Amazon.com

It was a short but sweet fifth season for Sex and the City, as HBO's resident comediennes found themselves affected by forces beyond their control--the pregnancies of both Sarah Jessica Parker (Carrie) and Cynthia Nixon (Miranda). A truncated shooting schedule to accommodate the actresses forced this season to be reduced to a mere eight episodes, and indeed, you can tell both actresses are expecting. (Carrie's wardrobe became more outlandish and more concealing than usual.) Still, the actresses and creators forged ahead, creating a handful of episodes that if short in content were long on emotion and laughs. Whereas the fourth season found all four grappling with various relationships, the fifth season focused on the perils of being single, with a new intensity lacking in the previous sexcapades. Carrie and Miranda wrestled with their solitary lifestyles, albeit with new attachments--Miranda had new baby Brady and single motherhood, while Carrie found herself in the world of publishing as the author of a real-life book of her columns. Charlotte (Kristin Davis) wondered if she'd ever find another man, while Samantha (Kim Cattrall) finally got rid of the one that had been vexing her far too much, hotelier Richard (James Remar). If the season as a whole felt less than the sum of its parts, those parts were some of the best comedy in the show's history, from Samantha's anointment as the "Michiko Kakutani of vibrators" to Carrie's stressful, one-degree-from-fiasco book launch party. (And fear not, Chris Noth's Mr. Big does pop up now and again.) The season's climactic episode, "I Love a Charade," found all four at the straight wedding of a seemingly gay pal (Nathan Lane) and contemplating their future with a wry, bemused tone. It was one of the series' best episodes ever, equally touching and funny, and grounded the show in an emotional maturity that announced that after all their wild travails, these women had truly grown up. --Mark Englehart ... Read more

Reviews (189)

8 episodes same price as 24
Ok, the folks at HBO publishing are getting greedy. Season 5 was only 8 episodes. So in HBO's infinite wisdom they decided to charge us fans the same list price as a 24-episode season, with no extras worth mentioning. (However they do split it up onto 2 DVD's to make you think you're getting more for your money.)
While the shows are great I have to ding this season with 3 stars because of the blatant disregard for loyal consumers.
In season 5 we have Carrie being free and single, Miranda dealing with the baby and Steve, Samantha dealing with Richard, and Charlotte in life after Trey.
If you're a junky/collector I guess you'll end up purchasing it like me, otherwise send a message to HBO and just rent it.

Sex and The City Season 5 Short but sweet
I like the zillions of others across the world am a huge fan of Sex and The City. Not having HBO, I discovered the series through word of mouth and then via rentals at the video store. Season 5 was short but sweet and with the pregnancies of both Cynthia Nixon and Sarah Jessica Parker, was there much more that the producers could do than offer up eight episodes?! What if they had decided no season at all? God we'd have all been in mini therapy groups! So let's not complain and take what we can get girls cuz eight episodes were better than nothing! WHERE MY CHIEF COMPLAINT does come in is the exorbitantly high price of the DVD set. Come on HBO lighten up a bit! Two discs with only four episodes on each can surely be priced @ $15-$20 tops! As for me,since I've rented season five on DVD, I'll wait until the passing of time and the eventual lower price I'll find in a used copy.

Too expensive!!!!!!!
I am not rating this season low because of content--the content was excellent--and I realize that the pregnancies of Sarah Jessica and Cynthia are unavoidable...but come on! Don't charge us all the same price for less than half of the normal number of episodes!!!

