Just Like a Woman

Some reviews complain that the story is weak. I didn't see the same movie, apparently. This is a buddy flick about two young women who bath hit rough patches in their already rough lives, and join forces to look out for themselves. If I thought that the story was weak, I would still have watched it for the privilege of looking at Golshifteh Farahani, and seeing her dance.

Golshifteh is a rare beauty, a stunner who avoids looking glamorous or acting weak or foolish. "Girls of the Sun" was the first film I saw her acting chops and was impressed with how well she carried her character. I tried to watch "Patterson" but it was a typical Jim Jarmusch film, which killed it for me. I managed about 10 minutes of it before starting to jump ahead.

This film delivers a story that has my favorite actress in the center of attention. Any failings of the screenwriters or the director are easily ignored for my taste.

Not sure why Rachid Bouchareb would make such a movie. The guy's been involved in some heavy-duty historical projects that have been very well-received in the past.

Why, Rachid, why?

For some reason, all his movie magic goes right out the door in this uninspiring and impotent road movie featuring a Golshifteh Farahani, in her usual affected demeanor (deep, slow and tragic voice, and the big dark eyes that never seem to blink) entirely devoid of any charisma, a Siena Miller who's trying to save the scenes on her own, and some of the worse performances (lines are spoken artificially and thoughtlessly) from just about everyone. The fact that Bouchareb would hire a French actor like Roshdy Zem (who's otherwise a great actor) is evidence that somebody either lost a bet or had to repay a past favor. Zem is awkward speaking in English and his performance is none the better for it.

Farahani was magical and arresting in The Patience Stone. She had a lot of presence when she shared the screen with Di Caprio.

Her performance is a fail in Just like a Woman, as is Bouchareb's directing.

Nothing to see here, keep moving, folks.

Like in Ridley Scott's film, so in this one we have the story of two desperate women who fed up with the depression they get from their lives, decide to try their own getaway in an effort to be free and liberated. Only in "Thelma and Louise" we have the case of two otherwise very "main stream" females like the big majority of the average ordinary women and wives of the real world are, who facing the same routine never realize the depression which marks them through the conformity of the men's world they have to live in as women, wives, girl friends. Given this,"Thelma and Louise"'s characters represent the average modern woman to whom they deliver a straightforward feminist message: "You think that you are free and emancipated, well you are not!" . In Buchareb's film on the other hand, being a woman is only a part of the whole thing. What we have here is the case of two persons who are oppressed not just because they are women, but also because they are "different" women. Oppressed by husbands, mothers in law, even other women either because they can not have children, or because they like belly dance, even because they are dark skinned, the tortures of the main characters of the film are clearly not only associated with their sex but also with the fact that they try to pursuit their unconventional wishes. Being women makes things worse, but even if they were males they would have to undergo the same or similar discrimination, hence the only ones who sympathize with them and are kind and helpful to them, are the ones who are victims of discrimination themselves - the Indian Americans of the Indian land area-. I did like the film. The story was intriguing and touching, the acting was good, and the Arab music sonic background adorable!

Been looking for this film for awhile. Just purchased copy on Amazon Prime. LOVE, LOVE, LOVE SiEnna in this film. Anyone who views her in "Factory Girl" and this film can readily see why any Hollywood director would want her for "American Woman" (2019) Roadside Attractions/Vertical Entertainment. Her portrayal of Marilyn O'Connor here is very reminiscent of her award winning performance in "American Woman" as Deb Callahan. She gives the viewer an enduring image of young struggling women in difficult almost insurmountable difficulties . BRAVO. LIKE. LOVE. SiEnna is a SUPERSTAR. She may have 3 stars on her right shoulder but she gets 10 above her door here. : - ))))

I was interested in seeing this movie because I really enjoy road trip movies. Somehow you tend to meet interesting people and it comes out well in movies especially when coupled with great outdoors. I was also interested because it features Golshifteh Farahani who I really enjoyed in About Elly (2009).

Just Like a Woman is the story of two wives. Egyptian born Mona lives with her husband and his mother. Mona's husband owns a shop which Marilyn visits. The mother-in-law treats Mona awfully because they can't have children and she blames it on her. Marilyn has a low paying job but doesn't complain. Then one day, she is fired with no notice, and saddened, she goes home to find her husband cheating on her. Around the same time, Mona accidentally mixes up her mother-in-law's medication which causes her mother-in-law's death. Afraid and lost, Mona runs away on the first bus she finds. Marilyn takes the car and leaves everything behind to pursue an audition to become a belly dancer. The two women then meet on a highway stop and continue their journey together.

I was pleasantly surprised with this movie. The two actresses do a really good job. One has to wonder why they cast an Iranian actress in an Egyptian character, is there a shortage of Arabic actresses? Sure, it's geographically closer than having Freida Pinto play a Palestinian but still. The movie starts with some really down on their luck women, but I appreciated the vision of running away as getting a second chance. It seems to hold the message that it's not the goal but the pursuit of it that really matters. Being not personally a fan of dance scenes in any movie, I was a little scared but the scenes are not too many and the ones that are there are actually beautiful.

The movie might hold a very feminist view and some will say that all men are portrayed as evil, however, I think the sweetest and most gentle character was the tribal security guard who helped them out. It is also to be noted that women are not all portrayed as angels as characterized with the scene of the woman watching from the mobile home's window or the mother-in-law. Some scenes might have been included for shock or emotional virtue alone but it brought out good acting. The Indian Reserve had really beautiful spots.

All in all, the movie might try a little too hard to have weakened characters in order to make them shine stronger when they succeed. In a way it's annoying but it is also more rewarding to see them overcome their struggles.

I liked: Road trip. A follow your dreams attitude.

I disliked: Feels a little forced sometimes. Were the racist remarks really needed or just added for shock value?

68/100 As a feminist I liked it, these women got stronger together and extracted themselves from their husbands' influence. For a breath of fresh air and a second chance.

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