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A Girl Thing

A Girl Thing

List Price: $19.98
Your Price: $17.98
Product Info Reviews

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Rating: 2 stars
Summary: Get Elle outta there
Review: As an actress Elle makes a great model. She can't act well and this is her worst offering to date. Thank god for the wonderfully precise Stockard Channing and a surprisingly adept Kate Capshaw, both of whom were acting slow circles around the nicegal Ms Macpherson.

And then there's the plot... Elle actually grovellingly pathetically APOLOGISES to her homophobic friend for being gay?! What's next? Apologising for breathing? Shockingly bad.

And then Elle whiningly tells her counsellor (Stockard Channing) that she knows she must think Elle is "disgusting".
Could the character be any more spineless and insipid if she tried? And don't talk to me about great lovescenes - Elle lies back, does nothing, zip, zilcho and just lets Kate Capshaw do all the work. Be like kissing your pillow. Your cold wet dull inanimate pillow. *g*
No offence to all the wonderful straight men out there, but this Elle section of the DVD seemed to me to scream "written by straight guys for straight guys".

Well I couldn't get past this part to watch the other parts - sorry. Better writing and a better actress and it might have been exceptional.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: the steamy song....
Review: For all who wanted to know about the song that was played during the steamy love scene between kate capshaw and elle macpherson, it is called "A case of you" by Joni Mitchell. It's on several of her CD's, but the version from this film is on her CD, Both Sides Now. I have it and the whole CD is great! The whole movie was wonderful, but the first segment was an especially beautiful story.

Rating: 2 stars
Summary: Over-long soap operatic mess...
Review: I am a big fan of movies whether they are centered on men or women, or both. Good writing is essential anytime. Let me say that if you are interested in viewing films about lesbians, take a look at the heart-warming DESERT HEARTS, directed by Donna Deitch. BOUND is highly regarded by most critics, and GIA, starring Angelie Jolie (before her Lara Croft days), is excellent. THE HOURS which features an award-winning performance by Nicole Kidman should be required watching, and IF THESE WALLS COULD TALK. Both films are about women. Both are exceptional.

But if you insist on watching this over-rated, over-long mess about a psychiatrist (Stockard Channing) who conducts sessions with various women (Elle MacPherson, Glenn Headley, Lynn Whitfield and Camryn Manheim) who have stories to tell, be my guest, but you have been warned.

The most popular segment among (male) viewers is Elle MacPherson's story about her relationship with a bi-sexual woman (Kate Capshaw). I could never understand what either woman saw in each other. The one sexual encounter between them is a flat-out disappointment (watch how Deitch skillfully directs her actresses in DESERT HEARTS). The characters are not allowed to come alive. Maybe the director felt uncomfortable directing a story about homosexuality. Maybe she shouldn't have (chances are this was the key segment that sold the network - this I have no doubt - so they had to leave it in). And as the opening segment it should have blown us away. It didn't.

The sisters segment was really much ado about nothing. I didn't care if they inherited the money or not because I didn't care about any of the sisters - the ending was totally ridiculous.

Lynn Whitfield, Mia Farrow, Linda Hamilton are capable actresses, so what went wrong? What are they doing in this TERRIBLE segment about Whitfield's cheating husband (Scott Bakula at his sniveling best). I won't reveal the 'triangle' that involves Hamilton and Farrow, but don't expect too much.

Finally, Camryn Manheim appears as a demented woman who seeks advise from psychiatrist Channing. Eventually she decides to take her and others hostage in one of the most unbelievably bad hostage segments I have ever seen. Manheim waves a gun in everybody's face for what seems an eternity (what a drag). And when we do get to the 'climax'...!!!

And what of Channing's character? About all we know about her is that she likes two cups of coffee in the morning and has conversations with a wise-cracking coffee store manager. Maybe Channing, who is a fine actress, had other ideas when she signed on for this mess.

The actors are all wasted here. Bakula and in a cameo, Brent Spiner, are reduced to rubble. It is clear A GIRL THING is about women's issues that involve mostly women. Lesbianism, sisters not getting along, cheating husbands (and that secret love triangle) and crackpot patients. Could've had something here, but it wasn't to be.

For those who feel it is about time somebody made a movie about women, think again. Aside from the far superior films I have already mentioned (i.e., far superior to this trash), SENSE AND SENSIBILITY, THE PIANO, MOULIN ROUGE!, CROUCHING TIGER..., and so many other films that feature leading roles for women.