Review on SATC--the MATERIAL--free of whining about $$
I really like Sex in the City. I feel sad that no one has even TRIED to duplicate it--I know full duplication can't be done but since it's leaving I would even have settled for some decent knockoffs of the show (laughter). In no other show/film have sex and relationships from the point of view of women been explored this frankly--it will probably never happen again-at least not in my lifetime. I am in the middle of watching the fifth season. I'm enjoying it. We have all watched these four women for four years now. Are they supposed to remain unchanged in any way for that long? Shouldn't they have different changes and challenges in their lives? I will admit that the fifth season did not come as close to perfection as the others did. (Has your work been almost perfect consistently everyday in everyway 365 days a year for 4 straight years? Mine hasn't-it's called being human.) Season Four in my opinion is still an essential for anyone who really connects with this one-of-kind series. Being that I respect the brave work of this ground-breaking show and because this format is supposed to review the material and the work--(...) Also don't you find it amazing the things people put their passion and rage behind? Homeless mothers who need health care for their children express this level of passionate anger about overpriced prescription drugs-however a person ranting about the cost of a HBO sitcom on DVD-and going on and on like some of these people have here?? I tend to wave that off as "You have some serious issues and buying SATC is probably the least of your problems" Some reviews can be dismissed right away like the ones from misogynists who obviously just hate to see independent women having fun and enjoying sex/relationships/career in the free-wheeling way men always have. They secretly want all women to be like Afghan women were under the Taliban. (...). (...)

We can be so hard on celebs. We love them yet we hate then and we are ultra critical of them. Lastly, I again want to remind you, dear reader, to consider the source and look up any info you can find on a reviewer and weigh that against whatever they write. Also take totally anonymous reviews with a big grain of salt. And again...I enjoyed the fourth season of Sex In The City even with it imperfections!

Sex and the City meets the average girl
As a devotee of Sex and the City, I never wanted to admit that anything was wrong with the show... until I saw Season 5. A lot of people will say that Season 5 is what's wrong with SATC, but I say that Season 5 is what's RIGHT about the show! Season 5 is the most realistic of all six seasons. Playfully dubbed "the season without men" by the show's writers, there are very few long-term (or short-term, for that matter) relationships for the women in this season. Until Season 5, the women of SATC have gone through a seemingly endless string of semi-serious to serious relationships without any real examination of what and who the women are without men. This season forces all of the women to show their true colors without men. Even Samantha's antics are toned down and used more to expose who she is rather than what she does.

Many fans complained that Season 5 wasn't funny enough. Not enough men, not enough sex. Real single women know that Season 5 was the closest of all the seasons to what all of us experience in our daily lives - loneliness, good friends, occasional romantic connections, and a lot of "in between". Season 5 isn't "filler" or a poor season - its real life. Fans of the show who don't enjoy this season are, perhaps, happy to forget about their own lives while following those of Carrie, Charlotte, Miranda and Samantha. I prefer to think of the women of SATC as myself and my friends - and Season 5 proves that they are. ... Read more

Description

This hilarious look at dating, mating and relating in New York is "a thinking person's sitcom, brutally honest and hilariously funny." - The San Francisco Examiner. Can women have sex like men? What's it like to date someone younger? And what is "The Rabbit"? Find out in "Sex And The City."

(c) 2003 Home Box Office.All rights reserved.HBO(r) and Sex And The City(r) are service marks of Home Box Office, Inc. ... Read more

Reviews (236)

Sophisticated & Fun: Loved It!
This must have been great Cable-TV when it was on HBO, to which we don't subscribe. It's even better in the DVD version. High quality resolution AND surround sound via DVD make this a must-see for intelligent, sophisticated viewers who don't find much to satisfy on standard network TV.

In fact, if even movies were this good, we'd be going all the time! The writing is superb, as is the acting, sets and fast-paced story line. If you've ever lived, as a single, in a large urban city and were remotely involved in the 'dating game', then you'll be able to relate to the characters. While mostly women, there are enough male characters for both sexes to connect with the 'dating game' and its ups and downs-- and the characters' ambitions, loves, fears and shared joys. Now I know why there has been so much "buzz" about this series... It's a totally sexy, hip romp! (Note: this is defintely not something that "Christian Coalition" types will admit to liking....!)

