This movie was produced by women, for women, about women. It was made for Showtime and is clearly targeted at women in the 35 age category. It is a good character study of two women and their stormy relationship as employer and housekeeper. Iris Prue (Sally Field) is starting a new life. She divorced her husband and abandoned her comfortable life to seek love and fulfillment with her paramour. Unfortunately, after she gave up everything, her new love didn't work out. She seeks employment as a live-in housekeeper, and she is hired by Paula Tanner (Judy Davis). Paula is an angry, rude and oppressive woman, who goes through housekeepers faster than she goes through laundry. Iris is desperate to keep this job because she has nowhere else to go, and dutifully endures Paula's condescending abuse.

Paula alienates everyone, so it is no surprise that both her daughter and husband can't stand her. Ultimately, her life unravels as her daughter runs away and her husband leaves her. Iris, whom she has completely alienated, is the only person to whom she can turn for support. The rest of the story revolves around their tempestuous relationship and eventual transformation.

Director Susan Seidelman (TV's `Sex in the City') keeps the story interesting, deftly avoiding bogging down, as is often the case in such character studies. Certain parts are very raw and real, capturing feelings only a woman would understand. She is especially sensitive in portraying the difficulties between mothers and daughters. However, though meticulous at capturing the deep emotions resulting from the characters' conflict, Seidelman rushes through the resolution to the point where Paula turns into a completely different person in the span of 10 minutes of screen time.

The acting was superb. Sally Field gives a wonderful performance as the flawed and self-doubting Iris, who is determined to keep her life from disintegrating despite her foolish mistakes. Field captures the complexities of Iris' character, a woman both desperate and proud. As good as Field is, Judy Davis is even better. She is arrogant, insolent and mean, but shows subtle signs that it is all to compensate for her deep-seated insecurity. Her portrayal of Paula's depression and angry blaming of others for her own shortcomings is brilliantly done.

I rated this film a 7/10. I enjoyed it, but I was disappointed by how Seidelman ties up the ending in such a neat little package, ultimately producing characters that bear no resemblance to the imperfect people that we spent so much time getting to know. I believe that relationships can be transforming, but this requires an absurd leap of faith.

Women should see this movie with a female friend. It is probably destined for a long run on the Lifetime Channel. Most men won't get it, and they will probably need at least three bathroom breaks while blithely suggesting you keep the recorder running in their absence. Save this one for girls' night out.
這是一部由角色驅(qū)使的電影，是關(guān)于一個上層中產(chǎn)階級婦女Iris (薩莉菲爾德 飾)在離婚后，為了生活不得不當(dāng)女管家賺錢的故事。她為之工作的女主人Paula (朱迪戴維斯 飾)則因為自己的婚姻失敗再加上撫養(yǎng)一個處于成長叛逆期的女兒而內(nèi)心充滿憤懣失望。所以，Paula把自己 對生活的憤怒和不 滿都發(fā)泄到Iris身上。盡管Paula不斷地訓(xùn)斥和折磨，Iris慢慢還是和其成為了朋友。最終，Paula的婚姻還是走到了盡頭，而Iris以朋友的身份陪著她渡過了艱難的離婚期…………
本劇獲得了
黃金時段艾美獎 電影或迷你電視系列劇類最佳女主角提名 (Judy Davis、Sally Field) 2000
美國演員工會獎 電影或迷你電視系列劇最佳女主角提名 (Judy Davis、Sally Field) 2000
美國編劇工會獎, 最佳改編劇本提名 (Marsha Norman) 2000

這篇影評有劇透