OscarÂ(r) winner* Gwyneth Paltrow (Shakespeare in Love), Elizabeth Perkins (Big), Whoopi Goldberg (Girl, Interrupted) and Kathleen Turner (Body Heat) "ignite the screen" (Variety) in this "poetically poignant and fall... more »-down funny" (The Hollywood Reporter) dramedy about four women who discover untapped strength within themselves when they finally let go of what divides them. In the blink of an eye, happily married Rebecca Lott (Perkins) becomes a widow or, as she puts it, "the 'W' word." She's not alone for long, however, when her eccentric friend Sylvie (Goldberg), neurotic younger sister Lucy (Paltrow) and controlling ex-stepmother Alberta (Turner) move in with a lot of baggageboth emotional and literal! But when Alberta hires a sexy house painter (rocker Jon Bon Jovi in his screen debut) to raise Rebecca's spirits, he inspires unforeseen passionand unexpected compassionwithin each of the women, as they learn to let down their defenses and let go of their innermost fears.« less
"I originally rented this just so see a glimpse of Jeremy Sisto, who I adore in all of his films, but i was surprised to find myself completely swept up by this soft, quiet story of a woman who lost her husband. So true to life, the way she grieves over him. Can't imagine losing my husband so suddenly and swiftly that you feel like all the air's been knocked out of your lungs. Elizabeth Perkins, Whoopi Goldberg and Gwynyth Paltrow all do well in their roles of family/friends who laugh and bicker and live life as best they can while helping each other along the way. Whoopi's marriage is crumbling and Gwynyth is afraid of falling in love, even with Jeremy, who is completely captivating in this movie and only gives me another reason to love it. A really good film to watch alone so you can get immersed in it and enjoy it."
What on earth?
frisky2000 | smallville | 08/30/2005
(3 out of 5 stars)
"Throwing together famous names does not a good movie make! This I had to learn the hard way after giving up nearly two hours to sit through this snooze-fest. Elizabeth Perkins is so unbelievable as a grieving widow that you'll be hard pressed to find sympathy for her. Ms. Paltrow was lucky to have boned up on her acting skills AFTER making this film since her role as the self-absorbed younger sister did nothing for her career. Whoopie Goldberg and Kathleen Turner spend their time as if they've arrived on the wrong movie set and are looking for where to go. I have no idea whether I was supposed to laugh out loud or turn the DVD player off completely by the time the foursome painted their faces and did a circle of prayer in the cemetery. This was so ridiculous that the only thing that topped it was the "rain" that poured down on them upon their awakening! The reason I gave this movie three stars was because Jon Bon Jovi does a nice job in his movie debut playing the house painter whose rear end gets more respect than this entire film should have gotten!"
Just like real life...
02/17/1999
(4 out of 5 stars)
"The movie accurately portrays the heaviness, oppressive emotional qualities of life after the death of a spouse. However, it also shows the hopefullness and healing that comes from true friends. This is an emotionally heavy movie, addressing such a solemn event. And if you can hang on through the agonies of the grieving widow, you will find, in the end, hope for the future and a belief that life can and will go on.By the way, Yes, Jon Bon Jovi was in the movie. If he is the only reason you're getting this movie, you may be disappointed. Although he handles it well, he has a very small part in this show.I connected with this movie in many ways. I recognized a sense of familiarity in the characters portrayed in this film. And I felt satisfied with the conclusion of the story."
Superb chick-flick!
Hawkeye Run | 09/28/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This production is superb in every respect! It pains me to see that it is not currently available. The studios are in such a frenzy of re-releasing every obscure title to dvd that I can't understand why they overlook gems like this one!"
Fabulous
Hawkeye Run | USA | 05/30/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I believe this is one of the best movies about love and loss and endless friendship. Losing the love of your life is devastating, whether that person has died or the relationship has died. These friends find a way to lift eachother up in their time of need and find a way to heal. I recommend this to anyone who needs a good tear jerker with an uplifting end."