What The Critics Say

"A funny film, taking Ira Levin's brilliant dystopic conceit in some surprising and surprisingly lighthearted directions." Eugene Novikov FILM BLATHER "This version of The Stepford Wives had us, and everyone around us, busting a gut. That, for those too young to know that arcane turn of the phrase, means the laughter ran hot and heavy. A scream -- the funny kind." Chuck Schwartz CRANKY CRITIC® "The moral of this story makes perfect sense: perfection doesn't work." Betty Jo Tucker REELTALK MOVIE REVIEWS "...wily and engaging..." Tony Toscano TALKING PICTURES "A welcome new spin, a brash style, and more big laughs than expected on an old tale that still holds quite a bit of relevance." Dustin Putman THEMOVIEBOY.COM

"Don't try to figure the logic of the ending. Just sit back and enjoy a funny movie." Vince Koehler ENTERTAINMENT SPECTRUM "A movie with plenty of cracks in the plaster, but papered over with so many jokes that most people won't notice, or care." Gary Thompson PHILADELPHIA DAILY NEWS "There's enough snappy comedy to keep this remake of the 1975 original afloat, thanks largely to the triple talent of three supporting actors: Bette Midler, Glenn Close and the far less famous but very funny Roger Bart." Mary F Pols CONTRA COSTA TIMES "Rudnick specializes in hurling poison darts. Here he throws armloads of them, and a surprising number hit the board." Wesley Morris BOSTON GLOBE "The original thriller was accidentally campy, while Oz's film is very much in on the joke." Karina Montgomery CINERINA

At A Glance

"It has a wonderfully wounding malice directed at both the Stepford, Conn., contingent of Energizer Bunny wives and the New Yorkers who have just moved in." ... Richard Corliss TIME MAGAZINE

