| The Stepford Wives |
| ~Not so funny not so original~ |
| ____ |
| By Todd Karella June 11, 2004 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| Once again Hollywood proves that it is out of ideas. Instead of creating something new they decide to reuse an old plot, but in this incarnation it's a comedy. From the opening moments where you watch Joanna Eberhart (Nicole Kidman) showing off her new fall television lineup to the affiliates, you just can't wait to see her turned into a Stepford Wife. Not only does she look bad with short dark hair and wearing a black suit or sweats, but her character is obnoxious and her show ideas are all designed towards male bashing. It's difficult to believe that anyone would have married her in the first place. But for the sake of the movie she is married to Walter Kresby (Matthew Broderick) a total wimp. After Joanna is fired when one of her anti-male reality shows backfires and results in one of the contestants shooting at her and putting several cast members in the hospital, her husband quits his job and moves the family to Stepford Connecticut. That is where they meet the founders of the community Clair Wellington (Glenn Close) and her husband Mike (Christopher Walken). While Stepford seems like an idyllic place with huge mansions, everything's |
| computerized and there's no crime, something is extremely wrong. The women are acting like overly sweet 50s version of themselves and waiting on their husbands hand and foot. |
| Sensing something is amiss, Joanna teams up with two of the other wives that have recently arrived. The first is a man-hating, slovenly writer named Bobbi (Bette Midler), and the other, overtly gay Roger (Roger Bart). |
| The three go on a search for the truth filled with stereotypical gay jokes and slams against the male gender. Just as they are about to discover the truth both Bobbi and Roger have a complete change in personality. Bobbi is now the perfect wife and Roger is a Republican running for Congress. While Stepford is very traditional and believes in old-fashioned values they aren't the least bit disturbed by homosexuality. |
| Dave Markowitz-Jon Lovitz |
| What's wrong with this? |
| Bobbi Markowitz-Bette Midler |
| Claire Wellington-Glenn Close |
| Sarah Sunderson-Faith Hill |
| Joanna Eberhart-Nicole Kidman |
| Walter Kresby-Matthew Broderick |
| Eventually it's Joanna's turn to become a Stepford wife and that's where the movie should end. Instead, Walter has a change of heart. Whether he's finally standing up to the men of Stepford or he's still too much of a wuss to stand up to his wife, I'm guessing the latter, he sabotages the entire system. The story ends with a plot twist, the only surprise of the movie. Most of the film is predictable and filled with one-liners that have been used many times before. The acting isn't much better as most of the women are cardboard cutouts. Even the intimate scenes between Joanna and Walter fall flat and add nothing to the story. This is an average movie at best that will leave you as emotionless and empty as a Stepford Wife. |
 |
 |