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What Women Want
Mel Gibson, Helen Hunt Paramount Picture 2000 PG-13 Now in theaters
Nick Marshall. Men revere him. Women want him...and hate him. He thinks he's all that and a few chest hairs more. In truth, while he can persuade the fairer sex into his bed, he can't keep them there. He has no real understanding of ladies or love. When an expected promotion goes to a female foe, Nick doesn't take it with his usual bravado. Instead he gets drunk and delves into the dark side...pantyhose, support bra, mascara, mousse, nail polish, lipstick, pore strip and ouch! waxing. In an effort to research these feminine frivolities for the ad agency he works for he tries them out. He's hoping for divine inspiration and a way to show up Darcy Maguire, the woman who stole his job. Instead, his escapade into the estrogen zone lands him in hot water...with a blow dryer. Snap! Crackle! Pop! Nick's no longer a clueless cretin, but a mind-reading male. He can hear women's thoughts and they aren't what he'd imagined. At first he's overwhelmed, insulted (as he should be!), and freaked out. Then he recognizes the advantage (no matter how unfair it may be) and decides to use his power to oust Darcy. A little eavesdropping here, a little manipulation there, and Nick's presenting Darcy's ad ideas as his own, but doing it in such a charming way she's duped into the whole "our great minds must be thinking alike" philosophy. Predictably his plan begins to work as he gains company kudos. Unforeseen (at least for Nick) is that listening to Darcy is making him view her in a new light. The question then becomes, which is more important, love or livelihood? Mel Gibson plays Nick Marshall as a sexy scoundrel. The twinkle in his eye and bedevilment in his grin are nearly enough to make you forgive him his dishonesty, but it's the transformation from uncaring gigolo to sensitive stud that completely wins you over. Viewers will happily embrace Gibson as a romantic hero. In truth, they already have. 'What Women Want' had the best December opening in box office history, earning an estimated $34.4 million according to Variety (12/18/00). The movie has also garnered Mel a Golden Globe nomination for best performance by an acor in a motion picture -- musical or comedy.
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