A great collection of one of the best shows on TV
Sex And The City and HBO are the only reasons I keep that too-expensive premium cable package. Sex And The City makes it worth it. I only started watching this funny and strike-a-chord series this summer and don't know why I waited so long. Fortunately, you can catch up instantly on the first season and second seasons on video/DVD. Each season has 12-18 episodes, and they're like an amazing batch of chocolate chip cookies. You will not be able to stop and you will not be bored, even if you go through the entire season in one sitting. It left me wanting more. The characters' through-it-all friendship will have you appreciating your own tried and true friends. Carrie, Charlotte, Miranda and Samantha are all likable, real, complex, funny and a pleasure to spend one or eighteen episodes with. If you've been a single woman for more than six seconds, you'll also appreciate the bewildering and recognizable behavior of the men in these friends' lives. New York City as the vibrant backdrop makes the show even more watchable. Interestingly, a male writer wrote several of the episodes, so clearly, there are some good ones out there. And guys, I know several men who are surreptitiously hooked, also ... for any men out there who'd like to know what women think and talk about when they're on their own ... here are all our secrets spilled. I recommend this great series to everyone.

The beginning.
The first season was just ok, it had more of an unfocused feel to it. The show also had more of a grainier texture to it. The first season really doesn't deal with relationships that much, it focuses mostly on random dating, which makes it hard to get a reading on these women aside from their generic label (the sexually adventurous one, the cynic, the uptight one). Only SJ Parkers character is explored deeper, even though her character is mostly negative, self-absorbed, neurotic and prone to relationship sabotage. As for people who critize SJP looks, she isn't supposed to be a model she's supposed to be a normal woman who is comfortable with her looks, a woman normal women can relate to. Overall an ok season. EP

PSEUDO-INTELLECTUAL DRIVEL!
(...)This reveals exactly why the terrorists hate our country. Shallow, materialistic, decadent, pseudo-intellectual drivel. I remember hearing one sentence of the show (before throwing the tv out the window) where the main character said "I finally realized" followed by some pseudo-existential "witticism" with a straight(dumb)face. The only positive aspect of this show is to teach kids to stay in school.

Fresh and fabulous
I got into this series when it was almost over and can recommend it. Yes, it's explicit at times so beware of that, but it's fresh and fun and most importantly absolutely fabulous. The characters are all played wonderfully by this cast and the stories have you chatting later about it with your friends saying things like "GEEZ, I'd never put up with that" etc. Depending on your favorite character as a woman it's easy to find yourself in one of the cast.

LOVE THIS SERIES! ... Read more

Reviews (19)

Masterful Dark Comedy Starring The Great Roseanne Barr
She-Devil is among the few dark comedies that gained popularity in the late 80's early 90's period. It has been closely associated with such classics as Zemeckis' Death Becomes Her and War Of The Roses starring Michael Douglas, Kathleen Turner and Danny Devito). She Devil is based on a novel by the same name. Roseanne Barr stars as the irrepressible Ruth Patchett, Ed Begley Jr as her cheating husband and a delightful Meryl Streep as his mistress romance novelist Mary Fisher. The captivating premise revolves around Ruth's plot to exact revenge on her unfaithful husband. We are generally sympathetic with her (or at least I was when I saw the film) because she truly does not deserve such a fallible and inconsiderate husband especially after being good to him and raising his children. Roseanne steals the show as she takes revenge step by step straight out of her list of wicked deeds. The script and dialogue is witty and packed with humor. Memorable characters further enhance this black comedy, characters such as Mary Fisher's elderly mother who dislikes her daughter for selfishly shutting her out of her life and putting her in the care of an old folks home to which she later avenges by blabbing to a sleazy tabloid that Mary Fisher was a promiscious woman. Ed Begley Jr. is quite good as the cheating husband who later tires of living with his mistress/mother to his kids replacement Mary Fisher and takes on a new mistress his own office secretary. He is involved in fraudulent scams and eventually Ruth makes it possible for him to be imprisoned. He does seem to have learned his lesson by the end of the film. You will like this enjoyable comedy with suspenseful and dark sounding music (there is even a section whose notes resemble the Night On Bald Mountain by Mussorgsky and the concluding Elvis song Devil in Disguise with the thematic lines that best describe Ruth....''She walks like an angel, she talks like an angel..but she's the Devil in disguise". Also noteworthy is the strong message at the end which seems to be about empowerment of women..closing scene has Roseanne walking down a street with a tremendous crowd of women.. no doubt women who have taken upon themselves to take charge of their lives and refused to be victimized (by cheating husbands, failed marriages, abuse, what have u. This is a great film and among my favorites.

