What Women Want

Critics 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.

54%

TOMATOMETER

Total Count: 122

54%

Audience Score

User Ratings: 629,110

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Movie Info

Nick Marshall (Mel Gibson) gets a whole new outlook on life when a fluke accident gives him the ability to read women's minds. At first, this "gift" provides Nick with way too much information, but he begins to realize that he can use it to good effect, especially when it comes to outwitting his new boss, Darcy Maguire (Helen Hunt).
  • Rating:
    PG-13 (Sexual Content|Language)
  • Genre:
    romance
  • Original Language:
    English
  • Director:
    Nancy Meyers
  • Producer:
    Susan Cartsonis, Bruce Davey, Gina Matthews, Nancy Meyers
  • Release Date (Theaters):
     original
  • Release Date (Streaming):
  • Box Office (Gross USA):
    $$182,805,123
  • Runtime:
  • Production Co:
    Paramount Pictures, Icon Entertainment International, Wind Dancer Productions
  • Sound Mix:
    Dolby SR, DTS, Dolby Stereo, Surround, SDDS, Dolby A, Dolby Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    Flat (1.85:1)

Cast & Crew

Mel Gibson
Nick Marshall
Helen Hunt
Darcy Maguire
Marisa Tomei
Lola
Mark Feuerstein
Morgan
Lauren Holly
Gigi
Ashley Johnson
Alex
Alan Alda
Dan Wanamaker
Judy Greer
Erin
Delta Burke
Eve
Valerie Perrine
Margo
Nancy Meyers
Director
Josh Goldsmith
Writer
Nancy Meyers
Writer
Cathy Yuspa
Writer
Susan Cartsonis
Producer
Bruce Davey
Producer
Gina Matthews
Producer
Stephen McEveety
Executive Producer
Nancy Meyers
Producer
Dean Cundey
Cinematographer
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Critic Reviews for What Women Want

All Critics (122) | Top Critics (34) | Fresh (66) | Rotten (56)

View All Critic Reviews (122)

Audience Reviews for What Women Want

  • Feb 21, 2015
    It's not easy to like Mel Gibson. How is it possible he was once the sexiest man alive? In this we get to see him wear pantyhose and red nail polish and electrocute himself a few times. It's worth watching for the gorgeous set designs.
    Juli R Super Reviewer
  • Mar 16, 2012
    An ingenious premise wasted on fluffy, inconsequential fare, "What Women Want" had the potential to be so much more. The film follows Nick Marshall (Mel Gibson), a chauvinist ad exec who accidentally gains the ability to hear women's thoughts after being passed over for a work promotion in favour of newly-hired Darcy (Helen Hunt). At first, Nick uses his new-found power for personal gain, both personally and professionally, as he steals ideas from Darcy and passes them off as his own. I won't give away the ending (unsatisfying as it is), but suffice it say that it wraps things up in conventional rom-com style. One positive about this movie is Gibson's performance, who embodies the "man's man" charmer persona and carries this film for long stretches. Hunt as Darcy is underwhelming, and there's also a host of uninteresting supporting characters that don't give Gibson a whole lot of help. However, the script is the biggest problem here. Such a storyline could have been the springboard for a great satire with meaningful things to say about the battle of sexes, but "Women" is content to take the easy road and, in process, disappoint a lot of moviegoers. Whether or not it gets a lot of such information "right", the point is that "What Women Want" is frustratingly conventional. Skip it.
    Matt F Super Reviewer
  • Dec 23, 2011
    More comic than romantic, Mel Gibson's feminine performance is a seller!! I like humiliation comedies that are well acted and plotted, although conventional, still worth watching!!
    Sylvester K Super Reviewer
  • Oct 09, 2011
    thought this was pretty funny, very creative and original storyline too
    Paul A Super Reviewer
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