In The Land Of Women

Release date: April 20, 2007
Directed by: Jon Kasdan
Starring: Adam Brody, Kristen Stewart, Meg Ryan, Olympia Dukakis

If you don't know much about In The Land Of Women, you probably expect to be about one of two things: an average-looking guy's pursuit of the unattainable, or an expose into the lives of a bunch of really messed-up women. OK, so maybe it's a little bit of both, but it's still an insightful look into relationships from the point of view of both men and (multiple generations) of women.

Adam Brody plays Carter, a twenty-something writer, who upon being dumped by his famous actor girlfriend (whom he thought was "the one"), decides to leave the sunny skies of L.A. for Michigan. Under the guise of caring for his almost senile grandmother (Dukakis), Carter is really on a quest for rejuvenation and self-reflection.

Almost immediately after his arrival at granny's house, he ends up getting caught in the middle of the daily drama of Sarah (Ryan), the seemingly perfect housewife across the street, and her teenaged daughter, Lucy (Stewart).

Although the film is at first about Carter's breakup and his quest to "find himself," his past relationship problems quickly dissipate as he becomes the object of intrigue for all of the women (including his grandmother). But, it's not all about Carter. Sarah is also experiencing her own emotional awakening, which includes an intense longing for emotional intimacy, and Lucy is dealing with some deep-rooted internalized anger.

This is a nice foray for Brody into the world of "serious" acting. He's funny yet vulnerable, and during scenes with Ryan he's able to match her impeccable ability to deliver believable lines. Also, this is a total breakthrough role for Stewart. Only 17 years old, she has an intense on-screen presence and youthful exuberance that draws you in.

Ultimately, the film's only flaw is that when each of the very complex plotlines intersect with the main story, an otherwise simple premise becomes convoluted by an over abundance of drama. That said, there's a lot of richness in the dialogue and enough characters to keep things interesting. As unbelievable as it may be, Brody really does make In The Land Of Women worth watching.