The Women Are On Their Way

By drodriguez Sep 01, 2008

If you have been looking for a good movie to see with all your girlfriends, you may be in luck. Diane English, creator of the hit show “Murphy Brown”, will be bringing us The Women this September 12th. The Women may sound familiar to you since it is a remake of the George Cukor 1939 film of the same name.

English’s remake will certainly have star power, with names like Meg Ryan, Annette Benning, Murphy Brown, Carrie Fisher, Jada Pinkett Smith, Bette Midler, Debra Messing, and Eva Mendes all topping the list.

George Cukor’s original film also had many big female stars of that time, including Joan Crawford, Norma Shearer, and Paulette Goddard. Cukor’s original cast was made up of more than 130 speaking roles for women. Though men and relationships were discussed often, there was not a single man seen in the movie. Cukor went as far as only including female figures in portraits seen in the background of the shots as well as only having female animals on set who played the parts of the women’s’ pets.

Diane English’s film will have much of this same attention to detail with no man in sight throughout the movie. While shooting a scene in the Boston Public Library English had all portraits and sculptures of men replaced with the female form.

Though English is sticking to a lot of Cukor’s original hit, she has updated the story and the characters’ lifestyles to give it a more modern feel. In the original movie, the characters were portrayed as high society Manhattanite housewives. In the newer version, the main character played by Meg Ryan has a successful career in the fashion industry along with many of her friends who also hold down careers and family. The only bachelorette in this updated version is portrayed as a modern day lesbian.

English describes her take on the original film during an interview with renowned film critic Emanuel Levy from his website (www.EmanuelLevy.com), “The original play and film were written as a poison pen letter to shallow society women who could stab each other in the back over a man. It was catty and incredibly fast paced and had a real rapier wit. I had to figure out a way to shift the focus. I wanted to celebrate women, but still try to preserve the hallmarks of the original, which included biting wit.”

What do you think of Diane English’s latest project The Women?

Does it sound like a movie you would want to see with all your friends?

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Comments

by sjsmtlaurel | Mount Laurel, NJ

Sep 11, 2008

I am looking forward to this movie and hope to see it with my best friend. I hope that it will live up to expectations.

by Littlemac | Macungie, PA

Sep 10, 2008

I'll go see it with a group of "mygirls" and then stop for a Cosmo and a discussion of our thoughts about the movie and a lot of other stuff. It may not live up to all the hype but who cares. It's a night out!!!

littlemac sept 10

by peachygirl | AUGUSTA, GA

Sep 09, 2008

Watching the trailer for The Women, I can't wait to see with my friends.

by exhaustedmomma | Tullahoma, TN

Sep 08, 2008

CANNOT wait! We too are having a "girl's-night-out" with dinner, drinks, and the movie! Can't wait to "talk" about it here later! Hope it's as good as we're all anticipating it to be!

by kgraesser | PROSPER, TX

Sep 08, 2008

Is it just me or do all of the actresses look so airbrushed in that poster that they no longer look human?

by coGsavingmoney | Sumter, SC

Sep 07, 2008

When I read on The Women's web site that this was loosely based on the original I purchased it and watched it yesterday. It is a HOOT!! I do recommend the original film. I love Rosalind Russell - she has real hutzpah!! I cannot wait to see the new version either! God bless.

by highlights | PATERSON, NJ

Sep 05, 2008

I'm really excited about seeing this film. The cast is really great. The storyline seems really fantastic. I'm really looking forward to seeing this movie.

by kgoodman | Orlando, FL

Sep 05, 2008

Based on the description provided here, I would like to see this movie. However, the previews I have seen make it look like a typical chick-flick that maybe isn't as great as it could be. I will likely wait for this one to find its way to HBO, which shouldn't be too long.

by thomastrails | Raleigh, NC

Sep 05, 2008

OMG - the original movie with Rosalind Russell, Norma Shearer and Joan Crawford is a must-see! I am really looking forward to seeing this movie!

by bethie22 | Goodlettsville, TN

Sep 03, 2008

As every wonderful & strong minded woman says; I too wait for movie's opening day!! I love the entire 'all-star' cast.

by mcmgirl | San Antonio, TX

Sep 03, 2008

I'm very excited to see this movie. I saw the original George Cukor film with Norma Shearer and Joan Crawford and then the remake (titled "The Opposite Sex") with June Allyson and a very young Joan Collins. The trailer looks great and the website makes it seem even more so.

by msfriendly | MONROE, WI

Sep 03, 2008

I am excited to see this movie. I just hope the movie is as good as the trailors I've seen and lives up to the good press it's been receiving. Great cast!

by bette | angier, NC

Sep 03, 2008

I am a HUGE Bette Midler fan and cannot WAIT for this movie! So many huge stars and what a greeat story! Will be even better than the original for sure!

by CarolinaBlue | BERNARDSVILLE, NJ

Sep 02, 2008

I really admire a few of the women in the film. It will be a movie that we girls can see as we all eat popcorn and m&m's! Cannot wait!

by dmp515 | LANCASTER, PA

Sep 02, 2008

I can't wait to see this film! What a great ladies night out! I have already emailed girlfriend's to have diner and movie just to see this movie. A great cast can only make this film even more enjoyable!! Can't wait!!