A Good Woman (2004)

User Rating:

6.6/10   

Director:

Mike Barker

Writers (WGA):

Oscar Wilde (play)
Howard Himelstein (screenplay)

Release Date:

13 May 2005 (UK)

Genre:

Drama | Comedy | Romance

Tagline:

Seduction. Sex. Scandal. She's the talk of the town.

Plot:

While retaining her secret identity, the illustrious Mrs. Erlynne (Hunt) saves Lady Windemere (Johansson) from making a grand social faux-pas with the scoundrelly Lord Darlington (Moore).

Plot Keywords:

1930s | Gossip | Binoculars | Yacht | Beautiful Woman

Cast

Helen Hunt	...	Mrs. Erlynne
Scarlett Johansson	...	Meg Windermere
Milena Vukotic	...	Contessa Lucchino
Stephen Campbell Moore	...	Lord Darlington
Mark Umbers	...	Robert Windemere
Roger Hammond	...	Cecil
John Standing	...	Dumby
Tom Wilkinson	...	Tuppy
Giorgia Massetti	...	Alessandra
Diana Hardcastle	...	Lady Plymdale
Shara Orano	...	Francesca
Jane How	...	Mrs. Stutfield
Bruce McGuire	...	Waiter Joe
Michael Stromme	...	Hotel Desk Clerk
Antonio Barbaro	...	Paulo

Also Known As:

Le seduttrici (Italy)

MPAA:

Rated PG for thematic material, sensuality and language.

Runtime:

93 min

Country:

Spain | Italy | UK | Luxembourg | USA

Language:

Italian | English

Color:

Color

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Singapore:PG | Portugal:M/12 | Netherlands:AL | Hong Kong:IIA | Canada:PG (Ontario) | Argentina:Atp | South Korea:12 | UK:PG | Australia:PG | USA:PG | Ireland:PG | Switzerland:7 (canton of Vaud) | Switzerland:7 (canton of Geneva) | Germany:o.Al.

Filming Locations:

Amalfi, Salerno, Campania, Italy

Company:

Meltemi Entertainment

Trivia:

Joseph Fiennes was originally offered the role of Lord Darlington, but turned it down to play Bassanio in Michael Radford's adaptation of The Merchant of Venice (2004).

Goofs:

Anachronisms: In the scene where Meg is painting her nails (after discovering her husband has been writing checks to Mrs. Erlynne), the nail varnish clearly has a gray plastic lid, which wouldn't have been available in this era.

Quotes:

Dumby: Do you think she'd look at you if you were poor?
Tuppy: Do you think I'd look at her if she were ugly? Fair's fair, exchange rates and so forth. Well I know she's had her this and her that... but if a man can tolerate his own past... why not a past in his wife?

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Be Kind Rewind (2008)

Soundtrack:

A Te, O Cara Amor Talora

Good, Light Fun

Hi everyone... This is my first ever review, so I'll see how it goes... I just saw this a few hours ago here at the Rio Film Festival and I have to say, it was one of the most charming films I've seen this year. Those who know Oscar Wilde's work should know that it is mostly based on dialog, and this is no different.. but most of it is so hilarious that even people who can't stand talk-based movies should have a good time. The real star of the show here is, in my opinion, Tom Wilkinson. Helen Hunt and Scarlett Johansson are both very good (as is most of the cast), but Wilkinson is so endearingly silly that you can't help but care for him more than the others. So what keeps it from being a stunner? The same thing that makes it good: it's the type of film you forget very easily. Nothing is ever too serious about the film and even though that is a pivotal thing in making it such a good time, it also makes it very easy for the film to slip out of your mind once it's over. Also, another thing I noticed (and thought was kind of weird, actually) was how uneven the cinematography was. You'd have one shot that was really beautiful and lush followed by one that seemed a little rushed, and not particularly worked on (those who have seen Barry Lyndon should notice that some shots, in my opinion, are incredibly similar, though sunnier - hopefully a reference, not a rip-off). But, by all means, go see it. It is a wonderful film to see with someone special, and should provide some very quotable one-liners once it comes out.

A romantic comedy that is as sleek as it is clever? If that's not enough reason to go to the movies, I don't know what is. Thanks for reading, bye!