Rating: 
Summary: glimmers of intelligence
Review: Many of the comments in this movie resonated with me, a working mother in my mid-40s. This is something between a home movie and documentary, very personal and informal. The comments that inspired me didn't relate to working women's struggles, but gave a glimpse at the human condition. Laura Dern said: 'We're all asking the same questions. How do we feel safe, how do we keep our hearts open when there's so much fear?' A few of the women surprised me with their intelligence. Curious that we don't see this kind of introspection in professions dominated by men, or will we? Ten years from now, should we watch for Searching for Ricky Williams? (Miami Dolphins' star running back, who's retiring at the peak his career)
Rating:
Summary: Wine and Whine - Interesting Perspectives
Review: Rosanna Arquette directs this documentary (originally on Showtime) about the problem actresses over the age of forty have getting quality roles. There's a lot of truth told here, but the routine becomes exhausting after twenty minutes. In nearly every scene, groups of actresses (Diane Lane, Teri Garr, Holly Hunter, Meg Ryan Sharon Stone and more) are shown partying with wine in hand and complaining about the big male Hollywood thugs who only look at their tits. To be fair, there is truth to this, but the general atmosphere is a non-ending complaint fest. Jane Fonda and Vanessa Redgrave (both solo interviews) add some needed class with their own interpretations of what happens when an actress reaches a certain age, but they are few and far between. It was also hard to believe that Redgrave cannot afford to retire. Whoopi Goldberg is refreshing with her funny, no-nonsense, laissez-faire observation about the realities of life.
However, the actresses interviewed forget that there really are some women with talent over forty that are working. How about Julianne Moore, Cate Blanchette, Meryl Streep, Judi Dench, Jessica Lange, Naomi Watts, Gena Rowlands, Anjelica Huston, Halle Berry, Susan Sarandon, Jodie Foster, Emily Watson, Patricia Clarkson, Ellen Burstyn, Kathy Bates, Diane Keaton, Annette Bening, Helen Mirren and Sissy Spacek? I like all of the actresses in this documentary, but they are not the best of Hollywood. When Debra Winger does appear near the end of the film, we find yet another interesting take on an 'older'actresses life. It seems to put the entire film in perspective and a surprising one at that. It would be interesting to see a follow-up documentary to hear the responses from the aforementioned actresses after hearing Winger's point of view.
Rating: 
Summary: Celebrities' Humanity
Review: Rosanna Arquette heads up this exploration of the pressures, choices and sacrifices that female actors face working in the entertainment industry, particularly as they hit 40 and begin being overlooked for certain roles. Debra Winger is the example of a pioneer in this battle because of her decision to bow out of the industry while still in her prime.
Director:Rosanna Arquette
Starring:
Credited cast:
Patricia Arquette .... Herself
Rosanna Arquette .... Herself
Emmanuelle Béart .... Herself
Katrin Cartlidge .... Herself
Laura Dern .... Herself
Roger Ebert .... Himself
Jane Fonda .... Herself
Teri Garr .... Herself
Whoopi Goldberg .... Herself
Melanie Griffith .... Herself
Daryl Hannah .... Herself
Salma Hayek .... Herself
Holly Hunter .... Herself
Anjelica Huston .... Herself
Diane Lane .... Herself
Kelly Lynch .... Herself
Julianna Margulies .... Herself
Chiara Mastroianni .... Herself
Samantha Mathis .... Herself
Frances McDormand .... Herself
Catherine O'Hara .... Herself
Julia Ormond .... Herself
Gwyneth Paltrow .... Herself
Martha Plimpton .... Herself
Charlotte Rampling .... Herself
Vanessa Redgrave .... Herself
Theresa Russell .... Herself
Meg Ryan .... Herself
Ally Sheedy .... Herself
Adrienne Shelly .... Herself
Hilary Shepard .... Herself
Sharon Stone .... Herself
Tracey Ullman .... Herself
JoBeth Williams .... Herself
Debra Winger .... Herself
Alfre Woodard .... Herself
Robin Wright Penn .... Herself
(more)
Rating:
Summary: Unfocused Documentary Has Still Some Inspired Interviewees
Review: THE FILM starts with Rosanna Arquette questioning herself: "Cannot actresses balance between work and family? Especially after reaching 40?" Well, she says not exactly, but to the effect, and makes her intention very clear with a footage from Michael Powell film "The Red Shoes" (1948). The point is clear, and interesting if you watch the heroine's fate.
