In the Land of Women (2007)

There are so many things wrong with this movie and screenplay, that I don't know where to start. We heard such negative reviews from friends that we just had to see for ourselves. Given the strong stable of actors, it just couldn't be that bad ... or could it? So let me start with the positive.

The Good:

1) Actors - Great talent overall. Special kudos to young Makenzie Vega, who is on her way to a wonderful career. She stole every scene she was in. And Meg Ryan is always a great performer - but what happened to her lips? She looks like she got stung by a bee and had a bad reaction.

The Bad and the Ugly:

1) Editing - So poorly done, that it was hard to follow the flow of the story. It seemed like every ten minutes, the characters were making reference to a dialog or event that was left on the cutting room floor.

2) Storyline - Don't try to rationalize how believable this one is, it's not close to reality. Without giving anything away, the story is so painfully predictable that we were all cheering for at least one surprise or plot twist, but those never came. And the ending was so absurd - straight out of a bad TV movie.

3) Relationships - The characters' interaction with each other is so contrived and superficial, that it was hard to empathize with any one in this film. A good story draws you in to feel the emotions of the actors but none of us watching, from the teenagers to the adults, cared about any of the characters. And most of them were so neurotic and depressed, you just wanted to slap them across the face.

If you watch this for the actors, and pay no attention to the story, then you'll have a good time. And pay particular note to young actress Makenzie Vega, she's one to watch.

Fmovies: This film can't decide whether it is a serious film dealing with issues such as cancer and the affect on that on a family or a quirky film dipping its toes in the lives of normal folks like you and me. The film is a mess. Part of the time it is quirky film e.g. soft-core porn writing is the occupation of the main character, his grandmother is insane in a comedic way but not really funny in any sense, 10 year old girl who is very sophisticated and does yoga etc.

Then there is the serious side that involves cancer, dealing with cancer, marital trouble and generally the issues of all the characters love lives. The overall coldness of this family's lives is the main theme of this side of the film. There is also the matter of Brody's Carter who has just been broken up with and has moved away from LA to get perspective. How original. And guess what, he's writing a book about his experiences.

As you can see these are clearly two different movies. There are too many ideas going on here and far too many bad ideas at that. I can't imagine how this is in any way real or true. Adam Brody's part as Carter is to pass between these two ideas and act as a buffer between the funny and the deeply serious. This doesn't work. The whole plot is flawed. Every action taken by the main character is ridiculous.

The montage love scenes are old, the party fight scene is again completely ludicrous as you would see if you watched this. The production design is terrible, the camera work is equally bad but you can't stray far from the main problem; a completely absurd script. It's a horror to watch and I can't imagine how anyone could see this film as satisfying in any way or form. Adam Brody was thought of for this no doubt because of his fast talking and comic abilities which would have suited if this was just an offbeat drama. But no, they tried to make it son much more.

This is just a case of a film that tried to cover all the bases. Every part of this film has been done before and has been done in a more superior fashion in other movies. In the end this film is a comedy/love story/wacky drama/issue driven film. It is just meaningless and bizarre and it should not have been made.

To summarise it is basically a waste of an hour and a half of a life, whatever fee you paid to watch it and the time after watching this muck that you'll spend angry at yourself for getting it in the first place.

The Kasdan Family has made a significant mark on the better films of Hollywood and Jon Kasdan (writer/director of IN THE LAND OF WOMEN) holds those values of fine cinema intact. Having appeared as an actor in some films of his father Lawrence Kasdan (Grand Canyon, The Big Chill, Body Heat, Mumford, Dreamcatcher, The Bodyguard, etc), he has not only inherited his father's credo of making meaningful statements about life as we are currently living it, he has absorbed the fluid character development of those films and added his own sensitive touch with graceful dialog. He is a talent to watch.

Soft porn writer Carter Webb (Adam Brody in a very fine performance) lives in Los Angeles near his depressed mother (JoBeth Williams) and has just been dumped by his actress girlfriend Sofia Buñuel (Elena Anaya). When his mother learns of her mother's failing state, the distraught Carter offers to travel to suburban Michigan to stay with his grandma Phyllis (Olympia Dukakis). Once in picturesque Michigan Carter deals with his lovable but eccentric grandma and meets the across the street neighbors - mother Sarah (Meg Ryan in fine form), daughters Lucy (Kristin Stewart) and the younger Paige (Makenzie Vega), and errant husband Nelson (Clark Gregg). In this setting of a 'woman world' Carter is key to aiding the various maladies of each of the women while addressing his own disappointing failed relationship. The manner in which he intervenes by simply being present and tender and caring makes a positive impact on not only those around him but also on his own life and talent as a meaningful writer.

