The Critics Speak

The Stepford Wives

Critic: Steph Lewis
On a scale of 0 to Awesome, I rate this: "CREATIVE" or "UNIQUE"
Released: June 11, 2004
Director: Frank Oz
MPAA RATING: PG-13, for sexual content, thematic material and language

Nicole Kidman stars as Joanna, a biddy woman who expects her husband (Matthew Broderick) to "snap to" and love her for her success, even though she puts her job before her family and her children. The song "Wind Beneath My Wings" comes to mind for her relationship to her family. After she gets fired from her super-big-wig job, she moves with her husband to a perfect little town called Stepford. Walter enjoys being part of this perfect world, especially of being accepted by the mens club and by being thought of (for once) as the head of his household. Joanna, however, finds Stepford to be very odd...since all the women seem to act like perfect robots! The movie plot unfolds as we wonder if Joanna will get sucked into this perfect-robo-woman or if she will escape.

I expected more from the director, Frank Oz. After What About Bob? and Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, you expect a movie that at least has a solid plot. This movie, on the other hand, bit. It was so full of plot contradictions that I had to wonder what educational level the writers/directors/producers had. "These women aren't robots! Their minds are just programmed!" Yeah, well explain to me why the one starts having sparks & robotic malfunction and another one is an ATM machine. Or explain to me why there is that creepy robot with no eyes lying on the table...looking strangely like it's meant for someone. Hmmm...Let's pick one -- are they robots or not robots ???-- and STICK TO IT!!! Is that too much to ask!?! Geesh!!!

The movie was actually tolerable until it hit those plot holes...then I kept on remembering that I was watching a movie, kept looking at my watch...just waiting for the pain to end.

There are some fun parts. Nicole Kidman plays a great Joanna, Matthew Broderick is as adorable as ever, Bette Midler & Glenn Close are always a blast to watch (especially Close in this character role). And, of course, you have to love Christopher Walken. If it wasn't for this star-studded cast that really hangs the crappy script together, this movie would be crap for crap.