Summer Movie Files 103: The Stepford Wives

I never even heard of the book or original film until the buzz for this version started a few months ago. I must admit Nicole Kidman is one of my favorite actresses, and I am a huge Matthew Broderick fan who hadn't done theatrical film since a supporting role in the underrated You Can Count On Me.

The first two minutes of the film involve a peak into the highly successful professional life of Nicole Kidman who works for a major network. This gives the film a chance to playfully spoof reality television. One of the the tacky reality shows results in an attempt on Kidman's life. The hellstorm that descends on the network for being so irresponsible ends with Kidman in the unemployment line.

The movie soon shifts to the premise when Broderick (her husband) decides to quit his job too and move the family to a quiet New England town. Thankfully the kids aren't a big part in the movie at all. The town is a dream come true for men. They get laid with ease, and spend their day playing battlebots, loafing around together, drinking beer, and whacking golf balls. The women are all there to serve the men, and I kept waiting Jimmy Kimmel to show up in a cameo as the mayor of the Steptford.

Of course this place is an utter nightmare to the modern woman. The thought of dressing up nice only to sit around and sip tea is a concept of hell for today's working class women.

Frank Oz of muppet fame is in the director's chair whose makes the film visually glassy despite the sick and dark premise, similar to What About Bob? one of his more successful non-muppet projects. However, for the most part Oz just serves as the handler of this players placing the talented actors (that include a Christopher Walken, Bette Midler, Glen Glose and Jon Lovitz in he supporting cast)in situations and hope they pull of great performances. One wonders if he dozed off the days some of the Bette Midler scenes where shot, since a few of her intended biggest zingers failed miserably.

Regardless the movie is supposed to be fun and silly and it generally is thanks to the cast. Lovitz is his usual self, Midler's performance will please her fans and Close plays the typical crazy bitch you are used to seeing. It is more in the way that some play of each other and the absurd of a fantasy land where woman are basically robots build to cook and clean.

It is nice to see Kidman has some fun with a role, after a string of darker roles. It was great to see Broderick back who provides some of the dry humor fans of his work are used to. He doesn't over achieve here or take the film overly seriously and hands in a Jimmy Stewart-ish performance.

It may sound as if I am ripping this film but I am not. The old fashion mindset of the role of the sexes actors that cast ability to ham it up. Which is good since we are not clear what Oz's message is if there is one at all. It is a nice breezy film with with a few twists and laughs. Perfect lazy summer afternoon movie when you are not in the mood for anything involving a fat bearded super-liberal or Hillary Duff.