Cast--- Mel Gibson, Helen Hunt, Marisa
Tomei, Lauren Holly, Mark Feuerstein, Alan Alda
What Women Want is a very good romcom starring Mel Gibson, in a role which people haven't
really seen him in before. He plays Nick Marshall, one of the top advertizing executives
in Chicago. Apparently what Tiger Woods is to golf, Nick Marshall is to creative |
|
|
advertizing. He's also a misogynist "man's man," a
self-centered pig who thinks nothing of calling women "babe" and doing his
imitation of a koala bear (eats bush and leaves).
Nick doesn't mind screwing people over in the workplace, either. But he's in for a shock
when he doesn't get the promotion everyone expects him to get. Even worse for him, his
intended job goes to -- gasp! -- a woman!!! His boss, Mr Wannamaker (Alan Alda), explains
that it's nothing personal, but the market is driven by women now, and so he's hired one
of the top female execs in the business, one Darcy Maguire (Helen Hunt). Needless to say,
Nick isn't happy about this turn of events. While testing his new female-based products,
he has a freak accident from which he awakens with the ability to hear the innermost
thoughts of women. He's freaked out over this, of course, a situation which is exacerbated
by his having to look after his teenage daughter Alexandra (Ashley Johnson) while his
ex-wife Gigi (Lauren Holly) is on her honeymoon. Soon, however, as he admits to his friend
and coworker Morgan (Mark Feuerstein), he finds that this curse can turn out to be a
blessing. He strikes up a relationship with coffee-shop employee Lola (Marisa Tomei) by
reading her mind and guessing what she wants, and is able to help various female
co-workers like the lonely messenger Erin (Judy Greer) as well. He also uses his newfound
power to steal Darcy's ideas, but soon finds himself in a dilemma when he realizes he's
falling for her. Gibson is amazing in the role. At any rate, Gibson is great at romantic
comedy, in a role that could easily be envisioned Cary Grant playing sixty years ago. He
is, to put it simply, charming in the role, both as a cad and a newfound sensitive man.
He's also able to strike up some chemistry with Helen Hunt.The movie is beefed up by a
couple of subplots, all of which work. At any rate, What Women Want is a wonderfully sweet
comedy which one would definitely pay to see more than once. |