Les folies de Margaret

My mom and I were going through the channels, and were about to resort to our well-worn video collection when we stumbled upon a nameless film with a young woman yelling at a man. My first impression was "Hey, that's Parker Posey!", and so began our little adventure viewing (most of) The Misadventures of Margaret. I've seen a few "chick flicks" in my time, although most leave me cold. When I use the too common term, I'm talking about anything that involves two of the three: 1) a love-centered plot line, 2) a woman striving for harmony with her inner self, 3) accurate, almost overly-done period piece costumes. A slight warning to those who aren't inclined to give this film a fair shot: it has all three in abundance.

However, the film also has some of the best acting I've seen out of Ms. Posey, great characters along with the title one (especially Elisabeth McGovern as Margaret's sister, and a disturbing pseudo-cameo by Alexis Denisof, who I'd only ever seen as Wesley on Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel. It's almost disturbing to see him play a sex symbol--not that I minded!), and some of the most entertaining women-centered writing I've heard in *any* flick (chick or otherwise) in a very long time. Women-centered in that it manages to make the characters sound like modern women without turning them into cynical harpies or caricatures of the feminist movement (or, worse, icons of a "better" set of values, when a woman's heart is only as full as her husband's stomach.) I'm starting to think that Mystic Pizza is going to have to share my title for Best Girlie Film. ;)

This is a fun romp, not unlike the exploits on Sex in the City. But not being a fan of that particular show, I found Parker Posey to be endearing and hilarious, unlike Sarah Jessica Parker. Some of Posey's line deliveries made me literally crack up. She carries the film throughout, and it is her charismatic frivolity that makes the film such a treat. Not unlike her turns in the Christopher Guest films like Best in Show, she turns a character on her head and takes her for a ride. Yet Margaret's sexual awakening is definitely a relatable misadventure, and Posey takes you with her on her journey, creating a character you'd actually want to get to know.

Too bad it's not that well known because this is an enjoyable little film.

This is such a weird little film, with a very twisted heroine, but after the first few minutes of the film one finds oneself falling for her lock, stock and barrel. I like the literary references that fall from characters' lips like diamonds. I also think that it is one of Jeremy Northam's most wonderful performances. He doesn't get a huge amount to do, but what he does do is so subtle and nuanced, it's a joy (as usual) to watch. Parker Posey is like a young Kate Hepburn, whirling her way through an insane but sexually charged plot. Or perhaps she's more like Carole Lombard in My Man Godfrey, just completely nuts.

It does fall down in places during the first eighteenth century bits, but then the joke there becomes clear, as well as the significance it holds. I haven't read the novel but hope to get my hands on it. It sounds such fun.

I do wish I could own this film, to complete my Jeremy Northam collection. I also wish the soundtrack were available, because the music is quite charming.

I do like the cheerful slightly confused sexuality portrayed by both the heroine and her eighteenth century counterpart, it's quite refreshing to see the subject treated so matter-of-factly.

Rent this film, it's a lot of fun!

"The Misadventures of Margaret" is a film with a good cast. The names of Parker Posey, Elizabeth McGovern, Brooke Shields, Jeremy Northam and Corbin Bernsen give the expectation of an entertaining romantic comedy. Unfortunately the story and the characters are awful. Parker Posey performs an insecure and unbalanced woman and successful writer that wants to cheat her husband to write an erotic novel. Her agent (Craig Chester) is gay and her adviser. Her sister (Elizabeth McGovern) simply decides to leave her husband (Corbin Bernsen), who is a womanizer and unfaithful to her, to live with her lesbian friend (Brooke Shields). Only Jeremy Northam's character is not dysfunctional; he is a cult British professor that works hard and faithful husband still in love with his wife after a seven-year marriage. And in the corrupt universe of these characters, he seems to be wrong and guilty for the promiscuity of his wife. Gay audience will probably enjoy the free frontal nudity of men in several scenes. My vote is two.

Title (Brazil): "Nem Todas as Mulheres São Iguais" ("Not Every Women Are Equal")

I love Parker Posey's movies, but this one was horrible. The dialogue was strangely paced, Parker's character had absolutely no depth or reason to care about her, the tension of the fidelity issues between her and her husband was played out entirely wrong.

The whole film had a navel-gazing stupor to it, with only a few characters seemingly able to rise above it's silliness. Parker's husband, and her gay editor are the two people who perform their roles with any kind of natural behavior. Kudos also to Brooke Shields, in a minor role with some funny moments.

All in all, however, this movie left me cold. The plot was slow, and culminated in an entirely unbelievable scene between Parker and her husband. The dialogue was delivered far too quickly and not enough was said to make you identify with anyone. The editing was also odd: a character would be in New York in one frame, then Paris in another with nothing to let you know why.

If you want to see Parker in a better light, watch The House of Yes or The Anniversary Party. Avoid this movie at all costs.