In the Land of Women (2007)

It really is good for what it is!

This movie has no pretentions towards Oscar or any other awards. However, the story is entertaining; the directorial timing is impecable; the plot introduces multiple topics which are largely common, but doesn't dwell on any subject beyond endurance; beautifully filmed; no digression into sexual situations; no sexual overtones of a younger man interested in either an older woman or a teenager; absolutely accurate gestures by the teenage girl; great presence by Adam Brody; etc.

The film is watchable over and over again as pure entertainment. Don't look for what you don't find. Life is at least complicated in the multiple vignettes we experience - some our own and others viewed from afar. July 1, 2008

Predictable Comedy/Drama, Great Meg Ryan Performance...

With all the hype I've heard about Jon Kasdan's directorial debut, "In the Land of Women", I expected something far more than a 'by-the-numbers' tale of love lost, and healing, with stereotyped characters and a predictable plot; but two performances are so remarkable that they lift the film far above ordinary...Olympia Dukakis, as lead Adam Brody's death-fixated grandmother, takes a one-note character and gives it a comic spin that makes it irresistible; and most especially Meg Ryan, as a wise, funny mom dealing with the discovery of breast cancer.

Ryan is at that awkward, transitional phase in her career, over 40, with her patent sweet, perky roles now going to Reese Witherspoon and Kate Hudson, a period when she must redefine herself to survive as an actress. With "In the Land of Women", she reveals a depth, an assurance, that is a joy to watch. Dealing with her older daughter's rebelliousness, and husband's infidelity, the discovery of a lump on her breast could easily been an excuse for 'over-the-top' histrionics, but she never loses her character's distinctiveness. In her awkward bonding with the younger Brody, yet motherly reaction to her daughter's attraction to him, while cancer treatment robs her hair and health, Ryan never hits a wrong note. This is an Oscar-worthy performance, that SHOULD have been recognized!

So forget the hype, and savor this film for it's true merits...and enjoy Meg Ryan's triumphal emergence as a character actress! June 30, 2008

Pleasantly surprised

Well I really didn't know what to expect with this movie when I picked it off of the shelf at Blockbuster. But surprise...this movie was actually pretty good! It wasn't your typical chick flick romantic comedy. It was a refreshing and smartly funny story about a guy trying to escape but actually finds himself by moving in with his slightly crazy grandma who just happens to live across from a hot mom and daughter duo. Romance is insinuated in different scenes with both the mom and daughter, but that's not quite the point of the movie. Overall, I enjoyed the film and didn't want it to end! May 5, 2008

Almost human

As chick flicks go, this movie is really pretty good.
At least I didn't bored what with high school kids
fighting, affairs. grandmas dying and break ups with
popular singing stars. Meg Ryan hardly resembles herself,
but acts well. Adam Brody plays his lost puppy act. April 14, 2008

In my opinion, too many negative reviews from people that just don't understand

In regards to In The Land Of Women I have found alot of people giving negative or so-so reviews. I mean no disrespect whatsoever but in my opinion the problem is they just didn't understand what the movie was when they went into it. It would be like me wanting to see a comedy but going to a horror movie and being upset that it wasn't funny. This film is very misunderstood, possibly in part by misadvertisement.

The script is not written to be a melodramatic piece or to tug at your heart strings as to bring tears to your eyes. It is not meant to be entirely laugh out loud funny or completely realistic. (People that comment on characters not acting in realistic ways always confuse me, just because you don't know people in real life that act a certain way doesn't mean there is no one who does). Though in this film I admit it is slightly hightened character interaction, I have yet to see a film that does not have at least one aspect of hightened reality, the interactions being what they are is what allows the film to be what writer John Kasdan had intended it to be.

In The Land Of Women is completely successful in acheiving it's purpose, exploring and commenting on human nature and characteristics. It was written as Kasdan's point of view on certain aspects of life that he wanted to explore and i think the combination of topics goes well enough together to represent things people similar to Kasdan will relate to and things we may not relate to but have thought about such as cancer. The film is a commentary on the writers perspective of different aspects of life and human nature. If people stopped looking at it as what they expected it to be and started looking at it as that I think they may come to appreciate it more. Though alot of people may not like this genre i wish i could watch more like it, it is so hard to find a movie that cohesively represents the writers intent. I spend alot of time analyzing my life and the world around me and appreciate being able to view a medium that represents someone elses point of view in that regard.

Sure the little girl was pretentious but the script points that out, sure it was hightened reality but when has a film not been hightened in some aspect. Sure the characters may not act in ways the majority of people will find logical but the script even points out that logical is only what we are used to and the characters themselves comment on feeling illogical in some of their actions and not understanding their feelings. Something i personally can relate to, who knows why we do and say certain things and when it is contrary to what is accepted as the norm why do we feel we are doing something wrong if it's what works for us. Also the term logically is all a matter of opinion since in my opinion most people don't act logically, and the characters actions are at least always a reaction or result of their emotions (emotions aren't always logical).

I appreciate this film for what it is and hope others do, it is aimed at an audience that thinks about life and the various aspects of it. It is a commentary on human nature that is at times funny and filled with moments derived from most peoples real lives. Similarly toned films include The Lookout and parts of Disturbia (though Disturbia feels more aimed at my adolescence days). Other good movies I have seen lately are Blood Diamond, American Gangster and No Country For Old Men (which was a good mixture of the better aspects of all four). Thanks. April 13, 2008

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