Review of How To Be A Woman And Not Die In The Attempt

Introduction

This movie is a kind of pre-Bridget Jones Diary for the middle-aged `empty nester` generation. Mildly amusing, though hardly ever hilarious, I was left with the sinking feeling that this is probably a movie most enjoyed by ladies. Full to the brim with exasperating examples of male misbehaviour and hopelessness, as well as countless examples of female suffering, much of it`s humour depends on a sympathetic view; and as I recognised so much of the male behaviour (as a fully fledged member of that particular gender) it wasn`t easy to sustain.

The movie was directed by Ana Belen, (a directorial debut), better known for her significant acting and singing career in Spain. Unfortunately, the Direction here is highly inconsistent. There are moments where ambitious ideas are well realised - but there are clumsy moments too. For example, in a dinner sequence we see some clumsy editing (from wide to wides) as well as several cuts where the camera has obviously `crossed the line`, meaning that close-ups feature action that frequently appears to be facing the wrong way. But in the self-same sequence, we see a lovely tracking shot where the cast are on top form, and where carefully choreographed action pays off. The script (which caused great hilarity in native Spain) was penned by journalist /novelist Carmen Rico-Goday, and guess what? It`s about a lady journalist/novelist.
The lead role is played by Spanish star, Carmen Maura, whose other film credits include `Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown` and `Law of Desire`. She plays the part of a grouchy, over-worked, under-appreciated modern woman who`s trying to keep career and home together despite unreasonable pressures and demands from men in all aspects of her life.

The film`s scant narrative unfolds across four chapters, which neatly divide by season. It starts off in the summer, and pretty much opens in the form it intends to maintain, with an argument with husband number three about going to the beach. We then get arguments about fatty foods, other women, lateness, lack of appreciation, snoring, and just about every other example of classic marital warfare. The film is very wry and knowing, but almost completely devoid of any tenderness (witness her shopping outing with her daughter or the father`s relationship with his sons), and as a consequence I found it difficult to sympathise with Carmen as was surely intended. She`s also an extremely wealthy woman, in a grand home with domestic help, and once again this did little to raise the necessary sympathy.

I suspect that much of the humour is `lost in translation` to borrow a phrase, and with frequent misspellings in the sub-titles, I had very little faith that the translation was done with much care.

The film was made in the early 90`s so everything looks dated without being mature enough yet to offer up the glow of nostalgia you get with older movies. On that early 90`s note, there`s a scene in the Gynaecologists surgery where we see Carmen listening to his appraisal as she sits smoking. This alone will be enough to make it a historic curio within another ten years or so!

The film plods along at the same pace throughout, and the concluding scenes are also somewhat of an anti-climax. The inner sleeve notes that The Guardian suggested that the movie has `Charm and humour … a bit special`. It was also well received by critics in its native Spain. But for me, it was film that started off slowly, and continued on at the same unspectacular pace until it finally ended without fanfare.

Video

Unfortunately, this is a very poor 4:3 transfer with the most outrageous scratches and blotches yet witnessed on commercial DVD by this reviewer. Criminal! (Especially disappointing from C`est La Vie who did such a sterling job on the transfer of recently released Italian movie, `Adua e le Compagne`).

Audio

The audio was fine, if unspectacular. There is much in the way of standard featured atmos, and very little soundtrack music. When it is used it helped punctuate the mood, and represents one of the more accomplished aspects of the movie`s direction.

Features

There are trailers for C`est La Vie`s impressive output, as well as an original trailer for this movie. There are also biographies of both Carmen Maura and Ana Belen, but these are just scrolling text, which can be found verbatim in the inner sleeve. There are some production stills too - but nothing to get in too much of a fever about.

Conclusion

I found this movie strangely disappointing. It seemed to fail to deliver on all counts. It was neither funny nor dramatic, and despite some very believable performances, I found I sympathised very little with the key protagonists. Billed as a `funny movie`, I`m prepared to accept that something of this was lost in translation, but its subject matter was vaguely and irritatingly depressing, without any realistic hint at resolution. The quality and precision of Direction was incredibly variable, and this ranks as one of the most cynical DVD transfers I`ve yet seen. In short - not hotly recommended.