Cinema Cindy Reviews ‘The Other Woman’

Review by CYNTHIA BIDDLECOMB

“The Other Woman” is the latest film from Nick Cassavetes (“The Notebook”). Immensely entertaining, it presents a familiar movie theme within a story that manages to surprise us.  In this send up, three women wronged by the same man join forces to set him straight, a move that results in their own personal growth and bonding as friends.

Movie Poster for ‘The Other Woman.’ Courtesy/Reel Deal Theater

Cameron Diaz’ character, Carly, is a successful New York lawyer, yet the role allows room for Diaz’ talents as an ace comedienne (including plenty of physical comedy). Carly, as it turns out, is devastated to learn her new lover is married. Her very astute admin assistant, Lydia, played by Nicki Minaj, is a strangely supportive voice of reason throughout.

Leslie Mann plays the wife, Kate, holed away in a Connecticut suburb, whose creative talents have been sublimated in her years of marriage to a businessman (who always “has to work late” in the City). She turns into a complete nut case upon learning her husband is a cheat, but her brother, Phil (Taylor Kinney), assures her he never liked Mark.

Kate Upton plays the young, sexy girlfriend, á la Bo Derek in “10,” with whom the cheat is cheating on both wife and mistress. The cause of all this mess, Mark, is played by Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, a ruggedly handsome man who wears several great suits, turning heads everywhere he goes.

Even with this set-up, the story plays out in creative ways. Carly has the decency to be truly horrified when she learns Mark is married; she goes to that dark place we all have been when unlucky in love. Will she ever find a man worthy of her? Don Johnson plays her father, Frank, who is supportive of her journey, even while engaging in his own adventures.

Instead of the three women hating one another, they find mutual appreciation for each other’s strengths and empathy for the pain Mark has caused each of them. The women’s bond comes across as real and deeply felt, although some of the scenes verge on silliness.

Despite the theme, this is not a man-hating movie. The men in the audience want Mark to get his just desserts, too. In one aspect, the film is about women learning not to hate each other for the things men do, and the men who appreciate them for who they are.

The film has a PG-13 rating for the little bit of bad language in it, as well as the mature theme. Although it can be a cautionary tale for young women to be discerning in the men they choose to date, the film is not for young teens.

But for those grownups who have been around awhile and who want lots of good laughs, this film is worth the price of admission. “The Other Woman” is being held over for one more week at the Reel Deal.

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