In Her Shoes (2005)

Director:

Curtis Hanson

Writers (WGA):

Jennifer Weiner (novel)
Susannah Grant (screenplay)

Release Date:

7 October 2005 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama | Romance

Tagline:

Friends. Rivals. Sisters.

Plot:

Straight-laced Rose breaks off relations with her party girl sister, Maggie, over an indiscretion involving Rose's boyfriend. The chilly atmosphere is broken with the arrival of Ella, the grandmother neither sister knew existed.

Plot Keywords:

Sisters | Grandmother | Shoes | Stepmother | Lawyer

Awards:

Nominated for Golden Globe. Another 4 nominations

Cast

Cameron Diaz	...	Maggie
Anson Mount	...	Todd
Toni Collette	...	Rose
Richard Burgi	...	Jim Danvers
Candice Azzara	...	Sydelle Feller
Brooke Smith	...	Amy
John Mastrangelo Sr.	...	Di Bruno Bros, Cheese Guy
Emilio Mignucci	...	Di Bruno Bros - Cheese Guy
Mark Feuerstein	...	Simon Stein
Terrance Christopher Jones	...	Lawyer
Nicole Randall Johnson	...	Rose's Assistant
Kateri DeMartino	...	Ferocious Shopper (as Kateri Demartino)
Brandon Karrer	...	Canal House Guy
Jon Ingrassia	...	Bartender
Jason Peck	...	Cuervo Carl

Also Known As:

In den Schuhen meiner Schwester (Germany)

MPAA:

Rated PG-13 for thematic material, language and some sexual content.

Runtime:

130 min

Country:

USA | Germany

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

DTS | Dolby Digital | SDDS

Certification:

Singapore:PG | Ireland:12A | Australia:M | Germany:o.Al. | Switzerland:10 (canton of Vaud) | Switzerland:10 (canton of Geneva) | Finland:K-7 | Sweden:Btl | Netherlands:AL | Czech Republic:U | Argentina:13 | Brazil:12 | Mexico:B15 | Peru:14 | Iceland:L | Malaysia:U | Taiwan:PG-12 | Hungary:14 | Canada:PG (Ontario) | USA:PG-13 (certificate #40967) | South Korea:15 | UK:12A | Norway:A

Filming Locations:

Briny Breezes, Florida, USA

Company:

Fox 2000 Pictures

Trivia:

Director Curtis Hanson approached Toni Collette before filming and asked the actress about gaining weight for the part. Collette had complied and proceeded to gain 25 pounds for the part, which she subsequently lost during the film's shooting which is to reflect her character.

Goofs:

Audio/visual unsynchronized: When Rose and her boyfriend are making a toast in her apartment we hear a perfect chiming sound. We can clearly see that they're both holding their glasses by the bowl instead of holding them from the stem. Holding a glass this way would never allow a chiming sound.

Quotes:

[first lines]
Maggie Feller: Your 10-year high school reunion. Everybody wants to make a good impression and I was making mine on Ted, Tad?, whatever...

Movie Connections:

Features The Best of Everything (1959)

Soundtrack:

Stupid Girl

This Shoe Fits

Greetings again from the darkness. Caught a screening of this after only seeing one trailer, which had done little to spark my interest. I will issue a "chick flick" alert; however, this is a rare case of that alert not ruining a movie for guys. This is an excellent film, period.

Director Curtis Hanson, who helmed one of my all-time favs "L.A. Confidential" brings a reality to the film that prevents it from ever sinking into "Beaches" muck. The three lead actors are all outstanding. Cameron Diaz flashes some real ability as party girl turned soul searcher. Shirley MacLaine is terrific as the long-lost grandmother who has wised up and is thrilled to be re-discovered. The always great Toni Collette ("The Sixth Sense" mom) is the heart of the the film, despite her character's lack of confidence, which usually sends me into a coma. This overused female trait is handled quite differently by writer and director and actor, thereby creating a great deal of interest for the viewer.

The dialogue is real, the characters are real and the settings are real. These are people and families and relationships that we can all relate to. The script proves that most family dysfunction is the result of poor communication, not bad people. Regrets can eat away and just become part of the fabric of a family. Once they are hit head-on, there is much to gain by all involved.

Two supporting cast members really stand out. Francine Beers as Mrs. Lefkowitz, a retirement community neighbor of Ms. MacLaine's character shows wisdom and color beyond her (many) years. Should-be Hollywood legend Norman Lloyd has a warm and heartfelt role as a hospital patient who has much to offer. Mr. Lloyd has quietly put together an incredible career as Actor, Director and Producer and should receive more recognition for his accomplishments. My personal favorite was his role as the head of TV's underrated "St. Elsewhere" from the 1980's.

I hope the trailer does not prevent men from seeing the film as I believe this is one of the best of the year. Kudos to Mr. Hanson - he scores again!