Not brilliant, but entertaining
This movie is a comedy, and a comedy should make you laugh. This movie makes me laugh. Made in 1989, not long after Roseanne's excellent sitcom had begun its run, Roseanne had perhaps not come into her own as an actress. However, she is still well cast as a frumpy housewife named Ruth whose tacky accountant husband Bob leaves her for a spoiled romance novelist named Mary Fischer. As a revenge fantasy, there is some satisfaction in seeing Ruth systematically destroy her husband's life. And there are some extremely funny supporting characters, particularly Mary Fischer's maniacally uncouth mother and Bob and Ruth's bratty, manic children, who all contribute to Bob's undoing. But the best moments of the film belong to Meryl Streep. Normally known for her dramatic work, Streep is absolutely hysterical at playing a self-absorbed, tantrum-throwing, pretentious, ... wanna-be diva. "She-devil" is definitely worth seeing for a few laughs.

Love the movie, Can't stand Roseanne!
I have always loved this movie for it's blatant campiness and Meryl Streep! She is what makes this film. Ed Begley Jr. though good at his role is so incredibly unappealing that it makes it totally hard to believe that anyone besides someone who looks like Roseanne's character could possibly fall for him. He is about as horrid looking as it gets and to snag the leadinng male role must had meant he either had friends in high places or no one else wanted the role. Havne't a clue how they got Meryl to do this, but thank god she did! Roseanne is supposed to be the victim and we're supposed to feel for her, but she's so horrid that no one really cares what happens to her. Besides the extremely poor casting of the wife and husband this is really a funny film and its all due to Meryl's character.

Uneven Comedy but it`s funny just the same.
An Unliberated Housewife (Roseanne Barr) discovers that her smileball husband (Ed Begley Jr.) cheats on his wife for a famous, glamourous self-absorbed romanic novelist (Two Time Oscar-Winner:Meryl Streep). The Housewife prepares a plan to destory her unfaithful husband`s life to leave him with their two Children (Elizabeth Peters & Bryan Larkin) to created one life for herself for the first time in her life.

Directed by Susan Seidelman (Cookie, Desperately Seeking Susan, Marking Mr. Right) made a entertaining odd-ball dark comedy with a talented cast. Streep is a Hoot in her comedic role (Which later she did another Comedic Hoot Performance in Death Becomes Her). Oscar-Winner:Linda Hunt appears in a Supporting Role as Barr`s friend. Sylvia Miles plays Streep`s crude mother in the film. Although it`s Predictable & The Pace is quite plodding but it`s a surprisingly amusing flick. Based on Fay Weldon`s novel-The Life & Loves of a She Devil. Grade:B+.

For those in search of laugh-out-loud fun, this is the one!
Not every movie has to take itself seriously to be highly entertaining--and this is one at the top of that category. I dare anyone to watch it and not find plenty of amusing scenes to laugh out loud over.

As expected from an actress of her talent, Meryl Streep is wonderful in her role as "Mary Fisher," queen of the romance novel writing genre. Opposite her, Roseanne Barr does a great job in her staring role as the clutzy, unappreciated wife, Ruth, who loses her husband to Ms. Fisher's charms, yet manages to get the last laugh by movie's end. Indeed, all the players in this hilarious tale add their part to make this one of my favorite comedies ever. I've watched it more than a few times, and can't help but howl with laughter.

