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What Women Want (2000)
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Reviews Counted:117
Fresh:61
Rotten:56
Average Rating:5.6/10
Consensus: Even though Gibson is a good sport in his role, What Women Want is a rather conventional, fluffy comedy-romance that doesn't make good use of its premise.
Theatrical Release:Dec 15, 2000 Wide
Box Office: $181,483,882
Synopsis: Director, writer, and producer Nancy Meyers's (THE PARENT TRAP) sophomore directorial effort is a lively screwball fantasy featuring Mel Gibson in his first romantic comedy. Gibson plays Nick... Director, writer, and producer Nancy Meyers's (THE PARENT TRAP) sophomore directorial effort is a lively screwball fantasy featuring Mel Gibson in his first romantic comedy. Gibson plays Nick Marshall, a high-flying chauvinistic Chicago advertising executive who, like his musical idol, Frank Sinatra, calls women "baby" and believes he has the world on a string. Nick experiences a rude awakening when the creative director position he coveted goes to Darcy Maguire (Helen Hunt), a savvy outsider--and a woman--who intends to aggressively pursue the lucrative women's market. While trying to brainstorm ideas for "feminine" products, Nick experiences a freak accident that gives him the ability to hear women's thoughts. Determined to win back his stolen job, Nick uses his terrifying yet useful new talent to scrutinize Darcy and finds his smart, beautiful rival may not be the "bitch on wheels" he imagined. Meanwhile, he also must maneuver carefully within complex relationships with his estranged teenage daughter, Alex (Ashley Johnson), and a pretty coffee shop waitress, Lola (Marisa Tomei). Once Nick begins to listen to the new voices he hears, his previous worldview is challenged, and he finds that he finally might understand what women want. [More]
Starring: Mel Gibson, Helen Hunt, Marisa Tomei, Alan Alda
Starring: Mel Gibson, Helen Hunt, Marisa Tomei, Alan Alda, Ashley Johnson, Mark Feuerstein, Lauren Holly, Delta Burke, Valerie Perrine, Judy Greer, Sarah Paulson, Ana Gasteyer, Lisa Edelstein, Loretta Devine, Diana-Maria Riva, Eric Balfour, Andrea Taylor
Director: Nancy Meyers
Director: Nancy Meyers
Screenwriter: Josh Goldsmith, Cathy Yuspa
Producer: Nancy Meyers, Bruce Davey, Matt Williams, Susan Cartsonis, Gina Matthews
Composer: Alan Silvestri
Studio: Paramount Pictures
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Reviews for What Women Want
boldly goes where other romantic-comedies have only flirted -- straight into the heads of women.
Gibson and the film have an uproarious ball as he becomes uncomfortably acclimated to his new skill.
It should be called What Moviegoers Want, because it appeals to both sexes, without pandering to or demeaning either of them.
It's a romantic comedy with a distinctly modern, delicate but sharp, satirical cutting edge.
Gibson turns in one of those rare comedy performances that, every so often, manages to snag an Oscar nomination. And, you know, he deserves one.
So inept in delivering its messages that its female characters ... seem a species in desperate need of a man ... to rescue them and make their lives whole.
The movie is so overloaded with characters and equally underdeveloped subplots that it starts to topple under the weight.
[Hunt] elevates what might have been a cute, familiarly plotted movie into a romance with real heart, sweetness and genuine emotion.
Gibson's Nick laughs at his own jokes a little too much, and so the picture never settles into a tone of farce, irony or romantic insight.
It's lopsided, lighthearted escapism that's as breezy as the wind -- and about as substantial.
That the movie is made by a woman who can challenge any male filmmaker on Earth for ham-handed direction connotes some kind of sexual equality.
While Nick comes to appreciate women in all their complexity and depth, the movie is only interested in them as props and tools to aid in his eventual enlightenment.
Even when Nick is a genuine boor, he's lovable because it's Gibson pulling all the strings.
Still rigidly stuck in Gender Role 101, as Mel has to rescue several women by the film's end.
Latest News for What Women Want
October 20, 2009:
Selena Gomez Knows What Boys Want ![]()
In an odd and potentially rather disturbing twist on the Mel Gibson/Helen Hunt hit "What Women Want," New Line has signed Selena Gomez to star in "What Boys Want," a comedy... More...
June 15, 2008:
Trailer & Poster review ![]()
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December 07, 2006:
Box Office Guru Preview: Mel, Cameron, & Leo Battle For #1 Spot
A wave of new releases hits the multilplexes on Friday as the North American box office looks to bounce back after a slugglish weekend and get the final month of the year... More...
December 13, 2005:
Jude to Take an All-Star "Holiday"
Variety brings word that Jude Law will co-star opposite Cameron Diaz, Kate Winslet, and Jack Black in the suddenly-cool-sounding "Holiday," which will be directed by... More...
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