What Women Want Review

Mel Gibson stars in "What Women Want" as Nick, a man’s man and a highly successful advertising executive. However times are changing and Nick is passed over for promotion when his boss (played by M.A.S.H. veteran Alan Alda) brings in Helen Hunt - his rival from another agency – to help update the company’s macho approach. Things really start to change for Nick when he suffers an accident in the bathtub and wakes up with the ability to ‘hear’ what women are thinking. Predictably he uses this new power selfishly at first to become a better lover and to get ahead at work, before ultimately becoming a better person and parent as he gets in touch with his feminine side.

This is very much a feelgood movie that sets out to keep a smile on your face for two hours, and have you leave the cinema with your faith in human nature renewed. Its overwhelming success at the US box office – where it has taken more than $160M so far – shows that it succeeds, and that Mel is still an ‘A’ list star. Although this will not be remembered as a Mel Gibson ‘classic’ – ultimately he makes a better action hero than comedic lead –as Saturday night entertainment "What Women Want" certainly delivers.