The story goes that "when producers Scott Rudin and Donald De Line, director Frank Oz and screenwriter Paul Rudnick got together to update "The Stepfoed Wives", the 1975 motion picture thriller based on the Ira Levin best-selling book, they recognized its potential to become, as Rudnick put it, a real modern comedy." Perhaps someone should have told the critics, because in the USA there were very few who saw the real merit in the re-make and prefered rather to compare the 2004 version, which really is quite funny, and has a terrific cast, with the thriller produced nearly 30 years ago. So long ago that any one born after 1993 most probably hasn't even heard of it. It's fair to say that there has been a lot of water under the bridge since the original Stepford Wives was spawned in what some describe as, "a response to the first wave of feminism in America during the 1970's." But let's face it, a lot has happened in those thirty plus years. But is there a trap taking on a subject such as that which features in "The Stepford Wives"? "Comedy is a kind of dangerous thing to do when you're dealing with social commentary, with characters' feelings and with darkness and evil," says director Frank Oz. "But I think people will feel that the edginess of our humour is right on target." And, according to Oz, who is well known thanks to his work on comedies such as "Bowfinger" and "In & Out", "the film's appeal was in the way it mixed comedy with darkness." Of course it takes a lot of guts to put forward a concept such as that of "The Stepford Wives" even today in the 21st century, one in which women are still making headway into areas once considered the domain of men. So is that why "The Stepford Wives" became a comedy? "In today's world, women can be enormously powerful," observes Rudnick. "They've made enormous strides, but that still doesn't sit well with their husbands. So, by creating this town of 'model' wives and laughing at the notion of it, I was able to give the story a contemporary spin." Rudnick had previously work with Frank Oz on the film "In & Out" and knows "the director has such a reverence for comedy. Frank is a writers dream and a wonderful collaborator, but what I personally adore about him is that he gets the joke." The funny side of "The Stepford Wives" wasn't lost on the cast either.
Nicole Kidman who plays Joanna, explained that "Coming off an intense drama I was ready to do something fun, and I loved the idea of teaming up with Glenn and Bette. I also love the way Paul Rudnick mixes politics and pop culture, and of course, Frank Oz is so adept with this sort of material, I knew he could guide me into new comedic territory." Five time Oscar nominee Glenn Close plays Claire Wellington. Perfect host, perfect wife, party hostess and more. "When I first thought about doing this movie, I thought it would be great fun working with a great ensemble of actors," she said. Paul Rudnick adds, "Close is hysterically 'perfect' in the role. Glenn's character embodies Stepford in its comedic persona, its mad passion, and in its dementia."
One character everone will love is Bobby Markowitz played by the multi talented Bette Midler. The four time Grammy Award winner explains "Bobbie is a sardonic character from New York's Upper West Side with a sharp tongue and even sharper wit. She knows there's something strange behind all the beautiful women in Stepford." The arrival of Joanna brings together not only Bobbie, but also "another newcomer from Manhattan, a flambouyant gay architect named Roger Bannister. That's right, a gay architect. Well gays can be couples too. So don't panic.
"A gay couple has every right to the same insane quest for perfection as hetrosexuals," says Rudnick. "In fact, Roger and Jerry, like a lot of gay men, are every bit as confused by the enormous and rapid changes of our culture. So when they wind up in Stepford, they get in just as much trouble as every straight couple there."
Making her big screen debut in her first feature film is well known singer and Grammy Award winner Faith Hill. Of her character, former airline CEO Sarah Sunderson, Faith says, "The character was great fun to play. I mean, when I malfunction things go a little crazy and the sparks really fly." Finally, part of the magic of "The Stepford Wives" is it's appearance. First there's Stepford itself. The look has been described by Frank Oz as being "defined by new money. It's money made by computer people, electronics people and dot-coms. Their homes are new and gorgeous and there's no real history or texture in this town." Second is the appearance of those who live in Stepford. That look comes thanks to the acclaimed talents of costume designer Ann Roth who says, "the male side is filled with saturated colors and heavy with pigment, while the female side is enhanced by floral colors." Then there is the interior of the beautiful homes. Everything is just perfect. But you'd expect that in Stepford! Like Bobbie's huge kitchen which is made all the more impressive thanks to florist Christopher Bassett who "played a pivotal role throughout the shoot, using elaborate and exotic flowers to further illustrate the luxurious Stepford home." And, it really does add a magical dimension to those scenes. "There's something about the metaphor of those flowers, perfectly arranged, which is really powerful," Bassett said. "Flowers are a very effective way of bringing the outside world in and transforming a home into a dream house." Kidman Poster Parade Cast & Crew Bytes "The Stepford Wives" was ........
directed by Frank Oz ["Little Shop Of Horrors", "In & Out", "What About Bob?" and "The Score"]; produced by Scott Rudin ["Changing Lanes", "The Firm" and "The Truman Show"], Donald De Line ["Domestic Disturbance" and "The Italian Job"], Edgar J Scherick ["The Stepford Wives", "Sleuth", "Mrs Soffel" and "The Stepford Wives"] and Gagriel Grundfeld ["The Only Thrill" and "Warriors"]; edited by Jay Rabinowitz A.C.E ["Requiem for a Dream" and "Coffee and Cigarettes"]; costume design by Academy Award winner Ann Roth ["The English Patient", "The Talented Mr Ripley", "Places In The Heart" and "The Others"]; original music by Grammy Award winner David Arnold ["Changing Lanes", "Die Another Day", "Shaft", "Zoolander" and "The World Is Not Enough"] and cinematography by Rob Hahn A.S.C ["Batman Returns", "In & Out", "French Kiss", "Grand Canyon" and "The Score"].
"The Stepford Wives" stars ........
Academy Award winner Nicole Kidman ["Bush Christmas", "Moulin Rouge", "The Others", "Dogville" and "Cold Mountain"]; Two Time Tony Award winner Matthew Broderick ["The Night We Met", "Project X", "The Cable Guy" and "Biloxi Blues"]; Academy Award winner Christopher Walken ["The Deer Hunter", "The Dead Zone", "Catch Me If You Can" and "Plots With A View"]; Grammy Award, Tony Award and Golden Globe Award winner Bette Midler ["Ruthless People", "Big Business', "Beaches" and "The First Wives Club"]; Drama Desk Award winner Roger Bart ["Triumph Of Love", "The Secret Garden", "Big River" and "Tommy"]; Grammy Award winnerFaith Hill ["The Stepford Wives"]; Lorri Bagley ["Kingpin", "The Deli", "Mickey Blue Eyes" and "Peroxide Passion"]; Jon Lovitz ["Three Amigos", "Big", "North" and "Rat Race"]; David Marshall Grant ["French Postcards", "Air America" and "The Chamber"] and Three Time Tony Award winner Glenn Close ["The World According To Garp", "The Big Chill", "The Natural", "Fatal Attraction" and "Dangerous Liasons"] as Claire Wellington. The Story

