Doces Problemas

It's an enjoyable process watching the women work things out.

There are lots of great performances here, and good writing, and lots of laughs even though some scenes are quite serious.

While Doris and Elektra are stuck in the elevator with most of their clothes removed due to the heat, they learn about each other in well-written, deep and disturbing discussions.

Connie Britton shows us here why she is one of the few actresses on broadcast TV who can get nominated for an Emmy. Plus she still looks so beautiful; Rayna James in 2015 is starting to show her age.

Adrianne Palicki, who worked with Britton on "Friday Night Lights" (but doesn't have any scenes with her here), shows how talented she is when Holly, who is normally a "dumb blonde" with very clever writing, turns out to be smart about some things. But one of those scenes apparently showing Holly to be smart is actually showing showing how clueless she is. The writing there is great.

Carla Gugino as Elektra and Emmanuelle Chriqui as Bambi both do well in their roles.

I can't remember the bartender's name but the actress does a good job. She's very helpful.

Sarah Clarke makes a very good therapist but may soon end up needing therapy herself.

Cameron Richardson as the pleasant and friendly masseuse also stands out. Darby helps Holly feel better (no, that's NOT what I mean, though Holly does take her clothes off).

I don't recall the name for this technique, but several characters experience seeing numerous images in only a few seconds. The slow-motion button on TiVo is your friend.

Do NOT leave during the closing credits. I wondered why I didn't remember Joseph Gordon-Levitt when I saw his name. Bert Rodriguez interviews our two porn stars AFTER the credits, and that's a must-see!

This whole movie is really worth seeing.

On the surface, "Women In Trouble", the fifth film from Sebastian Guitterez ("Rise"; co-wrote "Snakes On A Plane") looks like your typical sex comedy, packed with attractive, well-endowed dames. It does have the dames, but they-and the film-are surprisingly three-dimensional and quaint, making the film a must-see.

Circumstances, wacky and serious, locks the film's vignettes, featuring different women, all Los Angeles residents: infamous porn actress Electra Luxx (the impressive Carla Gugino of "Watchmen", "Faster", Sin City", "Sucker Punch" and other films directed by Mr. Guitterez, her longtime boyfriend) learns she's pregnant; her ditzy co-worker Holly Rocket (Adrianne Palicki of "Friday Night Lights: The Series") gets in trouble with gangsters during a "pro gig" with pal Bambi (Emmauelle Chirqui of "You Don't Mess With The Zohan").

Meanwhile, therapist Maxine (Sarah Clarke of "24") gets drunk when she learns her husband (Emmy nominee Simon Baker of "The Mentalist") is having an affair with a patient's mother (Caitlin Keats) from the patient herself, old soul goth gal Charlotte (Mr. Guitterez's niece, Isabella) and flight stewardess Cora (Marley Shelton of "Grindhouse" and "Scream 4") has a Mile High Club fling with rocker Nick Chapel (Oscar nominee Josh Brolin of "Milk") ends gallows funny.

If you're expecting full frontal nudity, forget it, but that doesn't mean "Women In Trouble" is a waste of time. Imagine the sexiness of a soft-core porn film on Cinemax, the female angst from a Lifetime movie and the profane/profound humor of a Kevin Smith film and you have this underdog gem.

With a fun script and tight direction, Guitterez treats his cast pretty well and, while in their roles, they shine in their ups and downs. Also included in the mix are Connie Britton (also of "FNL") as Charlotte's "aunt" who has a dark secret; Rya Kihlstedt as a shotgun-totting, lesbian barkeep; Cameron Richardson as the barkeep's masseuse roommate from Canada and Garcelle Beauvais-Nilon ("The Jamie Foxx Show") as Cora's pal. There's also a Q&A session, post-end credits scroll, involving Electra and Holly with an over-eager Internet reporter (Joseph Gordon-Levitt of "Brick" and "Inception") that starts out a bit weak but ends funny. Ms. Shelton's sister, Samantha, belts out a sweet tune in a bar.

Pretty girls have problems too, and "Women In Trouble" proves that with a thoughtful chuckle.

Definitely has a strong Pulp Fiction vibes with interconnected characters and story lines that act as a vehicle to deliver monologues on the subjects of life, sex and plastic vaginas.

This film would probably work better if it was written by a woman as what is presented comes off as a man's idea of what the problems of women are, while trying to be understanding. As such everything comes off a little stilted and like it is trying to be revelatory, rather than relatable.

Overall this is a pretty serviceable late 2000s take on life at the time but comes off as a bit dated and unnecessary now, also much of the comedy is at most a dry wit so don't expect laugh out loud gags or anything.

Women in Trouble is not an exploitation film, or even a parody of one. It's a remarkably clever, literate, surreal comedy-drama that just happens to be set in a daffy world inspired by the culture of trashy porn. Like Pulp Fiction, it twines together a number of overheated and seemingly disconnected narratives. But the comparison is totally unfair - to Tarantino, who, for all his cleverness, will never make a movie as emotionally involving as this one. Or as funny.

It would be almost impossible to summarize this film, or convey its weird charm in a few words. So I won't try. I will warn that a lot of the story hinges on sex - without being *about* sex. Like the best European farces, it takes sex for granted, and never blushes. But it takes that attitude to the next level. Even if you feel you're sexually liberated, you'll need to check your own lingering hangups at the door, in order to keep up with this extremely engaging group of ladies.

This is hands-down one of my favorite films of the past year or two, and that's regardless of budget. See it with an open mind. And be prepared to laugh, cry and be amazed.

I honestly did not see much potential in "Women In Trouble," but I decided to rent it and I wish I had made it out to the theaters for it. This is a wonderful film that employs the technique of multiple story lines to perfection. The film makes you laugh much more than expected, but keeps its heart in the midst of all the appropriately titled trouble. It's too real to just become a comedy or a tragedy or a drama, this film is an intoxicating blur of emotions. On top of all this is a phenomenal cast. If "Women In Trouble" gave you that hesitant feeling it gave me when I first heard of it, then ignore it and take a risk this one is well worth it!