Customer Reviews

Cooler Climate [VHS]

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I give this five stars, not for it being an incredible film, but for it being a film which entails so much more than most films made today. I keep hearing people mention that it's the kind of movie made for older women. My response is...whatever. As a twenty yr old who watched this film with a male friend who makes hip hop music, I can say it's a film for everyone alike. We both felt the characters had so much depth and all were highly interesting as people. It's enjoyable and it moves at a nice brisk pace and regardless of some people say, it's a person movie, not a female movie. You don't have to wait for girl's night out, you can watch it with anyone who likes good character development and an interesting look at life from a new angle. Judy Davis is excellent. The movie only suffers from the fact that time is taken up with an unnecessary love interst for Sally Field...and wastes the time they could have used giving us a more solid understanding of the final relationship Field's character and Davis' character have developed. Ah...what they do for poignancy.

Iris (Sally Field) is an intelligent, middle-aged woman whose life has gone hopelessly awry after leaving her husband for a younger man. In desperation, she accepts a job in a resort town as housekeeper to Paula (Judy Davis), a strident, unhappy socialite whose own emotional life is equally fragile in spite of the superficial trappings of success. Despite their incompatibility, the two women slowly learn to co-exist and, as Paula's life also begins to unravel, eventually even come to respect and care about each other.

This made-for cable drama, which debuted on Showtime, feels (as one other reviewer here noted) more as if it belonged on Lifetime. Earnest to a fault, the script is hopelessly contrived and there isn't a plot twist that you won't see coming a mile away. In addition, the assortment of odd-but-lovable townspeople contains just about every stereotype you can think of. Nevertheless, this rates as a must-see for fans of its stars. Both Field and Davis are extraordinaly good in tailor-made roles.

Also, cliches notwithstanding, the film is at its best in some terrific quiet moments. Iris sits at a table with her daunting stack of bills spread out in front of her, trying valiantly to decide to whom she can afford to give twenty of her hard-earned dollars. Paula recoils after Iris first stands up to her, realizing that she may not have the upper hand in the relationship that she thinks she has. In a hotel room, Paula and her husband, Leo, discuss their troublesome 19-year old daughter and we get a glimpse of the sadness and emptiness of Paula's life. Unfortuantely, all these (and more) moments are done in by a script that ties up every conceivable loose end in the last fifteen minutes. In short, this is a film whose sum of its parts is much greater than the whole.

Still, it's worth a look. In addition to the performances, it is a rare film that even tries to explore a complex relationship between two radically different and difficult women.

I've seen this several times and finally purchased the videotape. This movie has a wonderful score, and beautiful scenery, but I think anyone can relate to the portrayal of people who have outgrown their previous identities and have to refind themselves. Steveston in the film is a little bit unbelievable, with everyone so helpful and kind, leaving only the principles (Sally Field, Judy Davis and Carly Pope) to battle their dysfunctional selves, so that is rather unrealistic, but the film is so seductive in its message of healing and hope, that you can overlook that. BTW, the book the movie is based on has a very different and not pleasant ending. I think the movie is better.

I found "A Cooler Climate" to be a delightful film. The film is about a woman, whose a recent divorcee and gets a job as a housekeeper. Sally Field plays the recent divorcee and housekeeper to another well-to-do woman (played by Judy Davis), her employer and they soon begin to realize that they have more in common than differences. They're both unhappy for different reasons, but begin to develop a friendship.

The basic premise of the movie is about a well-to-do divorcee, Sally Field, who realizes that sometimes life isn't always the way you intend it, but you can make the best out of a difficult situation.

If you enjoy movies that are entertaining, somewhat dramatic yet inspirational, then I would highly suggest this to anyone whether you're a man or woman because everyone can learn from Sally Field's character.

*(Recommned for older children and adults due to profanity and some of the adult themes such as divorce, marital infidelity being mentioned, etc.)*

Having come from a similar working relation as the character Sally Field portrayed in this movie was therapeutic. The first time I saw it on TV, I felt like this movie was made just for me. I reflected on my own experience and in doing so allowed the healing process to begin. After viewing it again recently it reminded of the turning point in my professional career and I knew it belonged in my library. It might be hokey to some people, but, I just love positive, uplifting, happy endings. Plus the scenery was absolutely beautiful.

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 disaffects 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 often happens 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.

Both Sally Field and Judy Davis were nominated for various awards for "A Cooler Climate," and watching the film, you can see why. Both actresses are exceptional in this excellent character study and about two different women who come together out of necessity, and end up becoming friends. Field and Davis work extremely well together and fuel each other terrifically...that alone makes "A Cooler Climate" worth watching...but add to that a very good supporting cast, direction and script, and you have a definite winner!

This movie stars Sally Field, who plays a divorced woman that cheated on her husband. As a result, she lost everything she'd worked her whole life to get, a fancy car, a beautiful home, a stable family life, the respect of family and friends. She had a rude awakening when she went to work as a housekeeper for an eccentric and unfriendly woman who could chill anybody to the bone. Both women, even though they come from differnt worlds and are experiencing different lifestyles, come together to find a very close friendship. They almost reverse roles after awhile. What a good movie! I've seen it about 5 times since it came out a year ago.

this is a great movie about a down on her luck woman..on the skits with her daughter..who moves in with a Do nothing rich woman who has nothing to do except nag her..This family is in total termoil..the father hates the mother and the daughter is out of control, cause no one pays attention to her...It's hard but Sally helps the mother and daughter back to each other and some peace of mind for herself..

I just saw this movie on [TV], and though I had not seen a Judy Davis movie that I didn't like prior to this, the ending was way too hokey and contrived for my taste. Davis had some terrific moments evoking a shallow, lonely and enraged soul, but her transformation from deep depression to loving sensitive light hearted soul in the course of a day, went beyond my ability to suspend my disbelief. Field who is another great actress whose character here is the flying nun grown older. I guess I'm one of those males who just doesn't get it, but because I do like these two actresses, I was driven to see other reactions to this film.