Review of Things You Can Tell Just by Looking at Her (2000) by Shiva K — 24 Jan 2008

The only reason I was interested in seeing this movie was the director. Rodrigo Garcia is Gabriel Garcia Marquezâ??s son. My Colombian friend recommended this movie and I picked it up.

This movie is a poetic rendition of complexity in characters and their relationships â?? loosely interlinked stories of many women. The roles played by Holly Hunter, Cameron Diaz and Calista Flockhart are rare and subtle illustrations of single women in their search for happiness. They are all in the verge of a change â?? some scared of it and some looking forward. But the surprise is Glenn Close as Dr. Elaine Keener. This is probably the sanest portrayal of any character by her. Surely not akin to a Cruella De Ville.

There are some interesting â??connectionsâ?? in the screenplay where a key character is a vertically challenged man and during a narration Calista Flockhartâ??s character explains a theme party where all the costumed friends are dwarves â?? Thumbelina, Rip van Winkle etc. Like they say the â??blood will outâ??.

This is a good Saturday afternoon watch where you are left serene and pondering. If you are a man watch this with your woman and earn brownie points with special mention on liberal thinking and sensitivity.