“The Women” opened in theaters last Friday. It is a remake from the 1939 version which in fact was based on the novel by Clare Boothe Luce. Unlike most remakes, “The Women” did an amazing job.
Both versions center around one main plot. Mary Haines’ husband is having an affair with the money-hungry, deceitful “perfume girl” and Mary’s friends are the first to hear about it.
In the 2008 version, the perfume girl named Crystal is played by Eva Mendez. When Mary confronts her husband (who is never actually shown in the film), they decide to divorce.
In the 1939 version, Mary’s friends are much more “catty” about the situation.
In the beginning, it is all about gossip and not about friendship. What I enjoyed about the 2008 version was that it modernized the way women are today. Yes, there was gossip, but Mary’s friends were also very concerned about her.
Also, in the 1939 version, Stephen ends up marrying the other woman and staying with her until he gets tired of her. In the 2008 version, Stephen is upset the entire time about the situation.
He only had the affair because he needed to feel wanted again.
He was still in love with Mary, who is played by Meg Ryan, and after she found out about the affair, had been trying to patch things up the entire time.
Not only did the plot differ in several ways, but Mary’s friends also became modernized. In the 1939 version, they were all in a sense “ideal.” They are the 1939 women of America.
In the 2008 version, Mary’s friends all have distinct personalities. Sylvia, played by Annette Bening, works at a magazine and is, for the most part, successful.
Edie, played by Debra Messing, although still having many children, also confesses to having an affair.
Alex, played by Jada Pinkett Smith, plays an out-and-proud lesbian.
Another difference is that Mary’s daughter, Molly has changed a lot in the remake. In the 1939 version, Molly was the best daughter in the world. She understood that her parents were going through rough times, and tried to deal with it as best as possible. In the 2008 version, Molly is a rebellious child.
She is angry with her mother for doing this. She smoks cigarettes and burns tampons.
One aspect that I most enjoyed about the film were its humorous moments. The remake did a very good job at this.
For instance, during a fight between Mary and Sylvia, it turned from yelling insults to yelling compliments, to crying, to becoming friends again. This was hilarious to most women in the theater because we have all done this before.
Also, it was interesting that all the characters in the film, including the extras, were all women.
Filled with moments of humor, drama, and friendship, “The Women” is a chick-flick that almost all women will enjoy.
Melanie Peterson is a second-year student majoring in communication studies. She can be reached at MP649178@wcupa.edu