Review of 8 Women (2002) by Thomas W — 04 Nov 2010

I saw this Francois Ozon film ages ago (well ... in 2003 [that is one-fourth of my life!!!]) and I just came back across it. I think it is entertaining enough that I'd actually watch it again (like tomorrow -- yes it could be that soon!). It is Bye-Bye Birdie meets Gosford Park as directed by Douglas Sirk. 8 Femmes is European to its core -- it's zany and whimsical, it's witty and slightly bonkers and it has a liberal dose of some perfectly-timed slapstick (NONE of these actresses appear regularly in comedies and there is not a weak-link in the bunch ... wtg, you know?!). 8 Femmes is a musical farce murder mystery (or if you prefer a murder mystery musical farce) and I bet that if you had a quarter for every movie ever made in that kind-of-a-genre you would have ... A quarter! 8 Femmes is a musical (each of the 8 female leads get a featured song of her own and then some play "supporting" in each other's production numbers)) with many characteristics that one would find in a very creative stage production such as the bright, stylish and colorful costumes and a perfectly-neat, compact set (the entire movie takes place within the confines of a small, French mansion on a snowy weekend. This is not a movie for everyone -- it is a musical that has 8 woman having top billing. Most of the movie is comedy with a dash of drama and some sprinkles of spontaneous song and dance thrown in for fun.

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