My favorite cast member is A Martinez, who turns a splendid comic turn as the butler, Garcia. In one scene, he buzzes up in a golf cart to deliver bottles of Yoohoo on a silver tray at tea time, thoroughly embarassing Meryl Streep's haughty character right during an interview for a magazine. With every nuance, pose, and facial expression he injects something special and really makes the most of his role. Truly, every scene in which he appears is purely delightful.

If you find yourself in need of laughter on an otherwise ho hum day, watch this movie! I highly recommend it!! ... Read more

Reviews (34)

Not just a Madonna Movie!
This movie epitomizes the giddiness of the New Wave-bohemian lifestyle of the 80's. I watched this movie as a teenager and was fascinated by the outlandish people and the New York City setting. Today I watch it and am struck by the ultimate sweetness of the characters, particularly Roberta (Rosanna Arquette-this really is her movie) and Dez (Aidan Quinn). I think it is an excellent example of screwball, romantic comedy. It's the kind of movie I can watch again and again and it always seems fresh. The supporting actors are great, including Laurie Metcalf as Roberta's uptight sister-in-law and John Turturro as a sleazy night club host. The acting is understated and not over the top- including Madonna, who just seemed to be reading her lines very carefully, but to good effect. Susan Seidelman did an excellent job at directing, too bad she has not done much more! The settings are used to great effect as well, giving you a taste of the intruiging East Village and it's suburban opposite Fort Lee, NJ. If you enjoy this movie I would highly recommend "After Hours" and "Something Wild" which are in the same NYC 80's bohemian kind of vein, although a little darker in tone.

New Wave Meets Suburbia
An entertaining tale of a bored housewife in Fort Lee, New Jersey who accidentially gets mixed up in the life of a street smart drifter was one of the biggest hits in the 1980's. Not only a hit, this film marked the major film debut of a then rising star named Madonna, and made here a household name throughout the world.

The movie which takes place in New York City circa 1985 revolves around Roberta (Arquette), a disenchanted housewife who is married to the hot tub king of New Jersey. Due to the great amount of free time in her life, Roberta reads the classifieds to follow the movements of Susan (Madonna) who happens to be in the city awaiting the arrival of her boyfriend and his band.

The movie which revolves around a theme of amnesia and a museum heist was an excellent starring for Madonna. Although the film was originally a starring vehicle for Arquette and Aidan Quinn, it was Madonna who stoled the film from the very start. Madonna-mania was sweeping the country at the time, and almost every teenage girl wanted to look and act like her.

Madonna ,who won the role after using smart marketing methods (the producers wanted to cast Ellen Barkin in the role), gave the film many wonderful touches due to her punk look (dirty blond hair, plastic bracelets, lace gloves) and gave me many memories of growing up in New York during the mid-1980's. To further compliment the film, Madonna's hit single at the time "Into the Groove," became the film's anthem, and even today, the song still sounds as good as it did then.

Director Susan Siedelman ("She Devil"; "Cookie"; "Sex & the City") does an excellent job of weaving both script and characters together. Overall this film will appeal to anyone who lived in the Metro New York area during the 1980's, as well as anyone who enjoys the New Wave style of that decade.

The DVD features are great and I was happy to see the original ending that was cut out of the film. It was great to see this, and only the great technology of DVD gives consumers many benefits that VHS doesn't. It was great to see the film's theatrical trailer as well, because trailers then look so poorly produced in comparison to the ones today.

If you are looking for a modern day classic, then this is the film for you. A true classic in '80's cinema.

GREAT MOVIE !!!!
I LOVE THIS MOVIE THIS IS A GREAT MOVIE. THIS IS MY FAVORITE MADONNA MOVIE SHE CO-STARS W/ ROSANNA ARQUETTE . I REALLY DID LIKE THIS MOVIE. THIS MOVIE IS ABOUT A MIX UP WHERE ROSANNA ARQUETTE FOLLOWS THIS PERSONAL AD:"DESPERATELY SEEKING SUSAN"(MADONNA) AND ABOUT A GUY NAMED JIM. (ROBERTA) ROSANNA ARQUETTE THINKS HER NAME IS SUSAN AND IT IS JUST A GREAT BIG MIX-UP BUT AT THE END THINGS FALL INTO PLACE BUT SOME CHANGES ARE MADE BUT THE MOVIE IS GREAT I LOVED IT AND I RECOMMEND ANY MADONNA FAN SHOULD HAVE THIS VIDEO IN THEIR COLLECTION.

