A Good Woman
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Movie Reviews of A Good Woman
Movie Review: Pleasantly Surprised by Character-driven Storyline
Summary: 5 Stars
I was pleasantly surprised by this film. The deep characters enthralled me, especially Helen Hunt's character, who lives a conflicted life without regrets--if you can believe that--and who is immediately sympathetic, despite her nefarious reputation. The complex character-driven storyline kept me on the edge of my seat, literally. At one point in the film, I jumped from my seat, angry at one of the antagonists, a wimpy, red-headed prig, with a little dog she obviously loves more than she loves other people--I jumped from my seat in anger, certain she was going to hell. Everything came together in the penultimate scene, which set up a resolution I did not see coming. This is a story about love, trust, gossip, and the nature of truth.
Note that Helen Hunt plays a different kind of character in this film, one that not everyone may find enjoyable. And some of the characters are weak, thrown in for comedic effect, which unfortunately doesn't always work. And if the critics are right, you might enjoy Oscar Wilde's original play more, but you can't get that on DVD.
Bottom line: There is only a handful of films that have enthralled me as A Good Woman has. Despite the critics' balking, 93 minutes well-spent. I rate it 5 stars out of 5, because not only did I love watching it, I feel like I want to watch it again as soon as possible.
Movie Review: Truth and love
Summary: 5 Stars
Is there such a thing as a bad movie made in Italy? Probably, but at least the scenery's usually good. I can't imagine A Good Woman working in a setting like New York or London, but I don't have to. It's set in 1930's Amalfi, the perfect background for a story like this one. Professional mistress Mrs. Erlynne flees to Italy when too many wives are on to her at home. On the ship, she notices a newspaper photo of a young couple, and she knows exactly what her next move should be. The young wife is innocent and naive, and all sorts of innuendo and gossip go flying around Amalfi that season.
This is a woman's picture, and Helen Hunt as the adventuress has never looked more beautiful. Her voice, unfortunately, is rather too clipped and less sultry than it need to be, but in the end, she pulls of her role. Scarlett Johanssen is well-suited to her character, and both women turn out to be more than they seem at the end. Beautiful wardrobe, very subtle music, and a fine performance by Tom Wilkinson, as a jaded, expat Brit who has learned a little something about reality and happiness, add to the success of this production.
I'm now off to read the Oscar Wilde original.
Movie Review: If you had read the play...
Summary: 5 Stars
I just finished reading the Oscar Wilde play, after seeing the movie. I must disagree with the reviewers who feel that Helen Hunt was wrong for the part, and that this is NOT a good movie. In the book, her only discretion was having a child at the expense of her Upper Class lover, and then being categorized as a second class woman by High Society. What she did, in not revealing the secret of the play is VERY effective. It brings a tear to the eye. Don't try to turn her into a prostitute crashing into the Upper Class. This play was not the romp of "Earnest". In my opinion, Wilde closely identified with the character because of his "notorious" homosexual relationship with Lord Douglas. Is it his best play? NO. Is the movie good, in 2010? YES! It actually has more "Wildean": quips than the drawing room saga he wrote. The costumes are gorgeous, as is the cast, and Wilde was obsessed with detailing the exact fashions, even fabrics the characters in his plays wear.Movie Review: surprisingly good
Summary: 5 Stars
I resisted watching this movie because it was described as Helen Hunt is a courtesan ... and Helen Hunt is not my idea of a ruthless purveyor of her own flesh. Well, it turns out that dissonance is essential to the story. The script has been adapted to suit the two American actresses and Oscar Wilde's aphorism are made to drop gracefully as if naturally from the English actors' mouths. The clothes and the sets are gorgeous and perfect eye candy for fans of English-made period costume films. Scarlett Johannson has never looked so simultaneously delicately-molded and small boned while still voluptuous as she does in this movie. And despite the period pancake style of maquillage, Helen Hunt's style and behavior make it perfectly believable that she has the power to attract men and to incur the jealousy and wariness of women.Movie Review: Give it time to get going.
Summary: 5 Stars
My wife and I almost gave up on this movie as we watched it, but I'm glad we stuck out the first twenty minutes or so. It's slow to start, but that's because it's setting everything up. It's an excellent story, even though the movie isn't so well known.
Contrary to some other reviewers, I thought that Helen Hunt was perfect for the role and did a great job with it. I think an actor/actress is doing a good job when you don't notice that they are acting. That was my assessment of this movie.
Highly recommended for adults. It's not inappropriate for kids, but they won't enjoy it. I bought the DVD after I had already seen the movie; I knew I would want to watch it again.
Don't read all the reviews here or it will spoil parts of the movie for you.