What Women Want Review
by John Sylva (DeWyNGaLe AT aol DOT com)January 1st, 2001
WHAT WOMEN WANT (2000)
Reviewed by John Sylva
Rating: B
Nancy Meyers' romantic comedy What Women Want tells the story of hot-shot, chauvinist Sloane Carter advertising executive, Nick Marshall (Mel Gibson), who is eagerly anticipating promotion to the position of creative director from his boss (Alan Alda). Just as his confidence level couldn't get any higher, the rumored man-eater Darcy Maguire (Helen Hunt) sweeps creative director right out from under him. How could a woman of all people become the boss of Nick? Well in the eyes of Nick, she can't. So begins his tantrum of self-pity, appropriately set to Meredith Brooks' tune "Bitch," using female hygiene products Darcy has given everyone at the firm to come up with ideas to market them. After a few drinks and a dance, on goes the nail polish, off comes the leg hair, up goes the panty hose, and finally, tumbling down into the bathtub goes Nick (accompanied by a running hairdryer) and flying up come the electrical currents throughout his body. The next morning, Nick discovers (after a hilarious bit with Loretta Devine's doorwoman) he can hear what women think-every little detail, he hears. But will he use this gift to deceive Darcy, using her own ideas to become the top dog at Sloane Carter? Of course! But what Nick doesn't know is that he's slowly starting to fall for her....
Mel Gibson and Helen Hunt have never been so fun to watch on screen, as both take hold of their characters and run with them, making for a largely likable pair of leads. It's obvious how much fun Gibson is having playing Nick Marshall, particularly during his dance to Frank Sinatra's "I Won't Dance." Hunt has a notably strong on-screen presence in the film, creating an amiable, well-rounded love interest for Gibson's Nick without falling into the "love-interest" stereotype. Gibson and Hunt share an almost larger-than-life onscreen chemistry that propels What Women Want to new heights.
The supporting roles fare just as well: Marisa Tomei (Oscar winner for My Cousin Vinny) gives an engaging, standout comic performance as the coffee-shop worker Lola whom Nick seems to think is attracted to him; 17 year old Ashley Johnson is quite a find as Nick's daughter Alex, bringing a great deal of charisma and charm as the daughter embarrassed beyond words by her dad, particularly when she and her boyfriend walk in on Nick in the act of womanizing himself; and Judy Greer gives the unnecessary character of Erin a sweetness that almost allows one to forgive the presence of her character's subplot in the first place.
Surprisingly strong is the musical aspect of the film, as numerous Frank Sinatra songs are utilized throughout, as well as Bobby Darin's "Mack the Knife," music from Tony Bennett, and for younger audiences, Christina Aguilera's "What a Girl Wants," which plays in a surprisingly touching scene between Nick and Alex.
What Women Want is an old-fashioned, stylish comedy that succeeds on almost every level. Meyers' film takes its only missteps in the third act, with Nick attempting to save a co-worker's (Judy Greer) life, as well as a rather sloppy ending that seems disjointed from the rest of the film. The ending, (from the screenplay originally written by Josh Goldsmith and Cathy Yuspa, then rewritten by Meyers) was reportedly being tweaked until the last minute, but the final result is less than satisfying. Nonetheless, Nancy Meyers, Mel Gibson, and Helen Hunt have crafted what is quite possibly the most fun, funny, and best romantic comedy of the year.
THE BOTTOM LINE: The hilarious, hugely entertaining What Women Want is romantic comedy with class.
Film reviewed December 30th, 2000.
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