The Stepford Wives

By Rebecca Redshaw

Remember Matthew Broderick in Glory? Nicole Kidman in The Others? Glenn Close in Dangerous Liaisons? Christopher Walken in The Deer Hunter? Bette Midler in everything?

Good. Because then you’ll have no trouble forgetting, and even forgiving, this talented group of thespians for being involved in the throwaway film of the summer.

I know it’s not the actors’ fault. They read a script. They like to work. The pay’s right. On paper it must have seemed like a good idea. The original movie certainly made an impression with the title word being integrated into daily usage. Even without seeing the original 1975 film, most folks know the robotic implications of the Stepford label.

Who knows what ended up on the cutting room floor, the plot perhaps? Director Frank Oz has gotten it together before (In & Out), but it just goes to show that you may have all the best wines in the world in your cellar but if you pour them all together you’re left with something that could very well leave a bad taste in your mouth.

And poor Faith Hill. She sings great (in her other career), looks great, but ultimately utters one (or was it two) obviously forgettable lines and yet received star billing? One wonders if there might be a subliminal message written into her role that further personifies the Stepford mantra. Who knows? Who cares?

I was working out on the treadmill at the gym when Close, Kidman, Hill and Midler graced the set of The View promoting Wives. The sound was turned off and yet I believe that interview was more entertaining than the mishmash of a remake with unconnected one-liners that tried to pass for entertainment.