In Her Shoes

The trailer for In Her Shoes has enough sentimental parts to leave many men running to the door. I mean who wants to see a movie about shoes. I mean the words "chick flick" literally makes balls drop. Actually the whole drama genre is scary for a man who's pride and joy, is xXx 2. However, In Her Shoes has such universal impact that it is hard not to be involved by the time the end credits seemingly go by quickly. Seriously it was quick.

In Her Shoes is about 2 sisters, Maggie (Cameron Diaz) and Rose (Toni Collette). Maggie is dyslexic, jobless, a wreck but very sexy. Rose is a lawyer, fat and not that unfuckable it seems. One day Rose orders Maggie out, for getting her car towed while she was away on business. Oh My God! Rose's on-again-off-again boyfriend, Jim arrives at Rose's apartment, she isn't home. Maggie is. Maggie greets him in nothing but a shirt and a G-String at the front door. Rose leaves work, hoping to find an empty apartment, but instead finds Jim screwing Maggie in her bed. In shock and anger, Rose makes fun of Maggie's dyslexia and pathetic existence. To even the verbal war, Maggie calls her sister a fat cow. Right on.

Maggie runs to Florida hoping to find her long lost grandmother, Ella (Shirley MacLaine) so she can use her for some free accomodation and a hope Ella will give her some money, in the total of $3000. Okay, a lot of money. While back at home in Philidelphia, Rose temporarily gives up her high-profile-high-paying job to become a freelance dog walker, she falls in love with a man, however is clearly unhappy, because something is missing in her life. (I wonder)

Yay, we have a winner. In Her Shoes, with the help of screenwriter Susannah Grant is always funny and never loses its speed which is the common road many chick flicks take. The actresses are top notch. However, it seems Diaz will be considered underrated here, Collette and MacLaine are much better as their roles are more meatier. Diaz will silence some of her biggest critics though and maybe she is indeed worth $25 million a film. She is charming and is likeable all the way through especially in some of the early scenes. It is also great to see Diaz doing comedy, because she is very funny and is able to elevate her character even though her role is very specific and plain. However, it is Grant's quick wit that makes In Her Shoes overly enjoyable. There are several key sub plots that are explored and dealt with in such a powerful way. There are so many funny one liners here, that even Rove would concede he is unfunny.

Unfortunately there are is a major let down and it belongs to 8 Mile director, Curtis Hanson. There is a lot of predictabilty which the film could of lived without. There are also a few scenes where Rose becomes a very unlikeable character, however thanks to Collette's acting the scenes come out rather funny and charming.

The theme to the movie is family, and lets face it we have families, even if they have passed on or we don't see them anymore because aunty Flora is a drunk, sister's a bitch and your little bro is still that little mamma's boy. You will be able to relate to many of the characters that are laid out in this remarkable film. Who knew a chick flick would be this enjoyable. If you need more insurance, Cameron Diaz walks around in a bikini. Good to see Hollywood, come up with clever dramedies for a grown young man like me to enjoy.


out of ten

Reviewed by Dino White

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