Wacky Fun!
We rented Desperately Seeking Susan and I thought it was a cute wacky movie that was a lot of fun to watch and has a great cast that includes Maddona, Rosanna Arquette, Aidan Quinn and Laurie Metcalf. Rosanna Arquette plays a bored New Jersey housewife named Roberta who is interested in the personals ads she reads between a free-spirited woman from New York named Susan and a guy named Jim so when Roberta goes to New York to meet Susan she winds up getting hit on the head and she wakes up thinking she is actually Susan and gets herself into a lot of wacky situations. It's a fun movie and has great scenes of New York and I recommend it.

Desperately Seeking Susan (1985)
Here it is ladies and gentleman, fellow Madonna fans: Madonna's first starring role in a feature film. Desperately Seeking Susan is loaded with fun and games and has become a favorite with most Madonna fans.

Roseanna Arquette plays Roberta Glass, a bored New Jersey housewife, who constantly follows the on-going relationship of Jim and Susan. One day, Roberta decides that she would really like to meet Susan, so she places an add in the paper, telling Susan to meet Roberta at Battery Park in New York City. Susan (played by Madonna) shows up, but is arrested because of cab fair. Roberta is being harrassed by some lunatic. After a bump on the head and a bout of amnesia, turns Roberta into Susan. Susan's boyfriend Jim (played by Robert Joy) askes his best friend Dez (played by Aiden Quinn) finds Roberta, but thinks she is Susan. The two become lovers.

A movie that is considered to be an instant classic and features the hit single, INTO THE GROOVE, performed by Madonna. It's a film that should not be missed. A life so complicated, it takes two women to live it. ... Read more

Reviews (16)

An Offbeat Popcorn Movie
Gaudi Afternoon is based on the book by Barbara Wilson and for the most part stays pretty faithful to the characterizations created in the book. This isn't your ordinary Hollywood mystery involving guns, violence, and car chases. It's more about the people. Because this movie was so well cast, we come to like and care about the characters fairly quickly. Judy Davis, especially shines as the sexually repressed translator, Cassandra Reilly. Davis does some amazing acting with her eyes, breathing, and facial expressions. Almost as good is Marcia Gay Harden who has most of the best lines in the movie (and the juciest role, too). The supporting characters played by Lili Taylor (indie movie queen) and Juliette Lewis are also very good. The Spanish location is almost a character, too, lending the film its noir and intrigue.

The plot revolves around frustrated translator Cassandra Reilly, who finds herself blocking over her latest project, and the mysterious woman named Frankie Stevens who rescues her from her dreary life at the moment. Frankie comes to Cassandra to ask for her translation assistance in locating her ex-husband, Ben. From this basic plot point, the rest of the story unfolds at a comfortable clip.

Though most of the movie is just plain entertaining, it does try a little too hard at times to make some points about unconventional families. At these moments the movie gets sappy and seems just a bit too earnest. Thankfully these times are limited. Minor plot details seem a tad unrealistic and at times some of the characters, especially the ones played by Taylor and Lewis, devolve into stereotypes and charicatures, probably because they're not as well-developed as the two leads.

But, for the most part this is a fun, quirky, and offbeat movie. Pop yourself some popcorn and sit on a cozy couch to watch it and be entertained.

Gender Bending fun
I had the opportunity to watch Gaudi Afternoon on DVD and wondered why such a terrific, entertaining and colorful film had not yet been released theatrically. The mostly female cast is excellent, particularly Judy Davis and Marcia Gay Harden. The plot twists are clever and the Barcalona locations made me yearn for my favorite tapas bar. I also though that the timely theme of "alternative families" was dealt with in a light-hearted, but touching manner.
If you are tired of predictable movies with predictable characters -- check this one out!

