A cocky, chauvinistic advertising executive magically acquires the ability to hear what women are thinking.A cocky, chauvinistic advertising executive magically acquires the ability to hear what women are thinking.A cocky, chauvinistic advertising executive magically acquires the ability to hear what women are thinking.
- Awards
- 5 wins & 9 nominations total
Andrea Baker
- Office Intern
- (as Andrea Taylor)
Jon Frazier
- Truck Driver
- (credit only)
Featured reviews
Mel Gibson is known as sort of a macho action hero, and stereotyped into his Mad Max/Martin Riggs persona. But I've noticed (except for "Braveheart" and "The Patriot") he injects comic relief into almost anything he does. So doing a straight comedy doesn't seem like much of a stretch, and as you watch in a movie like this Gibson's timing and delivery is impeccable. On and off the camera, he has an incredible sense of humor, and he probably improvised some featured gags.
The premise is very original and interesting. A guy who can hear a woman's every thought? That's pretty much every man's fantasy. And the premise is used wisely. I laughed the whole way through! It's hilarious to watch Gibson emasculating himself by the minute, and the joke never runs dry.
I was laughing so much that I was able to tolerate the film's corny ending. I mean, when is a romantic comedy going to come along that doesn't feature a formulaic ending that is supposed to make people leave the theater and go "Awwww"?
The supporting cast is full of big stars. Bette Midler has an amusing cameo as a chain-smoking shrink. I only wish she could've had some additional scenes.
"What Women Want" is an original, feel-good comedy that will have you on the floor! This not a "chick flick." If you want to laugh--this is the movie to see! No questions asked!
My score: 8 (out of 10)
The premise is very original and interesting. A guy who can hear a woman's every thought? That's pretty much every man's fantasy. And the premise is used wisely. I laughed the whole way through! It's hilarious to watch Gibson emasculating himself by the minute, and the joke never runs dry.
I was laughing so much that I was able to tolerate the film's corny ending. I mean, when is a romantic comedy going to come along that doesn't feature a formulaic ending that is supposed to make people leave the theater and go "Awwww"?
The supporting cast is full of big stars. Bette Midler has an amusing cameo as a chain-smoking shrink. I only wish she could've had some additional scenes.
"What Women Want" is an original, feel-good comedy that will have you on the floor! This not a "chick flick." If you want to laugh--this is the movie to see! No questions asked!
My score: 8 (out of 10)
You know, I've watched this movie probably 5-6 times. As a kid.
I didn't get the the whole idea. I knew this simple fact, but I loved it.
Now, many years later I thoroughly enjoyed this movie. Man, it's been a long time since I have felt like this, while watching a film.
So, let me say what I have to say.
The storyline is something old, but expressed in a new way. There is romance, but a mature, not a cheesy one. The main idea (that there is no need for men to read our minds, but to listen what we say, like in 80%, not in 3%) is smoothly expressed throughout the movie.
My favourite thing was that, at one point, the main character started helping (you guessed right - women). And that's what makes this film up-lifting.
I think most of the other comments I've seen are over-analyzing this light movie. It's a cute fantasy about a male chauvinist transformed into a nice guy by developing (inadvertently) some sensitivity. Women want nice looking guys to be nice GUYS, too. I'm not sure why anyone would need much more in the movie.
The humor is good and Gibson does some amusingly self-effacing stuff and some slick dancing. I thought Helen Hunt was quite believable as the climbing ad exec. I agree with some of the other comments about Tomei deserving a better part but she does what she can with her role.
I thought the relationship development between Gibson and his daughter was interesting, too (albeit accelerated).
Other comments mention the length of the movie, but I was fine with it. It seemed fine to me.
If you're like me and you appreciate the "personal transition" type of movie (my favorite: Groundhog Day), then this is a good fit. This is a movie to help you unwind.
If you are looking for psychological insight into the unfulfilled desires of women and the blatantly unsatisfactory male response, this will disappoint. But watch it anyway -- you probably need to unwind.
The humor is good and Gibson does some amusingly self-effacing stuff and some slick dancing. I thought Helen Hunt was quite believable as the climbing ad exec. I agree with some of the other comments about Tomei deserving a better part but she does what she can with her role.
I thought the relationship development between Gibson and his daughter was interesting, too (albeit accelerated).
Other comments mention the length of the movie, but I was fine with it. It seemed fine to me.
If you're like me and you appreciate the "personal transition" type of movie (my favorite: Groundhog Day), then this is a good fit. This is a movie to help you unwind.
If you are looking for psychological insight into the unfulfilled desires of women and the blatantly unsatisfactory male response, this will disappoint. But watch it anyway -- you probably need to unwind.
A man suddenly finds himself able to read women's minds and actually know what women want from men.Now,what guy doesn't want to be in that position? This was a terrific idea for a film and it was executed to perfection.Who better than Mel Gibson to represent us in this situation? He's the one man women probably wish understood them.At any rate,Gibson really turns on the Gibson charm here and there's not a better film in which to do that.Helen Hunt makes a great leading lady and is her usual charming self.Also,from the supporting cast,it's always great to see Alan Alda,one of the most underrated actors of our time.This film starts with a very unique,funny idea,and it does not disappoint in terms of how good it can be executed.Well casted,well directed and very funny film.
It is not easy to start from a funny idea like this, write a script for 90 minutes, get some humour and end up with a perfect bake.
In fact, it's easy to go wrong somewhere along the way, last too long, make it too slapstick, or too serious, and then after 25 minutes people know they shouldn't have paid for their seat.
This film - about a man suddenly endowed with hearing women's thoughts - is a favourite rerun at Christmas, and I still watch it (ok not in full, I have a life too) instead of changing channels because it's still funny.
Mel Gibson and Helen Hunt are really good there, they just coined it and you wish there were more unpretentious (but with a tiny bit of depth and message) comedies like this around.
In fact, it's easy to go wrong somewhere along the way, last too long, make it too slapstick, or too serious, and then after 25 minutes people know they shouldn't have paid for their seat.
This film - about a man suddenly endowed with hearing women's thoughts - is a favourite rerun at Christmas, and I still watch it (ok not in full, I have a life too) instead of changing channels because it's still funny.
Mel Gibson and Helen Hunt are really good there, they just coined it and you wish there were more unpretentious (but with a tiny bit of depth and message) comedies like this around.
Did you know
- TriviaThe Nike representatives are real Nike ad representatives, not actresses.
- GoofsWhen Nick thinks he's in line for a promotion to creative director, he and his staff make numerous references to moving up to the 44th floor. Immediately prior, there is an exterior shot of their building that is no more than 15 stories.
- Quotes
[looking distractedly in refrigerator]
Nick Marshall: What am I doing? She's not in the refrigerator.
- SoundtracksSomething's Gotta Give
Written by Johnny Mercer
Performed by Sammy Davis Jr.
Courtesy of MCA Records
Under license from Universal Music Enterprises
Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Language
- Also known as
- Lo que ellas quieren
- Filming locations
- Dresden Room Restaurant - 1760 N. Vermont Avenue, Los Feliz, Los Angeles, California, USA(Back Door Piano Lounge)
- Production companies
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
Box office
- Budget
- $70,000,000 (estimated)
- Gross US & Canada
- $182,811,707
- Opening weekend US & Canada
- $33,614,543
- Dec 17, 2000
- Gross worldwide
- $374,111,707
- Runtime
- 2h 7m(127 min)
- Color
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 1.85 : 1
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