The Stepford Wives

Rating:
Summary: Martha Stewart Takes Over the World
Review: Every time I see "Martha Stewart's Living" on television, for some reason this film comes to mind. If you're a fan of horror / sci-fi films that are interspersed with bits of wry comedy, then this is a film for you. Like Ira Levin's other book-adapted-to-film, "Rosemary's Baby", this is an example of a film where it's obvious to the viewer what is happening 10-15 minutes into the movie (that is, if you don't know the film by its reputation), but, unfortunately, our heroine, in this case Katharine Ross, doesn't realize what's going on until it's literally spelled out for her. I personally believe that the film also encourages individualism,() But if you're a "campy-horror" fan, this will be a treat for you regardless.

Rating:
Summary: A Horror Story About Conformity and Technology
Review: Just saw Stepford Wives again after a number of years, it was very chilling and well done. I thought it was interesting that the men were as dull and humorless as the robots they replaced their wives with; also, that Joanna and her friend Bobby (as well as their husbands) have already made compromises in their lives: Joanna's deference to her husbands wish to move to Stepford, Bobbie's comment about her last name of Markoe having been changed from the more ethnic (Jewish?) Markowitz. Her own last name has been given up for her husband's in marriage; her husband's last name has been altered to sound more homogenous. Another interesting aspect of the movie is the town's highly technological economic base, while its surface appearance is of a traditional, idealized village, culminating in the men's organization headquarters, which is a historic restored mansion and must be preserved (much like the men are preserving their wives' youthful beauty by replicating them as robots)as explained to Joanna by the security guard when he warns her to stick close to her home. When Joanna is lured inside at the end, it turns out to be a sterile, dark and empty place, much like the minds and bodies of the robots, except for the curious replica of her bedroom, which is apparently designed to get the robot used to its most important place, where it will perform for Joanna's husband(or perhaps already has). It was also interesting that Joanna is unsuccessful at interesting the male gallery owner in her photographs until she insecurely pleads her case with unthreateningly domestic and cute subject matter: photographs of her and Bobbie's children. Even then, the gallery owner asks her 'what she wants to get out it', as if she needs to justify herself as a woman daring to take pictures; Joanna's response is somewhat conflicted; over and over again she gives in passively in the face of male opposition.

Rating:
Summary: An honest exploration of Mormonism
Review: This film is an honest exploration of the Mormom cult. Softly covered up as a tale of brain-washed cookie-makers... "The Stepford Wives" is an obvious, honest and effective early warning of the sickness of the Mormon cult. I rate this film 5 stars. It can only be seen to be belived. Its widescreen grandeur is now restored as well. (Mildly amusing as most modern day Mormon women could not fit into any widescreen view.)

jared

Rating:
Summary: The Best Study of the Religion I have seen on film!
Review: This film is an obvious - early day attempt to explore Mormonism. The film works. The 'stepford' cult as a thinly veiled exploration of the Mormon religion works to the full extent the frightening Mormon cult creates and deserves to this day. Sick little women making cakes and cookies, pleasing multiple male partners - make this film a must have for every person belonging to or afraid of the Mormon cult. 5 stars.

Rating:
Summary: Stepford Wives Rarely Shown On TV
Review: and that's a shame because this is an excellent movie. It should be required viewing for every liberal feminist in this country. Katherine Ross, Paula Prentiss, Tina Louise, and Patrick O'Neal all give fine performances. The climactic scene is unforgettable when Katherine Ross confronts herself.

Rating:
Summary: A Menacingly, Creepy Movie with Believable Acting
Review: I fell in love with the beautiful Katharine Ross at age 12 when I first saw a TV Movie sequel called "Wanted, the Sundance Woman" and decided I want to see all of her movies. I always loved Horror/Suspense movies and one night I caught The Stepford Wives on cable. The movie has an above average, almost artsy quality to it, and definitely ranks with some of the best suspense films of all time. Though menacingly slow in the first half, once the second half comes around the movie really takes off. The reason I think the movie struck such a nerve with me was because she, although being a very bright woman as her doctor put it in the movie, played frightened so well.(Check out that scene with her doctor, just plain good acting, she is believable.) This is an actress who always seems to play roles very low key, yet is so effective as if she is playing a very average Joe/Josephine, A REAL PERSON! Prentiss who is also excellent, lends just the right amount of comic relief, in that dept. she is a natural. All the players do fabulously. The story seems to work because, unlike todays movies, it isn't overshadowed by Special Effects, strength is on story and it makes you do a little thinking to try & find out exactly what is going on. Although the movie has by todays standards a downbeat ending, it really is a great ending. The main character gets caught at the end. Not to say I wasn't bummed when she met her doom,(I was really upset) but it doesn't fall into typical Hollywood cliche's by doing this. I grew up in that exact type of town outside of Boston, so the movie hit's home a bit. I'm always glad to hear people make reference to the movie every once in a while, it obviously struck a nerve with the rest of the country when it came out 24 years ago. I always recomend it to people and let them borrow my video whenever. I miss Katharine Ross, and wish she would do more acting, even with her husband. She ranks up there with my favorites, Faye Dunaway, Sally Field and Ellen Burstyn. And that goes ditto for the Stepford Wives, if you appreciate a smart story laced with chills, you'll love it!

Rating:
Summary: It was a great scary movie, and I would like to see a sequel
Review: This is a scary movie. It is so weird but yet realistic and those two combinations are scary when put together. I would like to see a y2k sequel. Although I have heard there is a movie out there called Revenge of the Stepford Wives.

Rating:
Summary: after 20 years of suspense/horror movies, this is the best!
Review: The most eerie feeling is knowing that this could be happening in today's world...For a horror movie from 1975, this one will definately keep you on the edge of your seat and make you wonder if it could really happen!

Rating:
Summary: Great movie, but shoddy digital transfer.
Review: Overall this movie was great, but I do have to say that the digital transfer for the DVD is very poor, in fact the porest I've seen in a long time. The black parts (night time shots) in the picture have heavy pixelization. So do not buy the DVD you will be disapointed, especially if you are a heavy dvdphile.

Rating:
Summary: Scary, suspenseful, and thoroughly entertaining!
Review: In Stepford, Conecticut, the women are devoted housewives that give their out-of-shape, wrinkled, or okay husbands ultimate pleasure. But there's one little catch, as beautiful Katharine Ross soon discovers. The women are actually robot clones of the real humans! If you think about it, it's pretty creepy. A MASTERPIECE.