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The Stepford Wives (PG-13, 2004)

common sense media says

So-so remake of campy '70s movie; not for kids.

parents & educators say
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What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this movie has strong material for a PG-13, including vulgar humor, very explicit sexual references and an overheard sexual situation and comic violence. Characters drink, smoke, joke about psychotropic prescription drugs and Viagra, and use some bad language. There are some very nasty characters plotting some very nasty things. The main characters are all white and the movie has some comic stereotyping.

Violence: Comic peril and violence.
Sex: Explicit sexual situation for a PG-13, sexual references, including adultery and prostitution. There is a gay couple.
Language: Strong language for a PG-13.
Consumerism: Not applicable.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Drinking and smoking, prescription drug use.
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More on The Stepford Wives

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
Families can talk about why a thriller plot from 29 years ago makes more sense as a comedy today. How are both versions inspired by the conflicting pressures on both men and women? What do you think about what the movie has to say about defining success and happiness? About perfection not really working?

What's the story?

What's the story?
THE STEPFORD WIVES centers on Joanna (Nicole Kidman), who moves with her husband Walter (Matthew Broderick) into to the idyllic gated community of Stepford, Connecticut, where everything seems just a little bit too perfect. The women are all Barbie-doll-like and wait on their husbands with adoring smiles. Presiding over them all is Claire (Glenn Close). Joanna's only confidantes are two other new arrivals, outspoken author Bobbi (Bette Midler) and caustic gay man Roger (Roger Bart). Joanna is appalled, but wonders if she's missing something. All of the Stepford husbands seem very happy, while Walter is ready to leave her. So she gets to work, making zillions of cupcakes and checking up on one of her neighbors who had a seizure at a recent party. Joanna thought she saw sparks coming from the neighbor's ears, but Roger reassures her that it was just cheap jewelry. When Bobbi and Roger are completely transformed, she decides to find out what is going on in the mysterious Stepford men's club.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 
Less a movie than a string of jokes, this comedy remake of the 1975 thriller loses some momentum in the middle when it seems unsure of its point of view. When Joanna suddenly seems to remember that she has children and she cares about them, it is not clear whether this is just another comic contrivance or an attempt to create some sort of character growth.

A surprising twist at the end helps to add a little zest. And the idea that a generation later, some women might consider escaping their "over-stressed/over-burdened/under-loved" lives to return to a simpler world of domestic perfection is an idea that deserves some exploration. Maybe by the next time they remake this story, the Stepford wife will be the one who has figured out how to make it all balance.

Movie themes & details

Movie Details
Studio: Paramount Pictures
Director: Frank Oz
Cast: Bette Midler, Matthew Broderick, Nicole Kidman
Genre: Comedy
Run time: 90 minutes
Theatrical release: June 11, 2004
DVD release: November 9, 2004
MPAA Rating: PG-13
MPAA explanation: sexual content, thematic material and language
This review was written by Nell Minow
 
 

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Most useful reviews by all members

ijustlovemovies
kid, 13 years old
13
 
amazing mystery just give it a try
this is a great movie that will never get old i am obsessed with it
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Shinjo
adult
 
Not a great movie...
Not a great movie....I wouldn't have seen it if I knew what it would be like. It wasn't very funny, and there were some sexual refrences and a little bad language. I wouldn't really suggest seeing this movie, because there's nothing that unique about it.
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tommysportsgirl
adult
 
Slightly funny
A few laughs- not a lot, though. In its defense, some of my friends really loved it, although I can't figure out WHY! There is diversity in the cast- a white woman, a Jewish woman, and a homosexual man are close friends.
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helped me decide (4) | had useful details (4) | read my mind (4)

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