A serpentine day in the life of ten seemingly desperate women: a porn star, a flight attendant, a psychiatrist, a masseuse, a bartender, a pair of call girls, an actress, a masseuse. All of ... Read allA serpentine day in the life of ten seemingly desperate women: a porn star, a flight attendant, a psychiatrist, a masseuse, a bartender, a pair of call girls, an actress, a masseuse. All of them with one crucial thing in common. Trouble.A serpentine day in the life of ten seemingly desperate women: a porn star, a flight attendant, a psychiatrist, a masseuse, a bartender, a pair of call girls, an actress, a masseuse. All of them with one crucial thing in common. Trouble.
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This film would probably work better if it was written by a woman as what is presented comes off as a man's idea of what the problems of women are, while trying to be understanding. As such everything comes off a little stilted and like it is trying to be revelatory, rather than relatable.
Overall this is a pretty serviceable late 2000s take on life at the time but comes off as a bit dated and unnecessary now, also much of the comedy is at most a dry wit so don't expect laugh out loud gags or anything.
There are lots of great performances here, and good writing, and lots of laughs even though some scenes are quite serious.
While Doris and Elektra are stuck in the elevator with most of their clothes removed due to the heat, they learn about each other in well-written, deep and disturbing discussions.
Connie Britton shows us here why she is one of the few actresses on broadcast TV who can get nominated for an Emmy. Plus she still looks so beautiful; Rayna James in 2015 is starting to show her age.
Adrianne Palicki, who worked with Britton on "Friday Night Lights" (but doesn't have any scenes with her here), shows how talented she is when Holly, who is normally a "dumb blonde" with very clever writing, turns out to be smart about some things. But one of those scenes apparently showing Holly to be smart is actually showing showing how clueless she is. The writing there is great.
Carla Gugino as Elektra and Emmanuelle Chriqui as Bambi both do well in their roles.
I can't remember the bartender's name but the actress does a good job. She's very helpful.
Sarah Clarke makes a very good therapist but may soon end up needing therapy herself.
Cameron Richardson as the pleasant and friendly masseuse also stands out. Darby helps Holly feel better (no, that's NOT what I mean, though Holly does take her clothes off).
I don't recall the name for this technique, but several characters experience seeing numerous images in only a few seconds. The slow-motion button on TiVo is your friend.
Do NOT leave during the closing credits. I wondered why I didn't remember Joseph Gordon-Levitt when I saw his name. Bert Rodriguez interviews our two porn stars AFTER the credits, and that's a must-see!
This whole movie is really worth seeing.
Well, there were some good movies around this subject - remember Boogie Nights?
In certain ways, this movie is better behaved than many others that deal with sexual topics: Not a single naked nipple, as far as I could see. And the sex talk is pretty honest.
There is a lot of comic relief in it: Holly, the "dumb" sexy girl provokes a few good laughs, e.g. when she asks whether she's an immortal whore, while meaning immoral.
The acting is professional - nothing bothered me about it. The story has a few nice twists, and kept me interested right from the start.
Overall, this is a movie that not only sports a few sexy looking women but also is quite entertaining bringing up a few real-life situations (mother-child relationships, adultery, responsibility, trust, truth and porn).
It's a movie about women, and the love for them. In a way, it reminds me of Almodovar's films.
Give it a try. You won't be embarrassed!
Circumstances, wacky and serious, locks the film's vignettes, featuring different women, all Los Angeles residents: infamous porn actress Electra Luxx (the impressive Carla Gugino of "Watchmen", "Faster", Sin City", "Sucker Punch" and other films directed by Mr. Guitterez, her longtime boyfriend) learns she's pregnant; her ditzy co-worker Holly Rocket (Adrianne Palicki of "Friday Night Lights: The Series") gets in trouble with gangsters during a "pro gig" with pal Bambi (Emmauelle Chirqui of "You Don't Mess With The Zohan").
Meanwhile, therapist Maxine (Sarah Clarke of "24") gets drunk when she learns her husband (Emmy nominee Simon Baker of "The Mentalist") is having an affair with a patient's mother (Caitlin Keats) from the patient herself, old soul goth gal Charlotte (Mr. Guitterez's niece, Isabella) and flight stewardess Cora (Marley Shelton of "Grindhouse" and "Scream 4") has a Mile High Club fling with rocker Nick Chapel (Oscar nominee Josh Brolin of "Milk") ends gallows funny.
If you're expecting full frontal nudity, forget it, but that doesn't mean "Women In Trouble" is a waste of time. Imagine the sexiness of a soft-core porn film on Cinemax, the female angst from a Lifetime movie and the profane/profound humor of a Kevin Smith film and you have this underdog gem.
With a fun script and tight direction, Guitterez treats his cast pretty well and, while in their roles, they shine in their ups and downs. Also included in the mix are Connie Britton (also of "FNL") as Charlotte's "aunt" who has a dark secret; Rya Kihlstedt as a shotgun-totting, lesbian barkeep; Cameron Richardson as the barkeep's masseuse roommate from Canada and Garcelle Beauvais-Nilon ("The Jamie Foxx Show") as Cora's pal. There's also a Q&A session, post-end credits scroll, involving Electra and Holly with an over-eager Internet reporter (Joseph Gordon-Levitt of "Brick" and "Inception") that starts out a bit weak but ends funny. Ms. Shelton's sister, Samantha, belts out a sweet tune in a bar.
Pretty girls have problems too, and "Women In Trouble" proves that with a thoughtful chuckle.
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaThe story Elektra tells about dating a man who does not seem to know she is a porn actress until after they have sex is a true story. This actually happened to porn star Heather Hunter.
- GoofsWhen Maxine is trying to undress herself on the bed, after Bambi drops her home very drunk, we see her with stockings in one scene and then they have immediately disappeared in the next shot.
- Quotes
Elektra Luxx: [after Holly all of a sudden brilliantly solves math task during the interview] You could get a PhD, you know?
Holly Rocket: I know. That's why I get tested twice a year.
Holly Rocket: [to the camera] Nobody thinks it can happen to them, but anyone can get a PhD. Make sure you get tested. Thank you.
- ConnectionsFollowed by Elektra Luxx (2010)
- How long is Women in Trouble?Powered by Alexa
Details
Box office
- Gross US & Canada
- $18,000
- Opening weekend US & Canada
- $12,784
- Nov 15, 2009
- Gross worldwide
- $18,000
- Runtime1 hour 32 minutes
- Color
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 1.85 : 1
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