Did you like Diane Keaton's "Hanging Up?" If so,
you'll probably equally enjoy this rich (as in
wealthy) women farce. Dressed in furs, wild hats and
jewelry, these well-to-do women
bumble around Dr. T (Richard Gere) like bees with
cell phones.
Though adored by his entourage of gynecological
patients, daughters, sisters and even his screwy
wife, Dr. T tries to keep his life from bursting
apart at the seams. It's one thing after another
until the roof blows off.
The film opens between the legs of one of Dr. T's
gynecological patients. Circus appropriate, Dixieland
music comprises the soundtrack. But somehow, everyone
thinks the gentle and sincere Dr. T has it all
together. Even Dr. T's hunting pals envy his
seemingly perfect life and perfect wife. "You're a
lucky man, hang on to her," they advise him of his
mentally ill spouse. "I'm trying," he replies with a
heartfelt anxiety not picked up by the camouflaged
buds.
With wife (Farrah) institutionalized, daughters
feuding over a wedding, woman lined up outside the
office door for a check up; Dr. T finds a new refuge
and a new set of problems.
Gere is compelling and charming as always, the
women perform admirably. Though the dialogue is
strongly real, it's seldom sparkling. Sporting some
fairly well paced direction, it's the story that
seems to have a point missing.
Coupled with the oft times annoying cell chat, the
film hardly leaves the goer with any sense of
satisfaction. Though the climax is interesting ... it
isn't fulfilling, and you'll leave the theater
feeling like you've just witnessed the work of a
great conversationalist who didn't have much to
say.
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