The
Women (1939)
2/18/03
by Jen Elder
Boys KEEP OUT! This one
is for the ladies, or should I say the women? Titled
none other than The Women, this 1939 classic is full of nothing but just
that! That's right!
Not one male face is seen in the entire
flick. Even better; not one male face is needed in
this
brilliantly made movie.
Though directed by a
male, (George Cukor) the star studded cast of femme fatales (Joan
Crawford, Rosalind Russell, Paulette Goddard
and Norma Shear) hold their own. All definently
cover the gamut
of female emotions and realistically play the ruthless role all females are
born to play.
In one
corner, there is Crystal (Joan Crawford), Sylvia (Rosalind Russell) and Miriam
(Paulette
Goddard)
who represent the upper crust of female society. While spending their
mornings at
the spa and
afternoons at teas, these women live for gossip and even create some of their
own.
These women thrive on scandal and make
it when there is none. In the other corner, is sweet,
content Mary (Norma Shearer) who is madly in
love with her husband and they life they have
built for
themselves. Though she is a member of high society and associates herself
with these
haughty women, she rises above their childish
games...that is, until her life becomes the hottest
gossip in town.
Poor Mary's life
comes crashing down before her when it is revealed that her husband is
"stepping
out on
her." This movie takes the viewer through the feelings and
emotions of a scorned woman,
behind the
doors of the affair and finally to the conclusion that no one ever expects.
Unlike most of the films
we have viewed thus far in the course, this film was a pleasure to watch.
I found myself anticipating Mary’s next step
and pulling for her to get back at the aristocratic women
who were so eager to see her lose her
happiness and place in society. All in all, it was a genuinely
enjoyable and entertaining film. Because of films like this, 1939 was indeed Hollywood's greatest year!