This has a plot like early Almodovar, sans the frantic....
...stilleto heeled Frankie puts out a butt thrown out of the apartment window of Cassandra, ex-Kalamazoo-an, translator cum novelist living in the pre modern splendor which we currently know as Barcelona. Frankie's from the States, she does not speak the language, but she's gotta find her man, Ben, right away. Would Cassandra agree to asking around in the local language and sniff out Ben's location? There's a grand in it off the top, two grand if the party is located...plus expenses. At first Cassandra balks, but one evening while trying to focus, the prattle of family and kids has her fed up and she voices her complaint to the landlady who, by the way, reminds her she's two months due on the rent--who, by the way, is also mother of the offending children. The land lady cuts Cassandra's light out, so she's forced to find the stillettoed one's number to take up on the job. Cassandra does a couple of days worth of snooping, take a few pictures and Viola! She's found the dude. It was the SF jacket that gives it away! And this is the beginning of her entire headache with the couple. Gaudi Afternoon is a very funny movie with several unexpected twists and turns. Marcia must've gotten tired of the jokes about her name, so...you get the Frankie construct. Lili reconstructs her Solanus, but softens the touch. We get to see how beautiful Barcleona is and finally the film veiwer begins to realise that this is a strange, but sweetly touching film. If you haven't seen this, see it. The ideas in this film may come very close to offending you, but watch it, anyway. It works out nicely in the end and you will enjoy it.

beautiful scenery, interesting story
This movie shows some beautiful shots of Barcelona, where translator Cassandra (Judy Davis) is currently living. She moves around the globe for three months at a time, and that's how she likes it.

Around this time, Frankie (played by Marcia Gay Harden), a friend of a friend, finds her and asks her to find out if someone lives in a certain building. She's not a private eye, but the offer of US$3000 is pretty good. Soon, Cassandra -- who only wants to be left alone -- gets caught up in a web of a weird thrown-together "family" with a whole lot of issues. She wants out, but she wants the money more.

I liked that Cassandra (Davis) was mercenary -- why shouldn't a woman want money without getting emotionally involved? She also refused to be drawn into everyone's self-made drama. She was smart and ironic. See this film for her, as well as Harden playing a man playing a woman.

Original, fresh, fun Friday night fare
Though Barbara Wilson's novel by the same name casts the characters a bit differently than the film does, this cinematic exploration of gender and sexuality is really entertainting. When I try to explain it to my hip and theory-wise friends they roll their eyes at all of the plot twists, but they don't seem so hokey as you watch. And the opening credit sequence of this film is stunning--absolutely stunning. There are all of these gorgeous stained-glass-like images which fold and melt into one another; almost the way the identity of some of the characters evolves and shifts during the course of the film. We have the usual independent film suspects in the cast--notably Marcia Gay Harden and Lili Taylor--but oddly it doesn't just feel like yet another little indie film that could. The actors do a wonderful job of seducing us as much as each other, and Judy Davis' performance is much more nuanced than perhaps the film even asks for--which makes it especially delicious. And the landscape of Barcelona is truly fabulous. From the first frame to the last frame, you'll be entranced and engaged and surprised. ... Read more

Description

From SUSAN SEIDELMAN Director of DESPERATELY SEEKING SUSAN and SEX AND THE CITY

Filmmaker Susan Seidelman rocked the movie industry with this daring and quirky story of Wren (Susan Berman), a self-promoting Jersey girl desperate to break into the downtown Manhattan music scene. But with no money and no talent, she bounces between a nice guy artist (Brad Rinn) who lives in his van and an arrogant musician (Punk icon Richard Hell) who lives off of anyone who will let him.

SMITHEREENS – which also marked the debut of Oscar®-nominated screenwriter Ron Nyswaner (PHILADELPHIA) and features a score by beloved cult band The Feelies – remains a remarkable time capsule of the early ‘80s East Village scene and made history as the first American independent film invited to compete for the Golden Palm Award at the Cannes Film Festival.

