A Good Woman (2004) Reviews

• Good, Light Fun

  andrevellozo2004-09-27

  Hi everyone... This is my first ever review, so I'll see how it goes... I just saw this a few hours ago here at the Rio Film Festival and I have to say, it was one of the most charming films I've seen this year. Those who know Oscar Wilde's work should know that it is mostly based on dialog, and this is no different.. but most of it is so hilarious that even people who can't stand talk-based movies should have a good time. The real star of the show here is, in my opinion, Tom Wilkinson. Helen Hunt and Scarlett Johansson are both very good (as is most of the cast), but Wilkinson is so endearingly silly that you can't help but care for him more than the others. So what keeps it from being a stunner? The same thing that makes it good: it's the type of film you forget very easily. Nothing is ever too serious about the film and even though that is a pivotal thing in making it such a good time, it also makes it very easy for the film to slip out of your mind once it's over. Also, another thing I noticed (and thought was kind of weird, actually) was how uneven the cinematography was. You'd have one shot that was really beautiful and lush followed by one that seemed a little rushed, and not particularly worked on (those who have seen Barry Lyndon should notice that some shots, in my opinion, are incredibly similar, though sunnier - hopefully a reference, not a rip-off). But, by all means, go see it. It is a wonderful film to see with someone special, and should provide some very quotable one-liners once it comes out. A romantic comedy that is as sleek as it is clever? If that's not enough reason to go to the movies, I don't know what is. Thanks for reading, bye!

• A Good Film

  liz-badgers2005-05-03

  I watched this film at a preview in Somerset last week with nearly 400 other people and was very pleasantly surprised. I had read the few reviews on IMDb and was a little concerned that I might not like it. But have no fear - if you like films that have a good and witty screenplay, high production values, wonderful scenery, excellent actors, beautifully made costumes and a score that enhances every bit of enjoyment in the film - then this one is for you. There is undoubtedly a growing market for this type of intelligent and enjoyable film yet the reviews in the nationals can often put audiences off what they might well enjoy. The principal actors are good, particularly Helen Hunt and Tom Wilkinson, but they are more than well supported by some fine British character actors who are superb and totally convincing. And if you don't know Lady Windermere's Fan then your enjoyment will probably be even greater as it is an engrossing story.

• Stylish little numbers like this should come around more often...

  smurfling2005-06-05

  Interesting movie! Probably to the contrary of many other viewers, I went to see this partly because I was intrigued by one of the supporting cast - Mark Umbers, a young British actor who plays Mr Robert Windermere. However, I was pleasantly surprised by all the cast. Tom Wilkinson is, as ever, a joy to watch - it's certainly impressive how he can persuasively portray both fantastically nice characters such as Tuppy, and also villains like Lord Queensberry in "Wilde". Helen Hunt was surprisingly beautiful as Mrs Erlynne, and a mention should go out to Stephen Campbell-Moore too. The locations were superb, the 30s vibe worked gratifyingly well, and in general I feel it did the Wilde original justice beautifully. Definitely recommendable.

• Engrossed for 90 minutes

  c-cburns2004-11-26

  Got absorbed into this film from the start. Creates a wonderful atmosphere of 1930's Italy (Amalfi coast) with the jet set spending the summer gossiping and romancing with each other. The story is delightful with a happy ending and great for a romantic night out. I loved the script and the way it had been uplifted from Oscar Wilde's Lady Windermere's fan set in Victorian England to the 30's in Italy - some cracking lines. Helen Hunt was the star for me - so seductive. Photography is great. Lovely light hearted film that makes 90 minutes just disappear which is always the sign of a good film. I thought the cast handled it very well with strong performances all round. Best line was " We are all in the gutter but some of us are looking up at the stars" - enjoy.

• A very engaging film with some memorable performances

  jebrooke2005-05-21

  I almost didn't bother to see this, but I'm pleased that I did. As noted by other comment writers, the strength of this film is the two fine performances of Helen Hunt and Tom Wilkinson, especially Wilkinson in the role of Tuppy. The film suffers the usual foibles of a stage adaptation, with some scenes seeming very contrived, as the characters linger at bars and exchange witticisms. On the other hand the writer and director have made a serious effort to address this problem and succeed in parts, (Lady Windermere and Lord Darlington's stroll through the fish sellers is a memorable example). I am not familiar with the original play and especially towards the end was quite swept along by the narrative tension, which again was a very pleasant surprise. So in conclusion, a clever little story, some fine performances and a stack of Wilde's incisive aphorisms on the vagaries of the human condition. What's not too like? It deserves to be widely seen, so get out and see it before it's too late!