Aug 28 2008
If It Ain’t broke????
Film remakes - why? If it ain’t broke, why “fix” it? The classic movie in question is “The Women” - from the 1936 play written by Clare Boothe Luce, and then the 1939 screenplay by Anita Loos.
The original, directed by George Cukor, is great fun, with Norma Shearer, Rosalind Russell, Joan Crawford, Paulette Goddard, and a whole slew of other terrific actresses. Any attempt to update, revamp, revisit, recreate the magic of this clever, witty film - about a husband who strays and how his wife handles the betrayal - is fraught with danger. The audience (me) may come away with a feeling of disappointment.
Yes, the scenario is still a familiar one, unfortunately, and the situations may seem dated, but the story is also about friendship among “women”, not girls, women. (The concept did not originate with “Sex & the City”.) Some of the aid/advice given is successful, some disastrous, but, that is what makes the movie entertaining.
The current remake of “The Women”, directed by Diane English, comes to theaters in September, 2008. The stellar cast includes, Meg Ryan, Annette Bening, Debra Messing and Jada Pinkett Smith. I’m hoping whatever was done to bring this story into the 21st century, that it still remains a great story for adults and it still makes me laugh.
BTW - In 1956, the movie was made into a musical called, “The Opposite Sex” with June Allyson playing the wronged wife.
