Customer Reviews

Wisegirls

5 star:		(34)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

First, let me clear up any confusion about the title and the concept of the movie: it's a feminine take on the term wiseguy. Second, this is not a chick flick. Before actually sitting down to watch the movie, I read some really positive reviews about the movie that praised the cast and their performances--the big shocker being that Mariah's portayal of Raychel garnered the most compliments. The story itself was well written. It flowed evenly and like other professional critics have said--the casting was perfect. The film itself takes place in Staten Island, NY (actually Halifax and Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada). The plot revolves around our heroine Meghan "Meg" Kennedy (Oscar winner Mira Sorvino), a med school drop out who is trying to start her life over after suffering a traumatic loss. She eventually gets a job at Il Santalino, an upscale Italian eatery, and quickly learns via her new found friends sweet ingenue Kate (Melora Walters, "Boogie Nights," "Magnolia") and the graceful but brassy Raychel (Mariah Carey, who does a complete rebound after her disasterous big screen debut in "Glitter") that the restaurant is actually a front for a major drug cartel. Meg grapples with her conflicted feelings of accepting wads of $100 bills from mobsters just for being pretty, while at the same time avoiding the unwanted romantic advances of her boss's sleazy son. Sooner than you can say "al dente" the climax comes about in the form of an undercover cop (I won't tell who it is) who corners Meg and forces her to gather incriminating evidence against the Santalinos and their cociane-sniffing associates. The film then dissolves into an epilogue that reveals the outcome of three central characters. You'll want to stick around for the surprise ending.

As for the acting, I thought it was top notch. I must say that I was especially impressed by Ms. Carey's performance. Having seen "Glitter" I was dreading having to be subjected to watching any of the scenes Mariah was in. She amazingly and surprisingly did very well. The only complaint I have about her performance, was her Brooklyn accent--it sounded so fake. One would think she'd be able to pull off a more convincing one, being as she is a born-and-bred Long Islander. Mira Sorvino did a great job as always. Not an Oscar-worthy role, but none the less a good one. I thought Melora Walters's character Kate registered weakly at first. She was shy, funny, even cute. However, a certain plot device used later on in the film totally explains everything. The special features on the DVD are quite limited: only the trailer and Spanish and English subtitles are included. If you like comedy-dramas or are just in the mood for a well-done, perfectly constructed, modestly-budgeted movie, then by all means see "Wisegirls."

this is a great comeback for mariah carey were she gains much love for her charactor i have taken this review from the fantastic site mariah buzz
mariahs latest movie
Firstly, we're introduced to Meg (Mira Sorvino) who is making her move to Statten Island in New York after her past has forced her to go beyond and away from her home in St Louis, Missouri. Though we don't yet know Meg's story, it's obvious that whatever reason she's moving to New York, it is not a happy one.

Moving in with her grandmother until she finds work, Meg soon enough finds herelf waitressing in the upper class Le Santilino's - an Italian restaurant where Meg finds true friends in the form of fellow waitresses Kate (Melore Walters) and Raychel (Mariah Carey). Friends are not the only unexpected people Meg stumbles across while working in the restaurant. She soon realises that the restaurant is more or less a front to cover up the drug dealings and murders that occur within.

Before she can turn to run, Meg is swallowed immediately into the underground world and through her medical training, is seen by the bosses as a valuable asset - if she can keep her mouth shut. Meg tries to understand exactly what Santilino's is all about from Raychel but, the tart with heart just blows it off as usual business. As long as the money is good, "it makes up for all the times I get stiffed," explains Raychel.

Waitressing in the restaurant for ten years, Raychel is a solid part of the so-called, 'family'. A tough talking New Yorker who does what she can to get by - even if it means confronting one of the regular customers, and mobsters, in a display of power where she comes out on top. It would be easy at first to blow Mariah's character off but, her portrayal of Raychel packs enough credibility to make you care enough for her just as much as she does for her pals, Meg and Kate, - especially by the end of the movie

Kate, at first, comes off as vulnerable and shy - cute - but, as we later find out, there's a secret she's been keeping that will place the friendship of these three women in danger of falling apart forever.

The climax of the movie seemed to roll by a little too quickly but, overall, Wise Girls played out well. There were really no uneccessary scenes that dragged along. Fast paced, we learned the story of all three women, we witness their friendships grow enough to feel for each of them and, with a few twists thrown in for good measure, we're treated to a movie that is memorable and entertaining.

