In Her Shoes Review
by [email protected] (dnb AT dca DOT net)October 10th, 2005
IN HER SHOES
A film review by David N. Butterworth
Copyright 2005 David N. Butterworth
*** (out of ****)
There used to be a time, not all that long ago, when women (and no doubt a few token males) would decry the dearth of choice female roles in the movies. Now, here's a motion picture that thumbs its nose at those previously articulated complaints: "In Her Shoes."
Based on the best-selling novel by Jennifer Weiner and directed with modest reserve by Curtis Hanson ("L.A. Confidential"), "In Her Shoes" furnishes not simply one decent part in party animal Maggie Feller (played with bubbly pizzazz by Cameron Diaz) but a second in Maggie's straight-laced legal assister sister Rose (Toni Collette, wonderful as usual) and yet a third in their estranged yet imminently influential grandmother Ella (the indefatigable Shirley Maclaine), who lives far from these Philadelphia flung fillies in a convivial retirement complex in sunny Tampa Bay.
The film, about the clash between the wild partygoer and her grounded sib and how the grandma they never really knew helps them to understand, despite the obvious differences, their mutually inseparable bond, dissolves a host of cinematic clichés by the potency--as well as the poignancy--of its performances. It's no discredit to Diaz, a welterweight actress at the best of times, to say she's upstaged neither by Collette nor Maclaine. If anything her contributions are markedly enhanced by the winning association with her priceless peer and the venerable veteran.
Although a successful attorney, Rose Feller has forever lived in the shadow of her flashy, outgoing sister. Chronically unemployed Maggie has little ambition but a *lot* of interest in men, especially those willing to meet her every need by the slightest hint of hot and steamy sex with a carefree blonde. These interests are not always monogamous, however, and after a particularly cruel betrayal on her part, Maggie flees to Florida to look up her absent grandmother, partly seeking refuge, partly seeking comfort and support, and finds in Ella Hirsch an inspiring mother figure who helps her get back on her feet (and back into her shoes).
Sibling rivalry, especially between women (whose intangible connection continues to mystify--and tantalize--their masculine counterparts), is often the stuff of savvy cinema and "In Her Shoes" extends the ethereal mystique. This is essentially a three-character piece, with men relegated to the periphery (although "What Women Want"'s Michael Feuerstein makes a brave stab at infiltrating the tight knit feminine circle--he plays a business associate of Rose's who has a hard time taking no for an answer despite his soft and crumbling exterior).
Shot in and around the City of Brotherly Love, the film serves double duty as a whirligig travelogue as Rose trots her dogs up the art museum steps or is caught in a pensive moment backed by the towering places of Liberty. Director Hanson and screenwriter Susannah Grant have culled all the right ingredients from Weiner's book, keeping the tone feisty and fun, with appropriate, more serious downtime. And Diaz, Collette, and Maclaine are all--both individually and as a winning ensemble--equal to the richly rewarding material.
Some might like to dismiss "In Her Shoes" as simply a chick flick but as chick flicks go, this one's got three fine weathered females for the price of none.
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David N. Butterworth
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Originally posted in the rec.arts.movies.reviews newsgroup. Copyright belongs to original author unless otherwise stated. We take no responsibilities nor do we endorse the contents of this review.
