In Her Shoes (2005)
Is it possible to appreciate a movie and not like it at all? I learned long ago in film school how much it hurts to receive criticism on a project you’ve poured your heart into, so I’ll try to keep my review mostly positive.
The acting in In Her Shoes is fantastic. Toni Collette personifies the role, so much so that you can’t even imagine anyone else being cast as Rose. She’s a hard worker, a realist, a secret believer in love, and struggles between self-loathing and enjoying the good when it comes. Above all, she’s the “good kid”, the responsible one in comparison to her flighty, stupid, floozy sister Maggie. I’m not trying to be mean by calling her stupid; she contains neither book smarts nor common sense. Cameron Diaz tries to shed her American golden girl image by portraying an incredibly unlikable villain, and it works. Part of the reason I don’t like Cameron Diaz is because I can’t shake this movie’s performance from my mind. Shirley MacLaine plays the girls’ estranged grandmother, and she gives a surprisingly warm and feminine performance.
My problem with the movie is the message of the story. The two sisters continually clash until Cameron Diaz does the unforgiveable and Toni Collette kicks her out, leaving her to flounder on her own. I won’t give any spoilers, but at the heart of the story is a “family is family” theme. I don’t subscribe to that theory. I don’t think being blood related to someone gives them the right to trample all over your life with the assurance of unconditional love and forgiveness. The entire duration of the movie, I side with Toni. I have no sympathy for Cameron, even when she’s tossed out on her fanny. Since I’m not on board with the entire point of the movie, it’s hard for me to enjoy watching it.
My favorite part of the movie is Mark Feuerstein’s EWF character. He’s ridiculously cute, totally Every Woman’s Fantasy. So whenever I’m forced to watch In Her Shoes with my mom, at least there’s eye candy to pass the time!
Kiddy Warning: Obviously, you have control over your own children. However, due to graphic sex scenes, and some adult themes, I wouldn’t let my kids watch it. Also, there may or may not be a rape scene, so keep that in mind.
More Shirley MacLaine movies here!
The acting in In Her Shoes is fantastic. Toni Collette personifies the role, so much so that you can’t even imagine anyone else being cast as Rose. She’s a hard worker, a realist, a secret believer in love, and struggles between self-loathing and enjoying the good when it comes. Above all, she’s the “good kid”, the responsible one in comparison to her flighty, stupid, floozy sister Maggie. I’m not trying to be mean by calling her stupid; she contains neither book smarts nor common sense. Cameron Diaz tries to shed her American golden girl image by portraying an incredibly unlikable villain, and it works. Part of the reason I don’t like Cameron Diaz is because I can’t shake this movie’s performance from my mind. Shirley MacLaine plays the girls’ estranged grandmother, and she gives a surprisingly warm and feminine performance.
My problem with the movie is the message of the story. The two sisters continually clash until Cameron Diaz does the unforgiveable and Toni Collette kicks her out, leaving her to flounder on her own. I won’t give any spoilers, but at the heart of the story is a “family is family” theme. I don’t subscribe to that theory. I don’t think being blood related to someone gives them the right to trample all over your life with the assurance of unconditional love and forgiveness. The entire duration of the movie, I side with Toni. I have no sympathy for Cameron, even when she’s tossed out on her fanny. Since I’m not on board with the entire point of the movie, it’s hard for me to enjoy watching it.
My favorite part of the movie is Mark Feuerstein’s EWF character. He’s ridiculously cute, totally Every Woman’s Fantasy. So whenever I’m forced to watch In Her Shoes with my mom, at least there’s eye candy to pass the time!
Kiddy Warning: Obviously, you have control over your own children. However, due to graphic sex scenes, and some adult themes, I wouldn’t let my kids watch it. Also, there may or may not be a rape scene, so keep that in mind.
More Shirley MacLaine movies here!