Une seconde vie

Very much enjoyed this movie - the mature story line, the two roommates enabling one another to grow and thrive, and the throwback to when Hallmark movies weren't so predictable. I thought the lead's physical transformation was a bit overdone (who can imagine Sybil Shepherd ever being a plain Jane?) but the emotional transformation rang true. I do think the plot is dated; as a mid-boomer, I think most middle-class women reaching their 50's today would have been prepared for a career, even if they took time off to raise a family. Worth watching.

Having gone to Smith, I wasn't impressed with the movie.

They couldn't have found a location even *remotely* New England? Smith is a gorgeous, extraordinarily photogenic, community of learning for women; it's not across the globe, the standard California university buildings are NOT a stand-in. Someone should have put their foot down instead of going for a realism.

The love triangle story was an INSULT to the women who attend these colleges! This is not high school, where the girls cat fight over the dreamy poetry teacher! As we Smithies say, Smith is not a girls' school without men, it's a WOMENS COLLEGE WITHOUT BOYS. While I praise the older women for not giving up on love, the screenwriter showed no finesse or originality in tapping out this drivel.

The movie gets a 2 for bringing to light the very real and admirable Ada Comstock Scholars program at Smith College that draws "non-traditional age" students to the campus. And, as a matter of fact, these students may integrate as much or as little as she chooses, so a 20 year old roommate could happen.

Only watch this movie if you're a Cybill Shepherd fan, or want to be inspired by the groundbreaking Ada Comstock Scholars program offered at Smith College

I saw the title and immediately knew it was a take on the old movie "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington." So, I decided I would watch. Imagine my surprise to see a wonderful story unfold before me. Alice Washington (played by Cybill Shepherd) is a recent divorcée who decides she is going to get the degree that she gave up to be a wife and mother 30 years before. In the beginning she is old looking and cranky. Her roommate Zoe (played by Corri English) is wild and exciting and not too thrilled to see her. Over time, they become true friends. You would expect Alice to be overly motherly to Zoe, but that does not happen. Zoe, who is in desperate need of some mothering, learns to accept her roommate and learn a bit about herself in the process.

Alice also realizes that she is not too old to love again. She develops a crush for her English professor Mr. O'Neill or Terry (played by Jeffrey Nordling) as she calls him. These are feelings that Terry are more than happy to reciprocate.

I found the movie to be simply delightful and cute. Cybill Shepherd is still hot!

This Hallmark Channel Movie -- the modern home for B movies with a human story -- is actually a gender-switching variation of the 1960 Bing Crosby vehicle, HIGH TIME, with Cybil Shepherd, dumped for a trophy wife, returning to Smith after a quarter of a century for her BA -- although without the flashy chapter cuts that director Blake Edwards put into the original.

Miss Shepherd does her usual competent, straightforward job and long-time TV movie director Armand Mastroianni and DP Patrick McGinley manage to shoot the photogenic Smith campus and performances well enough. Corri English, taking the role of Miss Shepherd's roommate, has the ingénue role and she is very good, despite her occasional post-Valley-girl accent. But the script by Susan Rice is a little soft and easy, with too many things unsaid, too many conflicts solved by a short statement to make things particularly interesting. Still, the issues are real and, as with most of these well-cast Hallmark movies, it's a pleasure to watch the old pros steal scenes from the hot-looking youngsters.

Mr. Smith may have gone to Washington, and Mrs. Washington may have gone to Smith; only this is where any similarity between the two comes to an abrupt stop. The two movies are not, at all alike. Now, if you would like to compare Cybill Shepherd with Loretta Young: the latter starred in a comedic movie named "Mother Is a Freshman" with Van Johnson, waaaaaaaaaay back in 1949. I have not seen the 1949 movie in a few (Mmmmmm-30 plus) years. Yet I remember the main gist of the main story line, and it sure fits! Mrs. Washington has been told before! She is a modernization of sweet Loretta Young's character. As far as Hallmark movies go, Ms. Washington, actually, was well received, compared to many of its brothers and sisters offered by the H Channel. Most are UNBELIEVABLY DODGY AND UNBELIEVABLY Unintelligent. Beyond the "romance," Ms. W reminds me of what I might be like if I attempted to return to college... I totally related to the character! It made me smile! (I was a music major/athlete and would love to return for completion in both music and lit/writing!). I related to BOTH roommates! Believability? Since WHEN are television and movies ever been all that much so? While you are pondering this question, check out "Mother Is a Freshman."---It is a hoot of a capsule in time! Loved it!