In The Land of Women has a powerful and poignant story about love and growing up and in some ways could be considered a 'coming of age' story for a twenty something guy finding his way. The film is entertaining enough, even has some cute moments to chuckle at but it never really finds it's wings and takes off and there is a few reasons for that. The script first of all and the film making style somehow seems so subtle and just crawls to each scene. It's not that it bores you or anything but it doesn't keep things moving at a proper pace. The other problem I think was in the casting. Given a more talented and ranged leading man the film could have made a real impact because there is some decent performances but they lack a certain passion behind them. The entire film is missing this element of passion that you really want it to have but never really gets a full on dose of it which is unfortunate. The film is just cute...it's just okay and it could have been really something. For Young newcomer Jon Kasdan who wrote and directed the film it is indeed a worth attempt and he gets an "A" for effort and coming close and still managing to make a very watchable film that is hard to hate but also doesn't really give you anything to shout about either.
I have no problem with Adam Brody. I was a huge O.C. fan and would love to see him get a decent film career but his range as an actor is incredible limited and will likely always play the sarcastic, snide, slightly withdrawn type that he played in The O.C. and then rebirths with a tiny bit of edge for this film. He has a certain charm when it comes to playing the role of the confused, looking for purpose young man who goes to visit his grandmother but I think he lacked a lot of the passion missing from this film. Up and comer Kristen Stewart who did a terrific job headlining The Messengers (See my review) plays the equally confused coming of age teenage girl Lucy Hardwicke. I predict big things for Ms. Stewart if she can find the right roles and she certainly has the edge necessary and probably gives one of the most passionate roles in this film but still misses the mark a little. The rather strange romance between her and Brody is actually a high point of the film and they have decent chemistry together and mirror each others feelings of their lives. Meg Ryan turns in a very decent performance as Sarah Hardwicke, and definitely gets the most emotion out of her character as you could and should expect. I know Ryan has a decent range of ability and I just felt like she was holding back even in this role. But still she was a great addition to the cast and was probably the best performance of the film.
The film certainly has it's moments. I mean the title says it all...Brody's character literally finds himself trying to find his way in the world, and heal from his break up surrounded by completely different women of different generations. His Grandmother, his young teenage next door neighbor and her mother, plus his worried mother and everyone else he comes into contact with. For all the romantic moments in the film you never really get that fuzzy warm feeling because I don't think any of the relationships that blossom or start in the film are particularly romantic. I think the film is much more of a satirical look at romance and growing up and finding your way. Still it's entertaining enough, definitely worth seeing, and won't bore you by any means. I only wish there was more to say about it because it seemed to have such potential that never really gets there but that can be said for many films of great possibilities. 7/10
I have no problem with Adam Brody. I was a huge O.C. fan and would love to see him get a decent film career but his range as an actor is incredible limited and will likely always play the sarcastic, snide, slightly withdrawn type that he played in The O.C. and then rebirths with a tiny bit of edge for this film. He has a certain charm when it comes to playing the role of the confused, looking for purpose young man who goes to visit his grandmother but I think he lacked a lot of the passion missing from this film. Up and comer Kristen Stewart who did a terrific job headlining The Messengers (See my review) plays the equally confused coming of age teenage girl Lucy Hardwicke. I predict big things for Ms. Stewart if she can find the right roles and she certainly has the edge necessary and probably gives one of the most passionate roles in this film but still misses the mark a little. The rather strange romance between her and Brody is actually a high point of the film and they have decent chemistry together and mirror each others feelings of their lives. Meg Ryan turns in a very decent performance as Sarah Hardwicke, and definitely gets the most emotion out of her character as you could and should expect. I know Ryan has a decent range of ability and I just felt like she was holding back even in this role. But still she was a great addition to the cast and was probably the best performance of the film.
The film certainly has it's moments. I mean the title says it all...Brody's character literally finds himself trying to find his way in the world, and heal from his break up surrounded by completely different women of different generations. His Grandmother, his young teenage next door neighbor and her mother, plus his worried mother and everyone else he comes into contact with. For all the romantic moments in the film you never really get that fuzzy warm feeling because I don't think any of the relationships that blossom or start in the film are particularly romantic. I think the film is much more of a satirical look at romance and growing up and finding your way. Still it's entertaining enough, definitely worth seeing, and won't bore you by any means. I only wish there was more to say about it because it seemed to have such potential that never really gets there but that can be said for many films of great possibilities. 7/10