In what could have been a soupy chick flick Jon Kasdan has instead provided a script that has a healthy dose of homespun philosophy and has guided his multi-talented cast to offer some of their finest moments on film. This is an entertaining movie, but it is also a balm for viewers who have experienced life-threatening illness, broken homes, coping with the elderly, and ultimately coping with death. It simply works. Grady Harp

In the Land of Women fmovies. I admit to be surprised by how much I enjoyed this movie. Well cast, Meg Ryan in particular.

I enjoyed the dialog, the understated humor, and the story line. The grandmother's role left me somewhat confused, not sure I understand why it was written (or played) the way that it was. However that may be it was the device to get the main character Wisconsin, or was that Michigan? Meg Ryan finally had a role that she excel in. Just the right touch of someone who is more than they seem, and not realizing that themselves. Very interesting story between she and the main character...how they reach out and touch each other, impact each other's lives. Wish the movie had been about twenty minutes longer to better develop the characters and the interaction between them...but two hour movies just aren't the norm anymore and the 100 minutes must suffice. However, it was a 100 minutes well spent.

Carter (Adam Brody) says to teenager Lucy (Kristen Stewart), "It's a big world out there. It's messyÂ… and you can't let fear turn you into an ass----." Carter reminds Lucy that she should cut her Mom a break, because she may be dying. Even at a young age, she needs to appreciate that the world does not revolve around her, and knock it off. This is the context of Writer and Director Jonathan Kasdan's (son of Lawrence Kasdan) "In the Land of Women". This is Kasdan's feature film debut as director. The material is not entirely original, we have seen similar before. However, Kasdan's storytelling is deeply personal, strikingly poignant, and bittersweet. Much like his Dad, he demonstrates an ease in composing relationships. He has also assembled a wonderful cast. Adam Brody (of "The O.C.") is amazing in the lead. Kristen Stewart ("Speak") is maturing as a powerful young star. Meg Ryan, who plays Lucy's suffering mother Sarah Hardwicke, is awesome giving one of her best performances in years. I think what "In the Land of Women" does so eloquently, is illustrate the pain of those things missing in life, and our blind spots created by our self-absorption. The indelible image of Meg Ryan's Sarah standing alone in the down pouring rain, crying in isolation is stark, moving, and so very human. More than anything, I think Kasdan touchingly pleads for compassion in our relationships that is decent and forgiving.

Carter Webb (Brody) is a soft core erotica writer, who is dating beautiful movie star Sofia (gorgeous Elena Anaya). As the movie opens, Sofia breaks up with Carter. Devastated Carter sees his mom Agnes (funny and good JoBeth Williams). Carter volunteers to take care of his ailing grandmother Phyllis (the great Olympia Dukakis) in Michigan, giving him an excuse to get out of Los Angeles for a while. Carter befriends Sarah Hardwicke (Ryan) and her daughter Lucy (Stewart), who lives across the street from his grandmother. Sarah is dealing with possible personal tragedy—she has discovered a lump in her breast. Lucy harbors an unusual disdain for her Mom, even for a teenager. Sarah tells Carter that she tries to stay out of her way, as not to "embarrass her". Sarah's husband Nelson (Clark Gregg) is having an affair with another woman, and both Sarah and Lucy are aware. Lucy proclaims that she does not ever want to be like her Mom. The under current in Lucy's judgment is that Mom is weak. Sad and strong Sarah eloquently says to Carter, "I don't want to look back on my life and wonder what part belonged to me…" Carter forms a relationship with both Sarah and Lucy—the twist being at Sarah's encouragement. Kasdan brilliantly orchestrates this relation tie, never awkward, becoming only something that evolves. After all, "In the Land of Women" is about women, and life.

Adam Brody is amazing as Carter. His low key presence, and insightful smarts work "In the Land of Women". His Carter's growth from arrogant heartbroken soul to being a "great listener", who cares about others, is moving. And Brody does this with a light and humorous touch. Kristen Stewart is a star. Stewart resonates in Lucy a bold spirit and smart edge. She beautifully captures Lucy's angst and vulnerability as a teenager defining her self. Makenzie Vega makes an impressive turn as Lucy's younger sister Paige, the precocious yoga practicing preteen. Vega has a touching scene with Mom Sarah in the ice cream

This movie was billed as a romantic comedy, but it's really a drama, and it was so much better than I expected! Redemptive and thought-provoking, this movie raises questions about if women and men can be friends without romantic undertones, and includes themes of forgiveness and living life fully. Meg Ryan is always real and lovable, and Adam Brody is a great counterpart. It's so great to see him as a leading man. I loved him in The O.C., but hopefully the bulk of his career is ahead of him. Scenes between him and the grandmother were hilarious. Very well directed. Definitely one to see with your friends and discuss over coffee afterwards--don't take your parents.