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In the Land of Women
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MPAA Rating: PG-13
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Entertainment: +2
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Content: +3
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Adam Brody, Kristen Stewart, Meg Ryan, Olympia Dukakis, Makenzie Vega. Written and directed by Jonathan Kasdan.
FILM SYNOPSIS: Aspiring writer Carter Webb has just been dumped by his true love, Sophia. Heartbroken and depressed, he escapes Los Angeles to suburban Michigan to care for his ailing grandmother and to start work on a book he has always wanted to write. Soon after his arrival, Carter stumbles into the lives of the family across the street: Sarah Hardwicke and her two daughters (Paige, a precocious, effervescent eleven-year-old, and her older sister Lucy, an angst-ridden teenager).
PREVIEW REVIEW: Perhaps its just because I havent seen a film lately without a car crash or a barbarian slicing and dicing Mongol hordes, but I enjoyed being In the Land of Women. Its the first film Ive seen in a couple of weeks that could be called a drama. In it, people have real problems, including a woman facing breast cancer while dealing with an adulterous husband, an old woman facing death, and plenty of teen angst. The characters realize that they must draw together in order to cope with said problems. Though the screenwriter found it necessary to make several of his characters a little too quirky, the direction is lively and there are nice performances by all, especially Meg Ryan.
Sadly, they are not a group that seeks spiritual fulfillment. It evidently isnt a film today unless someone uses the s- and f-words. And here most of the objectionable language comes from women and girls. When people, even those made of sugar and spice, get mad or face fearful outcomes, they often release those frustrations through language. But I got the feeling that the s-word was a regular expression in this household. I dont know, maybe theres nothing really wrong with that word See? You see what happens when its heard enough.
Video alternative: The Bishops Wife. Cary Grant, Loretta Young. An angle aids a struggling minister. I marveled at the ending sermon given by the Bishop, played by David Niven. Standing behind his pulpit, the Reverend reminded his parishioners to focus attention on Christ. All the stockings are filled, except one. Weve even forgotten to hang it up. The stocking for the child born in a manger. Its his birthday were celebrating. Dont let us ever forget that. Let us each ask what He would wish for most. And then, let each put in his share. Wow.
Preview Reviewer: Phil Boatwright
Distributor: Warner Independent
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Summary
The following categories contain objective listings of film content which contribute to the subjective numeric Content ratings posted to the left and on the Home page.
Crude Language: A couple of crude sexual comments.
Obscene Language: Twelve or so obscenities, mainly the s-word and mostly this language comes from the women. A precocious, preteen girl uses an expletive hell.
Profanity: I caught no misuse of Gods name other than oh my God.
Violence: A teen boy punches the lead at a party.
Sex: The lead kisses a married woman. We are told that her husband is having an affair. The lead, a man in his thirties, kisses an underage girl, but it goes no further. There is one brief sexual situation.
Nudity: None
Sexual Dialogue/Gesture: None
Drugs: Several characters smoke, including the teen girl, who later promises to quit.
Other: An elderly woman dies. The main character, a writer, writes soft-core porno films. (Whats soft core?) He even discusses his career with his mother. We see an adult film scene. To point out that a man has become a jerk, they show him pictured with Vice President Dick Cheney.
Running Time: 98 minutes
Intended Audience: Older teens and adults
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