Customer Reviews

Substitute Wife [VHS]

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

 

 

A pioneer wife and mother's failing health earns her a death sentence, so she sets out to find a new wife and mother for her family. None of the prospects meets her husband's requirement of causing 'the tingle', until she brings home a beautiful prostitute. As her time with her family grows shorter, she teaches the new woman the ways of a farmer's wife and mother, watching the affection grow between the new woman and her husband. But the love between the husband and wife remains, and the tears will flow as the changes come about and the wife suffers more than just physical pain. Definitely a 'box of klennex' video.

I didn't think I'd like it, but I loved it! A really enjoyable movie with a lot of important things to say. Right up there with Sarah Plain and Tall.

Given the restrictive social mores of the late 1800's and the incredible fortitude of the pioneer spirit, I find this movie extraordinary. Amy and Pearl, from opposite ends of the social spectrum and totally aware of their realities, stive to accomplish the same purpose. They have the needs and desires of any woman; security, home, family, and especially love. The plot is carried in the dialog--listen carefully. Some may say this is a "chick flick," and yes, I went through a few tissues, but the candid portral of two women who have no illusions left, is brilliantly played by Lea Thompson and Farrah Fawcett.

I must say this is one of the best movies I have ever seen. It has warmth, humor, and lots of love. Lea Thompson does her best job yet and Farrah was the best choice to play Pearl. She plays her to a T. The story is done so well in reliving those days of hardship and the people that made the best of it, no matter what it took. You will laugh and you will cry, but will want to see it over and over.

I'm a huge life long Farrah fan and grew up following her career, I still have my Farrah doll! This is one of Farrah Fawcett's best later movies, I saw it on TV a few times in the 90's on the lifetime channel. I had to get a VHS copy since the old dvd is out of print and very pricey. I don't understand why this hasn't been re released on DVD, it's really a shame Farrah has not been remembered and honored as a icon should be. Nevertheless this is a great movie. The story is a very unique mix of drama, romance, and humor, set in the 1800's a farmers wife learns she will soon die of a illness. She sets out to find a wife to help her husband raise their 4 children and work the family farm. Farrah is great as a sassy tough prostitute who comes to live with the family. The plot has alot of twist and turns, the music and landscapes are beautiful. Well worth watching and enjoyable for any Farrah Fan. I would also love to get Farrah's 1979 film "Sunburn" on dvd.

She apparently had the same disease that Ali MacGraw had in Love Story. This disease causes the sufferer to get more beautiful as she gets closer to death!