If you've read the hype and promo interviews for In Her Shoes, you'll know there's a big debate raging about whether or not this is just another "chick flick". Granted, any movie with the word 'shoes' in the title might lead you to assume that what you're getting is exactly that. But if that's all you're expecting from this Curtis Hanson-directed picture, prepare to be pleasantly surprised. Far from being a homage to Jimmy Choo, Hanson (LA Confidential, 8Mile) may just have found the winning recipe for making a character-driven drama which doesn't descend into a soppy mess thanks to a generous splash of wry humour and convincing performances. Based on the best-selling novel by Jennifer Weiner, In Her Shoes is the story of two very different sisters, Maggie (Cameron Diaz) and Rose (Toni Collette), whose already under-strain relationship is left shattered by the actions of carefree party girl Maggie. Maggie, who gets by in life on her good looks and voracious appetite for men, couldn't be more different from the older and much more practical Rose, a frumpy workaholic lawyer who longs for a "real, grown up boyfriend". In fact, the only thing the siblings have in common is the same shoe size. Cameron Diaz may be this movie's leading lady but it's Toni Collette who shines. The Muriel's Wedding star steals the limelight with a stand-out performance, reminding us that this Ozzie-born, Oscar-nominated actress is surely destined for more than just a polite nod from Oscar in the very near future. And while Maggie relies solely on her beach babe beauty, it's nice to see Diaz, the self-confessed tomboy, dig a little deeper to carve out one of her more memorable movie roles. Veteran of the silver screen Shirley MacLaine even gets in on the act as the sisters' long lost grandmother Ella, the queen bee of a retired folks' home in sunny Florida, displaying yet more fine acting prowess. In Her Shoes is touching and funny in equal measures and while there will be some critics who will dismiss it as just some American sugar-coated schmaltz, it does a fine job in giving us characters we can all identify with and care about. It's also nice to see a movie which relies on a good script and solid three-dimensional characters to fill seats instead of high-octane action and CGI effects. It may not be everyone's cup of tea but for those who like to see actors do a spot of acting for a change and a movie with a little substance, then this might be the perfect fit.
Review of In Her Shoes