SO ROSANNA STARTs her journey, holding a hand-held camera, interviewing as many actresses as possible. Some of the interviewees are her good friends while some are probably encountered at the film festival in Cannes, and agreed to say a thing or two. The film comprises these footages until Rosanna goes to Debra Winger, who Rosanna says, retired from the profession. (But I am afraid that not all people share Rosanna's view that she actually 'retired.') Now, let's face it. AS A DOCUMENTARY, "Searching for Debra Winger" is a big failure, being too disjointed and having no focus. After all, there are so many actresses out there now, and many opinions too, especially those about their professions, this case acting. It's diversity, which should be treated more carefully. THE INTERVIEWEES include Patricia Arquette, Emmanuelle Beart, Katrin Cartlidge, Laura Dern, Jane Fonda, Teri Garr, Whoopi Goldberg, Melanie Griffith, Daryl Hannah, Salma Hayek, Holly Hunter, Dinae Lane, Kelly Lynch, Julianna Margulles, Chiara Mastroianni, Samantha Mathis, Frances McDormand, Catherine O'Hara, Julia Ormond, Gwyneth Paltrow, Martha Plimpton, Charlotte Rampling, Vanessa Redgrave, Theressa Russell, Meg Ryan, Ally Sheedy, Hilary Shephard-Turner, Sharon Stone, Tracy Ullman, JoBeth Williams, Debra Winger, Alfre Woodard, and Robin Wright Penn. I don't know why, but Roger Ebert pops up, saying very unique things about one Angelina Jolie film. (Come on, Roger, you must be kidding, right?) SOME OF THE INTERVIEWEES are very inspired, giving us insights into the business with humor and charms. You see Frances McDormand, and you understand her good-natured personality instantly. Or look at Charlotte Rampling (who appears with Katrin Cartlidge), and how she dresses herself. She is gorgeous, as seen in "Under the Sand" and her fashion sense! And we miss late Katrin Cartlidge, who shows her amiable down-to-earth personality. What is regrettable is that the time alloted to them (or some others) are too short. Why did they decide to include Roger Ebert? And if you say that actress's job gets harder after 40 (and I do not disagree), OK, where are those people? I mean, Streep, Weaver, Keaton, Close, Sarandon, and so on and on? On the UK side, how about Denti or Mirren? Or another Redgrave? On French side, how about Moreau or Deneuve? Rosanna must have approached to them, and if they declined interview, why did they? Because they think differently? Or just too busy? But if busy, Rossana's argument (about the profession) is no longer valid. I kept on thinking about it, and the idea certainly weakens the impact of the film's contents. You might, moreover, still hate some of the interviewees, who give too strong opinions. SOme of them are not convincing, and some are downright irritating. At least Rosanna Arquette should be prasied for inducing them to be honest, and whether you like it or not, what they say before the camera is never boring. The film is interesting to see regardless of the director's intentions, which gets blurred as the film goes on. Too many talks are gathered to support one coherent idea, but the interviews themselves are always fascinating.
Rating: 
Summary: What is the prime?
Review: The reviewer here says that Winger is special because she...'bows out during her prime.' Wrong! She sees no pictures in which women can act in their prime! During the entire film it is observed that as women age, of course they get better at their craft. But they cannot use these skills, because the thing that is prized above all in Hollywood in 'f*ck*bility.'
Rating: 
Summary: Pretentious and hackneyed
Review: This is a pretentious, hackneyed look at the meaning of life and relationships as told by a few Hollywood actresses. Firstly, it's hard to garner a great deal of sympathy for the woes and troubles of some wealthy film stars. Secondly, Patricia Arquette, the director of the documentary, makes it seem as though these actresses are full of insight and wisdom when they are really saying things that we've heard over and over again.
Stay away from this one. There's nothing really creative or original about it.
Rating: 
Summary: Thank you Jamie Cantwell
Review: Until I saw this movie, I never knew just how tough things are for these incredibly beautiful, internationally famous multi-millionaires.
Rating:
Summary: A Great Film -- A Moronic Rating...
Review: You must see this movie. As all the other reviews state, this documentary about women in Hollywood is first rate. Often these types of documentaries suffer mightily under the weight of overwhelming ego-angst of the personality who makes the film. However, Ms. Arquette walks that very narrow tightrope about expressing her own feelings and concerns--sharing herself--without overwhelming the viewer. I have always admired her work, but I think this is the best film that I have seen Ms. Arquette in. I cannot praise her work in "Searching" enough. The interview subjects are also beyond praise: Tracy Ullman talking about "dignity," in a way that is poignant--but still hilarious; Whoopi Goldberg, as the "smart Whoopie," talking about not having fame handed to her on a silver platter (the platter was platinum), and how her career choices affected her family; Martha Plymton describing her roles as being "the friend, with all her lines as questions ("How *are* you?" "Are you going to *out* with him?"); Ally Sheedy describing the main quality for women actors is reduced to "Ef-ability;" Daryl Hannah complaining about having to wear a short, brown haired wig to play the "mother" of a sixteen year old--when Kelly Lynch is the mother of a sixteen year old, and is no where near "mousy" by any definition. Almost all of the insights are terrific. Sharon Stone, in particular, I enjoyed. But Debra Winger--I cannot be objective about Ms. Winger. She is one of my favorite actors of all time, having the talent to display just the right mix of tenderness, sensuality, spunkiness, and intelligence (emphasis on the latter)--if you don't know what I mean, then I won't be able to explain it to you. Debra Winger is just what you'd expect: gracious and intelligent--the kind of person who you would hope she would be. Ms. Arquette is really to be commended for putting together one of the best films I have ever seen. And Holly Hunter--I need to give a special shout out re Ms. Hunter's conversation with Ms. Arquette. And the final credits--a perfect end to an almost perfect movie. [...] See this movie. You will be sorry if you do not.
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