What Women Want Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		2.5
Video		2.5
Audio		3.5
Extras		2.5
Overall		3.0

What Women Want Blu-ray Movie Review

"This is nice. I don't understand why women complain about waxing..."

Reviewed by Kenneth Brown September 16, 2023

It's a tale as old as time (or at least as old as the 1990s and early noughts), a then-clever spin on Beauty and the Beast: a serial womanizer learns a hard lesson in self-reflection when the gender tables are turned and he's forced to face the realities of what he sees in the mirror. And what better time to review two, count 'em two, such films than in 2023, when there are no, and I mean absolutely no lingering and divisive sociopolitical or cultural opinions stemming from the issues being tackled, whatsoever. (#MeToo! #OrNot? #WhoCanSay? #Sarcasm!) Thus enters the ring 1992's pseudo-classic Eddie Murphy vehicle, Boomerang, a veritable minefield of antiquated sexism schtick, and 2000's less-than-classic Mel Gibson rom-com, What Women Want, which declares its problematic goal right outta the gate in its title. Which will win? Two flicks enter, only one will leave, but, either way, modern women will (kinda sorta probably) lose in the process.

"It's never too late to do the right thing. That's what I'll do, I'll go over there and do the right thing."

Nick Marshall (Mel Gibson) gets a whole new outlook on life when a freak accident somehow gives him the miraculous ability to read women's minds and hear their deepest, most intimate thoughts. At first, this "gift" provides an overwhelmed and bemused Nick with way too much information, until he begins to realize that he can use it to good effect, especially when it comes to getting women to fall for him, luring several into bed, and for outwitting his new tough-as-nails, no-nonsense boss, Darcy Maguire (Helen Hunt). 'What Women Want' also stars Marisa Tomei, Lauren Holly, Judy Greer, Mark Feuerstein, Delta Burke, Sarah Paulson, Ana Gasteyer, Eric Balfour, Bette Midler and Alan Alda.

Thankfully nothing has tarnished Mel Gibson's legacy in the years since good ol' turn of the century 2000, when he was a beloved A-lister, middle-age sex symbol and fan-favorite leading man. *Reviewer desperately tries and fails to overlook antisemitic controversies* And so What Women Want is burdened with two heavy boulders and a looong hill to push them up: a rather outdated approach to skewering sexism and its star's more recent but no less uncomfortable fall from grace. The result is a bit of a cringey trip through time that still earns a few solid laughs here and there but struggles to maintain relevancy, heart and humor. The story is as predictable as they come too (despite a fun premise with way more potential than director Nancy Meyers and the film's screenwriters seem capable of cashing in on), the performances and characters are sitcom slim, and the daddy-daughter conflict at the core of Nick's trials is the only plotline that bears the aforementioned weight of the decades.

There are hints that Nick's upbringing is a tragedy, and it is, but Meyers and the script seem far less interested in our empathizing with him than in impatiently hurrying him along toward growth by way of supernatural intervention. Even then the initial mind-reading montages play for cutesy laughs but feel strangely creepy, pushing into the realm of invasive -- some would argue it's borderline rape-y -- and his relatively quick turn from shameless cad to one-of-the-girls is manufactured at its best and forced on the whole. To his credit, Gibson infuses Nick with as much buried trauma and deep-seated emotional stunting to sell his transformation a bit more believably than a lesser actor might have managed. But this is Helen Hunt's film in reality. She not only steals the show, the frankness and sincerity in her portrayal of a more layered character makes her feel very much like a real human being, rather than the product of a two-dimensional screenplay. It's just a shame she's sidelined by a tired subplot involving Nick's selfishness and willingness to reduce himself to swiping her ideas to gain the corporate upper hand; a third act infusion of trite conflict that you know, just know, will turn out a-okay for both sides of the dispute. But no worries, a terribly contrived ending follows soon after that, with a literal kiss, solves everything. Just like in real life.

What Women Want Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

"You talk to me like a woman. You think like a woman. Nick, come on... admit it. You're totally and completely gay!"

What Women Want stumbles onto Blu-ray with a DVD-era master and a flawed, unimpressive 1080p/AVC-encoded video presentation. It's an upgrade from previous releases, sure. But colors tend to be rather muddy and primaries lack pop. Contrast is dialed in nicely, with deep black levels and reasonably natural skintones, but too many scenes appear underlit, under-supported or plain soft. Detail is average at best and fine textures are hit or miss (though heavy on the "miss"). Grain is chunky and inconsistent as well, and the print being used features occasional specks, spots and scratches. A fresh remaster clearly would have helped, particularly when it comes to the intermittent edge halos and artifacting eagle-eyed viewers will notice. All in all it's a worthwhile uptick from DVD but anyone expecting something akin to Paramount's best catalog releases will be disappointed.

What Women Want Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

"I'm the man-eating b--ch Darth Vader of the ad world..."

Paramount's DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 surround track is a solid addition to the release, despite the largely front-heavy nature of the film's stereotypically flat romcom sound design. Voices are clean, clear and nestled neatly in the center channel, while the thoughts Nick "hears" are bolstered by smooth pans and directional accuracy. Dynamics are decent too and the score, playful and brisk as it is, rises and fades without overpowering anything important. The rear speakers are used sparingly, although scenes that take place on crowded city streets prove to be a welcome exception, and low-end support is adequate but not exactly noteworthy. All told, it's a good track that doesn't step out of line.

What Women Want Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Audio Commentary - Director Nancy Meyers and production designer Jon Hutman move through the movie at quite a clip, with Meyers taking the reigns and leading the conversation. She's a delight, and full of tidbits and anecdotes, making this a better catalog track than you might expect. Besides, if you don't already dig the film, why are you looking to a commentary to win you over?

• The Making of What Women Want (SD, 19 minutes) - Dotted with interviews and behind-the-scenes footage, this lengthy but generic DVD-era Making Of is a nice little addition. Just don't expect much more than you already gleaned from the commentary.

• What Women Want: A Look Inside (SD, 7 minutes) - A shorter EPK that focuses on the characters.

• Theatrical Trailers (SD)

What Women Want Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

"Have you ever done that? Taken the wrong road? Of course not, you wouldn't do that. Somebody like me does that."

What Women Want is dated, features one too many Nick-must-be-gay jokes (alright already, we get it), and has the misfortune to star an actor whose reputation has become quite tarnished since the film's original release. Will any of that ruin the movie for fans? Probably not. If you continue to purchase Blu-rays in spite of antiquated social commentary or various actor/filmmaker controversies, this one won't pose much of a challenge. Paramount unfortunately doesn't help matters, serving up a less than impressive AV presentation. The film's previously released DVD commentary and standard definition special features are included but I'd have been more excited with a remaster. Is What Women Want a must have? Not in my corner of the world, but everyone has their guilty pleasures. Enjoy yours and don't let people like me stand in your way.