I love these movies because they have substance. Even THE TERMINATOR has a strong female lead (again, Linda Hamilton). Men will be men, and women will be women. This is true. But where there is a LETHAL WEAPON, there is also FRANCES (Jessica Lange) or SOPHIE'S CHOICE (Meryl Streep) to balance it out.

There is indeed a grave lack of good filmmaking today, in films and on TV. This is not news. Bad filmmakers get away with just about anything today. This is exactly what has happened with the director of A GIRL THING. She has tried to get away with passing off A GIRL THING as something with real substance, when all it really is is another attempt at shooting for ratings. A GIRL THING is a fraud. It couldn't be anything else.

Rating: 2 stars
Summary: Over-rated, over-long TV drama...
Review: I am a male filmmaker, and I love movies, whether they be about men or women. But good writing is essential anytime. Let me just start out by saying, if you are interested in seeing lesbian action with a heart, DESERT HEARTS, starring Helen Shaver and Patricia Charbonneau, and directed with warmth by Donna Deitch, is it. Other films that come to mind are BOUND (a master work) and the unrated version of GIA (only on VHS apparently) starring Angelina Jolie. If you are interested in seeing a good movie about women, may I suggest watching IF THESE WALLS COULD TALK (better than it's sequel) and the brilliant THE HOURS starring Nicole Kidman as Virginia Woolf. If you insist on watching this over-rated, over-long mess about a psychiatrist (Stockard Channing) who conducts sessions with various women (Elle MacPherson, Glenn Headley, Lynn Whitfield and Camryn Manheim) who have stories to tell, be my guest, but you have been warned. Apparently the most popular with reviewers is Elle MacPherson's story about her relationship with a bi-sexual woman (Kate Capshaw). I could never understand what either woman saw in each other...bad character development...and the one sexual scene between them - the main reason to even watch this segment according to many reviewers - was a flat-out disappointment (watch the sexual sequence in Desert Hearts - what a difference in quality). The characters are never allowed to come alive. I guess the writers didn't really know what two women alone talk about because this was probably not it. As the opening segment, this story should have been much better - it wasn't...The sisters segment was really much ado about nothing. I didn't care if they inherited the money or not because I didn't care about any of the sisters - the ending was totally ridiculous. Again, poorly paced directing, and bad and predictable writing...Lynn Whitfield, Mia Farrow, Linda Hamilton - all good actresses - so what are they doing in this terrible segment about Whitfield's cheating husband (Scott Bakula)? Not the worst of the segments, but close...Finally Camryn Manheim appears as a demented woman who seeks advise from psychiatrist Channing. Eventually she decides to take her and others hostage in one of the most unbelievable hostage segments I have ever seen. Extrememly bad acting, writing, directing (again, the pacing), etc. Manheim waves a gun in everybody's face for what seems an eternity...what a drag. And when we do get to the 'climax'...And what of Channing's character? About all we know about her is that she likes two cups of coffee in the morning and has conversations with a wise-cracking coffee store manager. Almost embarrassing to watch. Just about every actress in this 232 minute movie is wasted. And what of the male actors? Brent Spiner and Bakula are reduced to sniveling losers, typical of a movie that spends so much time building up the role of the women, but doesn't spend any time with the men. It would seem that men have no ethics, that they all cheat on women, or are just plain losers (see Sex and the City, Chicago, the Vagina Monologues). But, there is hope. THE HOURS not only features some of the best roles for women, but also features memorable roles for Ed Harris (as Richard) and Stephen Dillane (as Leonard Woolf). Watch Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf starring the Burton's and Sandy Dennis and George Segal. Edward Albee's masperpiece should be on every screenwriter's must see list. And BOUND is more than a story about a lesbian relationship. The writing is superior, for women as well as for men...there is indeed a lack of good writing on TV and in the movies today - this is not news. And when people review A GIRL THING, calling it a great film about women's issues...that is really demeaning to the many women's films that are far superior to this misfire.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Amazing
Review: I came to this site to confirm what I was almost sure that I thought that I knew (i.e., that this is truly an instructive film/experience). Case Closed! I'm Convinced!

My purpose was definitely NOT to write a review.

But I gotta tell ya (only my opinion)- this film will definitely "grab ya" (if you will allow that to happen).

No matter whom you are, nor what your past (female or male) has been - if this flick doesn't have informational content for you, then my guess is that you might want to question yourself as to what you have learned from your experiences to date.

