If These Walls Could Talk 2 (2000)

HBO caused a stir when it aired If These Walls Could Talk, a portrait of three women from three generations (all who occupied the same house at various times) who had unwanted pregnancies. HBO utilizes the same gimmick in the sequel, this time telling the story of women who love women.

The three stories of If These Walls Could Talk 2 are uneven. Far and away the most powerful and moving story is the first, taking place in 1961, starring Vanessa Redgrave as a woman "widowed" when her partner of 50 years suddenly dies. Redgrave is phenomenal, and her piece alone makes this sequel worth watching. The 1972 portion stars Michelle Williams, who finds dealing with the sexual politics of the gay community increasingly more complex when she falls in love with a boyish woman (played by Chloë Sevigny). The most modern piece, taking place in 2000, portrays a contemporary lesbian couple (Sharon Stone and Ellen DeGeneres) determined to have a baby. The light nature of the story detracts from the more serious issues of the earlier segments. Despite the mixed fare, HBO once again proves itself on the cutting edge of moviemaking, with this rather daring film that will both provoke and entertain. --Jenny Brown Amazon.com

Intersting and good...

This movie presents the lives of lesbians, all of whom have lived in the same house, in three seperate "chapters". The movie spans over 40 years. The first piece is about two older lesbians and is set in the early 1960's. One of the women dies and you see how people outside the relationship deal with the surviving partner. It is touching, yet a reminder of why we need to be so vigilant.

The second piece is set in the 70's. While it is interesting to see the development of the consciousness of the young women, it is a bit sterotyped.

The final pice is set only a few years ago. It is current, funny (after all Ellen Degeneres is in it) and sexy (Sahron Stone is in it). It deals with modern issues in serious and light-hearted ways. Taken all together the three pieces tell a very interesting story of lesbians and how their lives haved changed over the decades. I think it is especially important for younger women who need to know about the lives of the women who came before them.
June 27, 2008

Women in Love

"If these walls could talk two" was released eight years ago,and it's an interesting snapshot of attitudes towards lesbians nearly a decade ago. HBO turns lesbian romance into a "made-for-TV" movie. While the stories tend to be preachy (the second about gender roles,the third about childbearing),the acting is strong,and the soundtrack powerful.

1961- In the first segment, Vanessa Redgrave exudes dignity as Edith Tree,a woman losing her beloved home when she meets her partner's estranged nephew and his prudish,snotty wife (Paul Giamatti&Elizabeth Perkins) Redgrave's performance is poignant&sympathetic. When her partner Abigail Henley unexpectedly dies from a stroke, Edith must cope alone. She's compassionate despite the fact that people aren't compassionate to her. She can only refer to her longtime lover as a "friend." Classical music complements this segment.

1972- Tree's former home is now a Happy Lesbian Commune. Michelle Williams stars as a young,feminine lesbian who finds herself smitten with the manly Chloe Sevigny. Sevigny is a real gentleman. In this segment, Williams finds herself mocked by her friends for adhering to gender stereotypes. Sevigny stubbornly refuses to define herself as male or female. Strong acting from Williams&Sevigny,who consummate their relationship to the strains of Santana, but preachy and contrived.

2000- The Lesbian Commune is now an upscale yuppie home. Ellen DeGeneres is humorous&sympathetic as a woman who wants to impregnate her partner (Sharon Stone,who's clearly having fun) They have real chemistry. DeGeneres gets the best lines. However,it feels contrived; Stone gets pregnant after only four tries (IVF is more complicated) Both watch children at a playground for some reason. Again,it gets preachy about prejudice&parenthood.

"Walls could talk two" is a mixed bag. For the most part,the situations and dialogue feel contrived. There's a sense of artificiality. It's more magical realism than realism. It has more of the feel of a '50s educational film than a drama. Still,"Walls" is an interesting artifact about how attitudes towards lesbians have changed. People are more tolerant now of lesbian marriage&parenthood than they were a decade ago. June 5, 2008

If These Walls Could Talk 2

This movie portraits accurately the lesbian relationships at 3 different ages. From the older couple caught in a typical end of life pathos to the younger lesbians falling in love, this was a first rate flick. Sharon Stone did an excellent portrayal as the 'mom' in one couples' trial and error of becoming pregnant. Watch this several times - you'll get more meaning out of it each time! Sad, fun, and sexy! March 9, 2008

Worth it for the 1972 segment alone. Best depiction of the era I've seen.

Although the Redgrave "1960" segment gets most of the discussion for this triptych, I was astonished by how amazing the second piece "1972" was. I was living in a Women's Studies dorm on a college campus that year. I'd be the first to call an off note or historical inaccuracy. There isn't a single nuance of this part that is false. From the clothing to the feminist/Lesbian standoffs to the Lesbian bar...all pitch perfect. Michelle Williams and Chloe Sevigny were terrific...lovely work from both of them.

The 3rd segment with Sharon Stone and Ellen Degeneres fell very flat for me. Stone did nice work but the story just didn't work for me. It is possible that following such an amazing act was not fair. I found myself wanting more of the 1972 piece and less of the Stone/Degeneres one.

Redgrave has been properly lauded for the "1960" piece but I think Paul Giamatti gets overlooked too often. He took a thankless role and gave it warmth. I thought it would have been unwatchable without him.
February 12, 2008

If These Walls Could Talk 2

Definitely a personal favorite. I love anything with Ellen and Sharon Stone is a welcome surprise. January 30, 2008

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