THE OTHER WOMAN (2014)

Directed by: Nick Cassavettes 
Written By; Melissa Stack 
Cinematography By: Robert Fraisse 
Editor: Jim Flynn & Alan Heim 

Cast: Cameron Diaz, Leslie Mann, Nicki Minaj, Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, Taylor Kinney, Kate Upton, Don Johnson, David Thornton

After discovering her boyfriend is married, Carly Whitten tries to get her ruined life back on track. But when she accidentally meets the wife he's been cheating on, she realizes they have much in common, and her sworn enemy becomes her greatest friend. When yet another affair is discovered, all three women team up to plot mutual revenge on their cheating, lying, three-timing SOB.

I can admit I am not the ideal audience for this film. So best with me and take my review with a grain of salt if you must.

While the film is a bit better than I thought it would be. It isn't a slam dunk. Instead of a Righteous modern comedy. It feels like a female comedy held over from the 80's and 90's that got updated and finally made today. I could totally see this as a Shelly Long-Bette Midler female buddy comedy from the 80's.

Luckily this reminds me of what Some audience members have complained about where are the films that are geared for an adult audience. Well as silly as this film is it seems more aimed at adults. Even though it is rated PG-13 proving not everything in comedy has to always be totally vulgar. It seems more adult then the other Cameron Diaz film SEX TAPE that is a rated-R comedy and the material seems adult rated though the commercials make it seem more juvenile and silly, perfect for teens. I know the complaint and argument are more reserved for adult dramas more than comedies, but I like that this film is at least targeted for adults. Maybe as I get older I argue more for my demographic and against other ones.

There are quite a few saving factors for the film. It's funny in parts but one of the biggest saviors is Leslie Mann's performance which is over the top, but she manages to make a believable character. Who we feel sorry for even as she is ridiculously funny through her actions. She steals the film. Though this film seems to decide early on not to flatter her looks. Though they seem to go overboard to do it for Cameron Diaz. Who really has nothing much here to do but react and be apart of the plots.

The other factor of the film is the more exploitive ingredient in the film and probably what was meant to get men to see the film. Kate Upton playing the other mistress who is just a bombshell who has scenes of her running in slow motion in a bikini and dancing drunkenly suggestively and at the end in a bikini on the beach. She is here to be the sexpot and achieves her mission. With plenty of humor.

Nicki Minaj is horrible in her acting debut as she speaks like she is channeling Cate Blanchett from BLUE JASMINE. I can look past the fact that her way of dress is so loud. I doubt a lawyer would allow her to be her receptionist as she would be her representative to clients. Though the film makes sure to let us see her assets. I wonder if the studio forced her on the production or crossover promotion or did she actually audition? Then did the director pay attention to her scenes and was that the best they got from her. Or did he figure a minor distraction it will be ok. I am sure Cameron Diaz accepted it as she is herself the star and as long as she shines who cares. Originally received an R rating for the use of the word "vagina" but after a petition and without any edits to the movie, the rating was reduced to PG-13.

Maybe it would have been a more intriguing film had it been able to be a rated R film.

The husband character seems to commit every sin you can think of in a cheating husband or mate. So that he doesn't come off as a Character, but more of an idea and combination of traits. For the audience to hate.

Played by Nikolaj Coster-Waldau who looks more rugged and handsome on the television show GAME OF THRONES. Here he seems so pompous and with way too much hair and with clothing and suits he fits and more make up the character, but don't bring out his looks and sexiness that these women couldn't resist in the first place.

Another factor that doesn't help is that him and Leslie Mann's character never seem to really have chemistry. Their characters are so different you wonder how they got married to each other in the first place. We never see that romantic spark that might even be buried. That has kept them together.

Not that I feel sorry or him as we have a positive depiction of men in two forms of Leslie Mann's brother and Cameron Diaz's father. By towards the end the payback of the husband seems a little harsh. The comeuppance is fine until it turns violent once was bad enough by triple. Seems excessive and cruel. Even if mostly by his own hands or behavior. While they update us later on all the characters it surprisingly doesn't say anything where he has landed. Which is different for a movie of this type.

Grade: C