It has too much to say to anyone inhabiting earth, as we know it in 2003, not to be relevant.

The cast is unbelievably sensational (and, true confession, I've never been, nor do I aspire to be, a movie maven).

More importantly - I'm not an instant replay (or even a day- after-tomorrow re-run type of viewer).

Once is usually plenty for me - if for no other reason than that there's so much else out there to see.

Oh, and in case you haven't noticed, or otherwise been apprised -
our time on this plane is relatively short. Would I kid you at this point in our conversation?

I know that you've anticipated that in the case in question, I'd gladly make an exception. Even I could watch this movie again knowing that I would be able to more deeply delve into the characters portrayed, as well as myself.

Why haven't I heard more about this film before ? ? ? ? Oh well, later is much better than never. You'll be glad you checked it out.

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: what could have been
Review: I can watch Stockard Channing in anything

I can watch Camryn Manheim in anything.

Elle MacPherson and Kate Capshaw are, well, so beautiful it hurts.

This is an extremely badly written movie. Clearly, no technical assistance was received regarding therapeutic practices or what lesbians do in bed. Capable actresses can only do so much with this abysmal script. At times I cringed, really cringed. This could have been so darn good.

The sad part is, I still liked it and I don't have any significant reasons why. Except:

I can watch Stockard Channing in anything and

I can watch Camryn Manheim in anything and

Elle MacPherson and Kate Capshaw are so beautiful it hurts. I know they could do better in bed if they practiced!

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Good yet moving stories, not for the narrow minded!!
Review: I have watched this film several times since purchasing..As suggested in several reviews Elle Macpherson doesn't look comfortable playing a 'gay' role but saying that she does look good with Kate Capshaw - very seductive and HOT!!! At least some of the HOT scenes are realistic....
The other 3 stories are good too, I especially liked the last story, which was funny & witty. The whole DVD features an all star cast whose lives evolve around their Psychiatrist played by Stockard Channing.
I would definately recommend watching this DVD, it kinda compares to If walls could talk which was split into 4 different stories but its focus was on 'lesbian' stories.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Great dialogue and superb acting too!!!
Review: I stumbled to this movie on Lifetime, love it. Then I ran out and rent the DVD, love it even more.

The script writer had done a wonderful job. The first story captures me and the last one just wrap it up incredibly. I denfinetly would buy the sequel to the first story.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: More than worth it!
Review: I thoroughly enjoyed this entire movie. I knock off only one star for what I thought to be an uneven story line in the second half, but that was more than made up for in the suberb acting, especially by the amazing Stockard Channing. While the entire film was wonderful, my personal favorite section would be the second of the four parts. It is this section that I related to best and I was struck by the story, the emotion and most of all the actors. The three women, Rebecca DeMornay, Glenne Headly and Allison Janney, created a believable story that I literally watched three times before moving on to the rest of the film. Also, in the same story, Irma P. Hall was startlingly wonderful in numerous subtle ways. But it was Headly and Janney who drew me into the story. Headly amazed me in countless ways and Janney, well she just blew my mind. I found myself so emotionally invested in their story. Trust me, if you get this movie only for this part it will be more than worth it!

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: A great must see for all women!
Review: I thought the movie was great! I recommend it to all women. The varied story lines containing the different situations were excellent because they showed the differing emotions that women face in different situations.

The whole lesbian scene was beautiful. The relationship between the two of them was just wonderful to watch unfold and develop. Kate Capshaw made a very believable and convincing bisexual. That made the scene even better. She's very attractive! I didn't like how the relationship ended though. I would have liked to see where the relationship could have gone. That scene in particular touched me and really made me think about how I would have reacted if put in that situation.

The second scene was hilarious yet touching. Allison Janney had the funniest lines. I don't have sisters so it was a little harder to relate, but it was still great.

The third scene hit kind of close to home, but at the same time, it didn't keep my interest as well as the others. As much as I liked the idea of getting revenge on the husband, I didn't like the way it was done. Mia Farrow was too passive, and Lynn Whitfield was too aggressive. It would have been better if Mia Farrow would have shown more interest in the plan to get back at the husband instead of being forced into it. Overall, the scene was pretty good. I'm glad the husband got what he deserved.

The fourth and final scene was disturbing. I still am not sure what was going on in Camryn Manheim's head. She really needed some help. The hostage situation was semi-believable. I especially liked the boldness of the coffee store owner. That was probably the best part of the scene.

Overall, the movie was an absolute joy to watch. I definitely recommend it!


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