Charms for the Easy Life

I think the director and writer(s) meant well, but this film seems to fall a bit flat. Gena Rowlands is excellent as CK, however, Mimi Rogers is dreadfully overdone. The best performance of the production is Susan May Pratt as Margaret. Her youth and freshness shine through, and my interest in her life and ideas was caught. It seemed that she had far more spirit than her mother, and was more of a match for her grandmother. Though I have not read the book, I would like to.

If you can catch this film on cable, or rent the DVD, it is worth it. That being said, if it had been released in the theatre, it wouldn't have been worth the $12 admission.

I don't know how I missed this gem of a movie when it was first aired, but I've finally made up for that. I thought it was a terrific little film, and I liked it a lot. Gena Rowlands is superb, as usual, and the story line, though on the slow moving side, held my interest from start to finish. When I first saw it I came in at the middle, but got hooked right away, and stayed with it until the end. I just watched the complete film, today, and my opinion has not changed. Direction and cinematography wee excellent, and the performances, especially Miss Rowlands', were admirable. I felt I was a part of these ladies' lives, and I don't ask much more than that from a film. As some people say, I thought it "worth the price of admission."

This movie was delightful and full of great actresses. Gena Rowlands is always a class act and this role as a Doctor was perfect for her. These 3 generations of women conquer all that life deals them with grace, style and poise. The story was great. I would like to buy this on DVD if it becomes available. The lives these women lead which revolves around the men that have done terrible things to them and how they deal with it is amazing. I would watch this movie a dozen times if I had access to it. It's great to see women in such important roles.

Joan Micklin Silver, the director of this film has done better before. She must have been attracted to the material. The novel was much better, as usually is the case when the adaptation is from a book and not from a short story.

The film is pleasant to watch, but it seems hollow in parts. Charlie Kate was a determined woman; she gets rid of a husband that is a waste and sets up a domestic practice to help everyone that is sick. She had an innate sense for healing, as the man who she saves from being lynched tells her at the beginning of the film.

Gena Rowlands is good as the indomitable Charlie Kate. When she has good material, this actress excels. The surprise of the film is without a doubt, Mimi Rogers, an actress that is far superior than others of her generation. Unfortunately, she doesn't get what she deserves. The rest of the cast is good too.

This is a nostalgic look of America in the early 40s.

I just caught Charms for an Easy Life on cable the other night and I have to say that I really enjoyed it. I love Gena Rowlands anyway and she was perfectly cast as a rather grumpy, old, yet lovable, mother, grandmother and caregiver. But I was most impressed with Mimi Rogers. This was just a great vehicle for her and she shined as a middle-aged mother seeking new companionship. Susan May Pratt was cast well as the daughter of Mimi that is has a tendency to conspire with her grandmother. This was such a sweet and heartfelt story and I just ate it up. It was predictable, yes, but it was touching nonetheless. I don't think it was a ‘chick flick'. I'm not a ‘chick' and I enjoyed it. I liken it to Little Women and Emma. I believe it would be appreciated by anyone that enjoyed those titles. A real treat. My thoughts. Yours?