"A stylish comedic re-imagining of the '70s feminist thriller, filled with witchy wit and war-of-the-sexes stingers as well as a number of delicious performances." ... Tom Long DETROIT NEWS

Meet "The Stepford Wives". They are unique when it comes to defining the word wife. Their homes are spotless, they love to cook, socialize and they always look perfect. Why? Because they are the Stepford Wives and, in a world of imperfection Stepford Wives are distinct and very different. They are every husbands dream. A Stepford wife is alway eager to please her man. The Stepford Wife, perfect for the man who thinks he has everything. Joanna Eberhard, youngest president in the history of the EBS television network, has the world at her feet. Until her world comes crashing down after a reality show goes terribly wrong. Sacked by the network Joanna suffers a nervous breakdown. A perfect marriage, a wonderful husband, two beautiful children everything Joanna had is now in jeopardy. Husband Walter decides it's time to move, to pack up the family and relocate to the idyllic Stepford, Connecticut. To Joanna, Stepford appears too perfect to be true. The Wives are always dressed immaculately, love cooking, mowing the lawns, tend their children, yet at the end of the day they still have the energy to greet their husbands in tempting lingerie. Walter on the other hand thinks Stepford is just great. To Walter, "This twon, and the houses, and this place - it's like a dream. Like the way life should be." But Stepford is far from perfect as Walter and Joanna discover. The Verdict "A film that delivers a strong message about societies obsessional search for perfection. Forget that this is a remake and enjoy "The Stepford Wives" for what it is. An entertaining, witty, fun-filled film with a terrific cast. Kidman delivers the goods in "The Stepford Wives" as do Bette Midler, Glenn Close, Christopher Walken and the delightful Roger Bart. Plenty of good laughs here for both sexes. Looking for the perfect wife? Try the "Stepford Wives". Well worth a look at." The Cast

Nicole Kidman Matthew Broderick Bette Midler Glenn Close Christopher Walken Roger Bart David Marshall Grant Jon Lovitz Dylan Hartigan Fallon Brooking Faith Hill Matt Malloy Kate Shindle Tom Riis Farrell Lorri Bagley Robert Stanton Lisa Masters Christopher Evan Welch Colleen Dunn Jason Kravits

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Joanna Eberhard Walter Kresby Bobbie Markowitz Claire Wellington Mike Wellington Roger Bannister Jerry Harmon Dave Markowitz Peter Kresby Kimberly Kresby Sarah Sunderson Herb Sunderson Beth Peters Stan Peters Charmaine Van Sant Ted Van Sant Carol Wainwright Ed Wainwright Marianne Stevens Vic Stevens

The Crew Directed by Frank Oz Adapted from the book by Ira Levin Screenplay by Paul Rudnick Executive Producers Keri Selig and Ronald M Bozman Produced by Donald De Line/Gabriel Grunfeld/Scott Rudin/Edgar J Scherick Associate Producer Leslie J Converse Original Music by David Arnold Cinematography by Rob Hahn Film Editing by Jay Rabinowitz Casting by Laura Rosenthal and Juliet Taylor Production Design by Jackson De Govia Art Direction by Peter Rogness Costume Design by Ann Roth Hair Stylist Jerry Popolis Makeup Artist Joseph Farulla Location Manager Joseph Aquino Rated M15+ [AUST] Run Time 93 minutes Copyright © 2004 - Paramount Pictures and Dreamworks Pictures - All Rights Reserved Copyright Protected © 2004 - Impact Internet Services - All Rights Reserved