🎯 Quick Overview
Trailer
- Director: Diane English
- Genre: Comedy, Drama, Romance
- Release year: 2008
- Runtime (length): 1h 54min
- IMDb rating: 5.0/10 (24K votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes: 14%
😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained
Rich ladies discover that men are the worst, but also kind of necessary, so they sort of forgive them… maybe.
🍿 The Women: Detailed Plot Synopsis
Mary’s Perfect Life
Mary Haines appears to have it all: a successful husband, a beautiful home, and a fulfilling life as a mother and designer. She balances her responsibilities while enjoying the company of her close-knit group of friends. However, this idyllic facade is about to crumble.

Infidelity and Betrayal
Mary’s world is shattered when she discovers her husband is having an affair with Crystal Allen, a perfume counter girl at Saks. This revelation sends shockwaves through her social circle, forcing her to confront the reality of her marriage and the complexities of her friendships. Her best friend, Sylvie Fowler, knew about the affair and didn’t tell her, which causes a rift.

Finding Herself
As Mary grapples with her husband’s infidelity and the betrayal of her friends, she embarks on a journey of self-discovery. This involves confronting her own desires and ambitions, leading her to re-evaluate her priorities and take control of her life. She decides to start her own clothing line, marking a significant turning point.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained
🎬 Cast & Characters
- Mary Haines (Meg Ryan): A wealthy designer and socialite who confronts her husband’s infidelity and redefines her life.
- Crystal Allen (Eva Mendes): A gold-digging perfume counter girl who has an affair with Mary’s husband.
- Sylvie Fowler (Annette Bening): Mary’s best friend and a magazine editor facing professional and personal challenges.
- Edie Cohen (Debra Messing): A heavily pregnant mother and friend of Mary’s, navigating the challenges of motherhood.
- Alex Fisher (Jada Pinkett Smith): A writer and friend of Mary’s, providing support and a different perspective on relationships.
- Leah Miller (Bette Midler): A theatrical agent who mentors Mary and helps her discover what she truly wants.
- Catherine Frazier (Candice Bergen): Mary’s mother who offers advice based on her own life experiences.
💬 Memorable Quotes
- Catherine Frazier: “It feels like someone kicked you in the stomach, feels like your heart stopped beating…no-one will be able to break your heart like that again.” – Catherine describes the devastating feeling of betrayal after discovering infidelity in a relationship.
💰Box Office
- Budget: $16,000,000
- Domestic Gross: $26,902,075
- Worldwide Gross: $50,007,546
💥 The Women Reviews
Personal Review
I remember being so excited about this movie because of the cast. I’m a huge fan of Meg Ryan and Annette Bening, but I was ultimately disappointed. The story felt flat, and I didn’t connect with the characters. I think the original movie is a much better version, but this one is okay to watch when you don’t have anything else to do. However, the fashion show scene was kind of cool, it was only one positive part of the movie.
- Who would enjoy:
- “Fans of chick flicks and female-led ensemble casts”
- “Viewers interested in stories about friendship and self-discovery”
- “Those who enjoy light-hearted dramas with comedic elements”
- Content warnings ⚠:
- “Infidelity”
- “Divorce themes”
- “Some mature language”
- “Brief drug use”
Professional Reviews
- Rotten Tomatoes: “Despite a stellar cast of veteran actresses, ‘The Women’ fails to deliver any meaningful insights or wit, resulting in a bland and forgettable remake.
- Metacritic: “The movie is a ‘Sex and the City’ wannabe, lacking the charm and witty dialogue that made the series popular. Performances are uneven, and the plot feels dated and uninspired.
- Entertainment Weekly: “The movie suffers from a lack of originality and a forced attempt at modernizing the classic story. The all-female cast struggles to elevate the weak script, and the characters feel superficial.
Audience Reactions
Some appreciated the all-female cast and exploration of female friendships.: Those unfamiliar with the original film found it to be a lighthearted and entertaining chick flick.
A few enjoyed the comedic timing and delivery of certain actresses, particularly Bette Midler.: Die hard Meg Ryan fans and movie-inspired fashion enthusiasts did enjoy the film overall.
Overall Consensus: A poorly received remake that fails to capture the wit and charm of the original, leaving audiences underwhelmed.
Awards
🛠️ Behind the Scenes
- “This is a remake of the 1939 film of the same name, which was based on a 1936 play by Clare Boothe Luce. The original film was notable for having an all-female cast, a feature that was retained in the remake.”
- “Several actresses were considered for the lead roles before Meg Ryan, Annette Bening, and Eva Mendes were cast.”
- “Carrie Fisher, who plays Bailey Smith, also starred in ‘Postcards From The Edge’ with Meg Ryan and Annette Bening. The movie was based on Fisher’s book.”
🖥️ How to Watch The Women?
The Women is available for streaming and purchase on various platforms. You can find it on demand through services like Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Vudu. Check local listings for cable on-demand options. Physical copies (DVD, Blu-ray) may also be available from retailers.

🎥 Similar Movies
If you enjoyed The Women, you might like these similar films:
- The Women (1939): This is the original film based on the play. It features a similar story with an all-female cast and explores themes of marriage, friendship, and betrayal.
- Sex and the City (2008): This film explores similar themes of female friendship, love, and career ambitions within a stylish New York City setting.
- First Wives Club (1996): This comedy also focuses on women dealing with the aftermath of their husbands’ infidelity and finding strength in their friendships.
🛒 The Women Related Products
- The Women [Blu-ray]: Own the movie on Blu-ray and revisit the world of high-society women and their complicated relationships. Special features include behind-the-scenes footage.
- The Women (1939) [DVD]: Experience the original classic film with an all-star cast. This DVD includes commentary and original theatrical trailers.
- The Women by Clare Boothe Luce (Play): Read the original play that inspired both movies and gain deeper insights into the characters and themes.
- Fashion Design Sketchbook: Get creative and design your own fashion collection, inspired by the stylish world of The Women. This sketchbook includes templates and tips.
🎧 Soundtrack
The Women features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:
You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.
🤨 FAQ
The Women follows the story of Mary Haines, a wealthy New Yorker who discovers her husband is having an affair. It explores themes of friendship, betrayal, and self-discovery as she navigates this crisis and finds her own path.
The Women is available for streaming on various platforms like Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Vudu. Check local listings for cable on-demand options. It can also be purchased on DVD/Blu-ray.
Yes, The Women (2008) is a remake of the 1939 film of the same name, which was based on a play by Clare Boothe Luce. The remake updates the story for a modern audience.
🔥 Bonus Content
Don’t think women are easy to bully#movie #shorts #viralvideo
Wow, this short really hits hard! It’s a super-quick take on standing up for yourself. Check it out and see if it resonates with the strong female characters from the movie!
How Vikings test women for loyalty😳#thevikings #movie
This Viking test is WILD! It’s fascinating (and a little scary) to see how different cultures have evaluated women. Give it a watch, and see what you think.
✨ Rate
There are no reviews yet. Be the first one to write one.