Review of Things You Can Tell Just by Looking at Her (2000) by Jessicaann D — 11 Aug 2007

There are certainly a lot of complaints people could have about this movie: it is slow, nothing major happens, the characters are all females encountering some kind of emotional revelation, etc. However all these complaints are really what make this film work for me: it is slow because the process of realization is slow in real life and doesn't always come with a lightbulb or a John Williams score, the events that happen are personal and major to each woman at that moment in her life, the characters are females encountering themselves and one another, what other film can say that?

I first saw this film in film school six years ago and we studied the brilliant framing and lighting as well as some of the performances. Looking at it now, I am still amazed and taken aback by the loveliness of this film. Glenn Close, Calista Flockhart, Kathy Baker, Amy Brenneman, Holly Hunter, Valeria Golino and Cameron Diaz give this film their all. I usually can't stand Diaz, but her scene with her character's sister (Brenneman) discussing a lonely woman who killed herself is probably the best performance she has ever given.

Of all these women, by favorite work is done by Hunter as Rebecca, a bank manager who becomes unexpectantly pregnant by her married boyfriend. The scene when she is leaving the clinic is a masterpiece of acting, completely unpredictable and raw. I also love the work by Close as Elaine, the doctor consulting a tarot card reader (Flockhart). As Flockhart's Christine reads the cards, the camera stays perfectly still on Close's face as it remains still and flickers with hints of emotion at the accuracy of the reading. Close is magnificent.

So all the haters can go on and mock this emotionally captivating film and I will remain here in the minority of people who is touched by the rawness of these tales. All I can say is that it affected me.