Women Talking Dirty (1999)

User Rating:

5.7/10   

Director:

Coky Giedroyc

Writers:

Isla Dewar (novel)
Isla Dewar (screenplay)

Release Date:

25 October 2001 (Czech Republic)

Genre:

Comedy

Tagline:

Behind every great woman... is her best friend

Plot:

A lively, outspoken single mother in Edinburgh, Scotland, develops an unlikely friendship with a shy cartoonist. |

Plot Keywords:

Single Mother | Edinburgh Scotland | Friendship | Cartoonist | Scotland

Cast

Helena Bonham Carter	...	Cora
Gina McKee	...	Ellen
Eileen Atkins	...	Emily Boyle
Kenneth Cranham	...	George
James Nesbitt	...	Stanley
James Purefoy	...	Daniel
Ken Drury	...	Bill O'Brien
Julien Lambroschini	...	Claude
Barbara Rafferty	...	Janine
Elaine C. Smith	...	Irene O'Brien
Richard Wilson	...	Ronald
Freddie Highmore	...	Sam
Bertie Highmore	...	Col
Steve Street	...	Man in flash car
Jackie Balfour	...	Midwife

Runtime:

97 min

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

Netherlands:12 | Ireland:15 | Spain:7 | UK:15

Filming Locations:

Leith, Edinburgh, Scotland, UK

Company:

Jean Doumanian Productions

Goofs:

Continuity: When the blue Sofa is being removed from the apartment towards the end of the film, it is obvious when outside the building that the cushions the money is meant to be hidden under are removed to make it lighter to carry.

Soundtrack:

Getting Scared

Snapshot of Loyalty and Betrayal

I enjoyed this film for its unwillingness to make things overly obvious or excessively sentimental. It is hard to say whether the film depicts a study of betrayal, friendship or emotional dependence - but it offers a realistic snapshot of a tenuous friendship between two very different women.

Whether there is a message or not, the film is an effective portrayal of the difference between perceived happiness and real happiness. With Dolly Parton lauded as the archetypal tough gal, the two leads aspire to being in total control of their lives. The film begins with an aborted kiss between the two women (Gina McKee and HBC) and this neatly raises the issue of whether platonic love can compare to romantic love. However, there is more to friendship than hand-holding and the women each have Daniel (James Purefoy) to deal with before they can achieve some measure of self worth.

Not a film for those seeking a simple and obvious tale with a neat resolution but one one for those who enjoy films that raise questions and do not fall into the trap of providing glib answers.