EXTRAS INCLUDE: Audio Commentary with Co-Writer/Director Susan Seidelman Desperately Seeking Susan & Richard – Interviews with Stars Susan Berman and Richard HellTheatrical Trailers Poster & Still Gallery

Music by The Feelies

Official Selection 1982 Cannes Film Festival

First time ever on DVD ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Pain, longing, romance and dirt: Ah! exquisite nostalgia!
Besides capturing the gritty reality of New York City and eighties punk nihilism (unlike Times Square, which makes NYC seem like the innocuous Disneyland it now sadly is), Smithereens captures both the intimacy and estrangement of the punk experience to the jangling beat of such notables as the Feelies, Richard Hell and the Voidoids, and Television. Susan Berman delivers a stellar performance as a vulnerable, [angry], terminal misfit/victim/enfant terrible ambiguously coveting celebrity status and the affections of Richard Hell, who also shines as a punk icon and sexy-but-worthless cad. Fun, edgy and disturbing, with a harrowing conclusion and a heartfelt sympathy for its desperate characters. Includes Kitty, my fave cameo, as a sultry, manic-depressive downtown Bardot. If you weren't there, this film will make you feel like you were.

Low Budget Masterpiece
This film is a classic! It has a raw street like feel to it, and a sense of urgency and desperation that runs rampant throughout the film. Susan Berman plays a pathetic groupie-type set out to become famous. She will step on anyone's toes and stab anyone's back and burn all her bridges along the way in order to achieve this goal. She meets a boy along the way willing to help her and love her and shelter her even though he hasn't got a pot to pee in himself. But she is hell bent on getting her way and in turn becomes a mean, self absorbed street weasel. She pushes away the people who love her most and ends up walking down that dreadful path of self destruction. Amazing to watch the transformation nonetheless, all set to early-eighties street rhythms and a pinch of the punk scene thrown in for good measure. ... Read more

Reviews (8)

Great under-rated FLICK!
This is a GREAT UNDER-RATED little 80's flick that I think more peolpe would enjoy if they just gave it a chance! All of the characters are so great and funny! I've never heard of Ann Magnusen but let me just say that she's great! So is John Malkovich! He plays 2 completely different charcters and does it very well! So just give this movie a chance! If I liked it, I'm sure you would too!

An 80's comic masterpiece!
This movie is absolutely hilarious, with moments that make you laugh out loud. I saw this movie when I was younger and I loved it. It's the type of movie, that after you're done watching it, just makes you feel good. Ann Magnuson is spectcular, her character is trendy, sexy and witty. John Malkovitch shines in this movie. It's one of the few performances of his that I do enjoy. Laurie Metcalf is dynomite! A VERY under-rated actress, Laurie is an incredibly funny woman and a true master of her craft. She steals the movie in her portayal of Sandra. "I told you to call me Sandy!!!!!!"

Dumb
Overall, I did not care for this movie.

There are some very good things about it though. The music is great and there are some very funny scenes in it. John Malkovich does an excellent job with the two different personalities - the android and the doctor.

The acting of the other actors is very poor though and overall the movie was corny and pretty dumb.

A grate movie
I loved this movie it was funny and interging. I love this movie. and I say this is a must see.

What a sweet, little, feel-good piece of comedy!
This is a really great movie, worth seeing if only to witness John Malkovich playing against type. In the dual role of both the creator and creation, Malkovich is careful to keep their personalities entirely separate. Whilst Dr Peters is arrogant and dispassionate, Ulysses is gentle and sensitive. I love the way the android grows during the course of the movie, from child-like innocence to loving tenderness. The movie keeps you guessing to a certain extent as to who Ann Magnuson's character will end up with, but it is great how it all comes to a head in that magical scene, when the two of them kiss for the first time. It is deeply moving and gently humourous, with neither outweighing the other. See it! ... Read more