 Movie
Reviews
with Evelyn Gough
In Her Shoes (M)
Directed by Curtis Hanson
Maggie (Cameron Diaz) has an innate talent for choosing the perfect shoes...
It's great to see one of my favourite directors, plus three of today's best actresses, all united to bring us the wonderfully satisfying drama/comedy In Her Shoes.
Cameron Diaz and Toni Collette star as Maggie and Rose Feller, two sisters who could not be less alike if they tried. Rose (Collette) is an overweight, meticulously tidy lawyer. Her younger sister Maggie (Diaz) is a flake who can't hold down a job and basically lives off her stunning looks.
When Maggie is thrown out of home by her wicked step mother (Candice Azzara) she moves in with Rose, quickly turning Rose's ordered life into one big chaotic mess. But when Maggie crosses the line and does the unthinkable, Rose has had enough and throws her out, then quits her job at the law firm and takes up walking dogs for a living. She has no idea that Maggie has gone to Florida to see the grandmother (Shirley Maclaine) they never knew they had.
In Her Shoes positively screams chick-flick but guys don't despair. If your girlfriend drags you to this movie just sit back and enjoy the view. Even I have to admit Cameron Diaz looks hot in a teeny-weeny bikini. And personally I've had my fill of no-brainer blockbusters full of car chases and gun battles. In Her Shoes is quality drama, well written, superbly acted and boasting a wonderful cast. Despite being nearly two-and-a-half hours long I was never bored. Diaz, Collette and Maclaine turn in riveting and extremely believable performances.
Just as she did in Muriel's Wedding, Toni Collette threw herself into her role, gaining the extra kilos needed to portray the self-conscious Rose, then losing them as the character finds happiness and true love for the very first time.
Yep, this is feel-good cinema minus the schmalz factor, so it's an endangered species in today's Hollywood. Enjoy this entertaining and highly recommended comedy when and while you can.
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