I also bought this dvd because I am a huge Mariah Carey fan. But, I also wanted to see the film that was critically reviewed, but unfortunately wasn't released in theaters. I was shocked and pleased by how great this movie is. The ending is a complete surprise, and the movie is definitely worth seeing at least once! (And for Mariah fans, it's worth seeing over and over again!)

The only reason why I decided to get this movie was because of Mariah. But this movie turned out to be so great. In this movie Mariah shows she can really act. She did such a good job. Mira Salvino also did a tremendous job. Its to bad this movie wasnt in theaters, because it would have done really well. You will not be sorry if you buy this awesome film!

this is a great movie. Mariah out shines her glitter performance and redeems herself. She holds her own with academy award winner mira sorvino. There is elements of the godfather and nyc, all in one movie. I recommend it to anyone who likes gangsta movies and great acting, also if ur a mariah fan! check it out!!

The movie is not a typical big hollywood movie, but then again alot of high rated or art films are not. As for the plot, i was very taken by how you feel for the characters from the very beginning. The music flows great with the movie, nothing too outrageous but somewhat modern folk and yet very moving. The acting was good, the characters were very well defined seperately from eachother.
The best part of the movie was the plot twist. Somewhat predictalble in a mob movie but this one took a morbid sort of turn.
My first time watching the movie i was laughing at some subtle jokes, and then biting my nails to the point that i was so nervous for the characters that i had to get up and walk around.
The second twist at the end of the movie really had me in tears.
I honestly love watching movies and was not expecting this from this movie as i do not remember when it came out, but any movie that can have me laughing, on the edge of my seat and crying, gets a 5 star rating in my book.
Was very enjoyable to watch because some of the characters are not well known as "actors" and I was NOT embarrassed for any actor in the film.
Once again, quite a few twists, and thats GOOD in any movie, and quite a dramatic film.

I had to get this DVD- becuase I am a Huge Mariah Carey Fan. Although I thought "Glitter" was no where near as horrible as critics said it was, I figured I would see her in "Wisegirls". What an awesome Movie. It really revolves around Mira Sorvino- who was awesome- she is such a natural actress- so sincere. Great acting all around. I also thought Mariah did an amazing job and added ALOT to this movie. The girl (mariah) CAN ACT! If you like Mob type movies, a bit of suspense, action, witty dialog- then this movie is for you! If you also love Mariah, you will love and appreciate her in this film. I strongly do recommend it to all- even the Mariah Bashers that think she cant act. Good comeback for her. The DVD lacks features- but what can ya do?

I heard buzz about this movie from the Sundance film festival and decided to purchse the DVD based on that buzz. I wasn't dissapointed. This film is well acted and has an interesting stroyline that is gripping but at the same time fun. To go into storyline details may give too much away about the film, but I will say that the buzz is well deserved and it is a film worth watching and the storyline does not get boring nor is there a dull moment in the film when you wished the action would speed up. The most interesting thing about the movie is the excellent performance by Mariah Carey as Rachel. If Mariah gives more performances like this one then I will certainly be standing in line to buy a ticket to see any film she appears in. Miro Sorvino should also be singled out for praise. A film well worth watching.

I am a big big big Mariah fan and I can admit (as Mariah does as well) that Glitter was not the best thing that Mariah ever did, but Wisegirls is pretty darn good. It is the story of three waitresses who work together in a restaurant that is owned and run by the maifia in NYC. It tells the story of friendship between these three girls. It also ultimatley tells the story of Meg (Mira Sorvino) - how her life has pretty much reached bottom, only to get worse, but then to get better. Everyone has been in this rough spot in their lives, although probably not as dramatic and has had to get through with hopefully some good friends along the way. Mariah delivers an awesome performance of Raychel. This movie has got good plot, action, and Mariah Carey -what more could one possibly ask for?

Lead the way is vocally the best song by a female in the last 5 years. Ok the movie was poor but, she can act, just watch Wisegirls. it is a very good movie. Kirk Honeycutt of the Hollywood Reporter predicted "Those scathing notices for Glitter will be a forgotten memory for the singer once people warm up to Raychel", and Roger Freidman, referring to her as "a Thelma Ritter for the new millennium", said "her line delivery is sharp and she manages to get the right laughs.