What Women Want (2000): Dir: Nancy Meyers / Cast: Mel Gibson, Helen Hunt, Marisa Tomei, Bette Midler, Lauren Holly: Effective comedy about understanding genders. Mel Gibson stars as a creative executive. His mother was a showgirl so he has always been surrounded by women. He is demoted at work in favor of Helen Hunt who immediately sets upon advertizing for women. He arrives home to find his daughter and boyfriend huddled on the coach. He dances in a drunken stupor until he accidentally electrocutes himself in the bathtub. The suicidal aspect halts the humour but the biggest issue regards the unexplained mystery of the whole incident. Gibson does a wonderful job reacting to the voice thoughts of women and then using it not only to his advantage, but also to gain greater understanding. Hunt is not the typical romantic interest either. Supporting roles are cardboard including Marisa Tomei as an ex- girlfriend who must live with a lie. Bette Midler also appears although more would have been great. Lauren Holly was at her best in Dumb and Dumber, but here she is merely done in by a cardboard role. Directed by Nancy Meyers who made the miserable remake of The Parent Trap. Thankfully she doesn't stoop that low here. She has fun with the gender theme in this film. Strong theme regarding communication, which is the key in finding out what women want. Score: 7 / 10
Review of What Women Want
