An absolute waste of money

This is a tender, generous movie that likes its characters and presents them as real people, full of flaws and strengths.

The plot isn't so bad, but the pace of storytelling is too slow which makes people bored. Certain moments are so obvious and unnecessary for the main plot. I would've fast-forwarded those moments if it was an online streaming. The ending looks like implying a sequel, not sure if this movie will get one

True to its essence, the characters remain on the same line and manage to entertain the viewer, each highlighting their own distinctive qualities or touches.

The first time I watched this movie I thought it was a cheesy movie with big name actors. I hated the characters and found it to be too unbelievable even for a fictionalized movie. I was annoyed by it and thought the storyline had potential, but just fell flat. However, the second time I watched it, I realized a lot of subtle things that I missed the first time around. Johanna developed TV shows that destroyed people's marriages and ruined particularly the men's lives when their wives would choose the hunks over their spouse. Stepford was just like that, but for men to have the upper hand. The men had the power over the women in a 50's TV show-like community. Johanna did not care about the men's lives that she ruined or even about how she was playing the role of God in people's marriages. Stepford was like her being in one of her shows. It was like a parallel universe. I noticed the character development of how Johanna really tried to fix her marriage and cared for her husband over being in control, which was different from Claire who couldn't stand not being in control that she changed the mindset of everyone in Stepford. If you hated this movie, give it a second watch. There will be a lot of things that you may have missed.

It's hard to review films which are re-makes or re-hashes of an original. But lets try! We all know the basic conceit of the film in that husbands can replace their over-achieving wives with eponymous housewives - who are for decorative value with their 'drive' in business/science/political life etc removed and replaced with a subservient decorative 'housewife' aspect.I find 'successful America' a shallow backdrop, but this is necessary here as the plot involves the well to do in their gated estate. The general situation emerges in an unsubtle way. Wives are shallow and ornamental, and time is spent allowing the husbands to confirm that is how they want their wives to be. We know there is something peculiar going on when one of the wives has a malfunction during a civic dance. This pretty much confirms Kidmans sense that something is amiss. Walken makes an an appearance as the brains behind the situation, but without any suspense or intrigue about his character or what that character does. There is a housewife who doesn't appear to fulfil the ideal presented played by Midler. But the role played is simply to provide the contrast between actual wives and the 'ideal' wives. She ends up being converted, but to be honest, I was wondering why she had not been up to that point. There is a decision to be taken by Broderick in respect of his wife, but watch the film to see what this is. The final part of the film comes at a ballroom event, and we are then told what we need to know about the wives, who is responsible and the status of the relationship between Kidman/Broderick.There is a pretty poor twist to the film's ending, but it adds little. A film which seemed more about the American high-life than the basic scenario about re-manufacturing individuals as life-style accessories and dealing with issues that might be expected to arise.The film was visually attractive, but lacking in any real plot development and ultimately for the characters, a lack of empathy or understanding.

What does it take to become a Stepford wife, a woman perfect beyond belief? Ask the Stepford husbands, who've created this high-tech terrifying little town, in a very modern comedy-thriller.This film is notorious for the numerous production problems that occurred throughout its shooting schedule. The tension started when both John and Joan Cusack, originally slated to star in supporting roles, pulled out of the project and were replaced by Matthew Broderick and Bette Midler, respectively. After filming was initially completed, several changes were made to the new script, which created a number of plot holes, and the cast was called back for reshoots. Nicole Kidman was reportedly so dissatisfied with the new screenplay that she considered pulling out of the project.And, indeed, it just has no punch. The original film, like it or not, is a cultural touchstone and really served a purpose. The remake seems to have no purpose, and although it has a few good qualities -- the attempt to make it a comedy rather than a social horror tale -- it just seems flat. Amazingly, despite overwhelmingly bad reviews, it was praised by Roger Ebert. Maybe he saw a different film.The potential was there, but something went horribly wrong. This is a film that could possibly be considered "so bad it's good", but even that might be giving it too much credit because it is not nearly that much fun.

Thirty years after the release of the critically acclaimed original here is the critically slammed remake.Nicole Kidman is a hard as nails television executive who makes feminist television reality shows. She gets fired when a male victim of one of her shows goes postal.Matthew Broderick plays her husband and is also a media executive. He has noticed the despite being a successful couple their marriage has suffered because of the work/life balance.After her dismissal the couple move to the town of Stepford which seems like an idyllic retreat from the stresses and strains of the rat race in the city. The wives are the stay at home types and the husbands seems to be all rest and play. Not sure who does any work!Broderick recognizes that Stepford is a happy community. Kidman along with frumpy author Bette Midler and a renowned gay designer finds there is something wrong with this white picket fenced Republican wet dream.This version is a satire mixed with black humour and a surprisingly amiable film as long as you park your brain elsewhere. The film went through re-shoots with an ending that does not work. Then again a lot of the film does not work if you spend too long thinking about it. Its as a half good idea and an unfinished script which got the green light to go into production.Are these women robots or was there some sort of brain re- programming? If they are robots the original women must be dead? We have a scene where one of the women dispenses bank notes for some reason. If its some sort of brain re-programming then the women could become normal at the end of the film. However the film wants it both ways which means the script was not ready, unsure or had to be re-shot later on.