Sensitive character study for women
This movie was produced by women, for women, about women. It was made for Showtime and is clearly targeted at women in the 35+ age category. It is a good character study of two women and their stormy relationship as employer and housekeeper. Iris Prue (Sally Field) is starting a new life. She divorced her husband and abandoned her comfortable life to seek love and fulfillment with her paramour. Unfortunately, after she gave up everything, her new love didn't work out. She seeks employment as a live-in housekeeper, and she is hired by Paula Tanner (Judy Davis). Paula is an angry, rude and oppressive woman, who goes through housekeepers faster than she goes through laundry. Iris is desperate to keep this job because she has nowhere else to go, and dutifully endures Paula's condescending abuse.
Paula alienates everyone, so it is no surprise that both her daughter and husband can't stand her. Ultimately, her life unravels as her daughter runs away and her husband leaves her. Iris, whom she has completely alienated, is the only person to whom she can turn for support. The rest of the story revolves around their tempestuous relationship and eventual transformation.
Director Susan Seidelman (TV's `Sex in the City') keeps the story interesting, deftly avoiding bogging down, as is often the case in such character studies. Certain parts are very raw and real, capturing feelings only a woman would understand. She is especially sensitive in portraying the difficulties between mothers and daughters. However, though meticulous at capturing the deep emotions resulting from the characters' conflict, Seidelman rushes through the resolution to the point where Paula turns into a completely different person in the span of 10 minutes of screen time.
The acting was superb. Sally Field gives a wonderful performance as the flawed and self-doubting Iris, who is determined to keep her life from disintegrating despite her foolish mistakes. Field captures the complexities of Iris' character, a woman both desperate and proud. As good as Field is, Judy Davis is even better. She is arrogant, insolent and mean, but shows subtle signs that it is all to compensate for her deep-seated insecurity. Her portrayal of Paula's depression and angry blaming of others for her own shortcomings is brilliantly done.
I rated this film a 7/10. I enjoyed it, but I was disappointed by how Seidelman ties up the ending in such a neat little package, ultimately producing characters that bear no resemblance to the imperfect people that we spent so much time getting to know. I believe that relationships can be transforming, but this requires an absurd leap of faith.
Women should see this movie with a female friend. It is probably destined for a long run on the Lifetime Channel. Most men won't get it, and they will probably need at least three bathroom breaks while blithely suggesting you keep the recorder running in their absence. Save this one for girls' night out.
这是一部由角色驱使的电影，是关于一个上层中产阶级妇女Iris (萨莉菲尔德 饰)在离婚后，为了生活不得不当女管家赚钱的故事。她为之工作的女主人Paula (朱迪戴维斯 饰)则因为自己的婚姻失败再加上抚养一个处于成长叛逆期的女儿而内心充满愤懑失望。所以，Paula把自己 对生活的愤怒和不 满都发泄到Iris身上。尽管Paula不断地训斥和折磨，Iris慢慢还是和其成为了朋友。最终，Paula的婚姻还是走到了尽头，而Iris以朋友的身份陪着她渡过了艰难的离婚期…………
本剧获得了
黄金时段艾美奖 电影或迷你电视系列剧类最佳女主角提名 (Judy Davis、Sally Field) 2000
美国演员工会奖 电影或迷你电视系列剧最佳女主角提名 (Judy Davis、Sally Field) 2000
美国编剧工会奖, 最佳改编剧本提名 (Marsha Norman) 2000
Paula alienates everyone, so it is no surprise that both her daughter and husband can't stand her. Ultimately, her life unravels as her daughter runs away and her husband leaves her. Iris, whom she has completely alienated, is the only person to whom she can turn for support. The rest of the story revolves around their tempestuous relationship and eventual transformation.
Director Susan Seidelman (TV's `Sex in the City') keeps the story interesting, deftly avoiding bogging down, as is often the case in such character studies. Certain parts are very raw and real, capturing feelings only a woman would understand. She is especially sensitive in portraying the difficulties between mothers and daughters. However, though meticulous at capturing the deep emotions resulting from the characters' conflict, Seidelman rushes through the resolution to the point where Paula turns into a completely different person in the span of 10 minutes of screen time.
The acting was superb. Sally Field gives a wonderful performance as the flawed and self-doubting Iris, who is determined to keep her life from disintegrating despite her foolish mistakes. Field captures the complexities of Iris' character, a woman both desperate and proud. As good as Field is, Judy Davis is even better. She is arrogant, insolent and mean, but shows subtle signs that it is all to compensate for her deep-seated insecurity. Her portrayal of Paula's depression and angry blaming of others for her own shortcomings is brilliantly done.
I rated this film a 7/10. I enjoyed it, but I was disappointed by how Seidelman ties up the ending in such a neat little package, ultimately producing characters that bear no resemblance to the imperfect people that we spent so much time getting to know. I believe that relationships can be transforming, but this requires an absurd leap of faith.
Women should see this movie with a female friend. It is probably destined for a long run on the Lifetime Channel. Most men won't get it, and they will probably need at least three bathroom breaks while blithely suggesting you keep the recorder running in their absence. Save this one for girls' night out.
这是一部由角色驱使的电影，是关于一个上层中产阶级妇女Iris (萨莉菲尔德 饰)在离婚后，为了生活不得不当女管家赚钱的故事。她为之工作的女主人Paula (朱迪戴维斯 饰)则因为自己的婚姻失败再加上抚养一个处于成长叛逆期的女儿而内心充满愤懑失望。所以，Paula把自己 对生活的愤怒和不 满都发泄到Iris身上。尽管Paula不断地训斥和折磨，Iris慢慢还是和其成为了朋友。最终，Paula的婚姻还是走到了尽头，而Iris以朋友的身份陪着她渡过了艰难的离婚期…………
本剧获得了
黄金时段艾美奖 电影或迷你电视系列剧类最佳女主角提名 (Judy Davis、Sally Field) 2000
美国演员工会奖 电影或迷你电视系列剧最佳女主角提名 (Judy Davis、Sally Field) 2000
美国编剧工会奖, 最佳改编剧本提名 (Marsha Norman) 2000
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