Sci-Fi Classic Review: THE STEPFORD WIVES (1975)

[@elaineteeter9485]

The picture was released when I was in high school and it was terrifying. That shot of Joanna's replacement, with those blank, black eyes, I will never forget...

[@lilyjade3450]

as much as the ending to the stepford wives broke my heart to see joanna and bobby face that fate, i understand that it was necessary to have it end this way and that having a happy ending would've defeated the message the film was trying to convey.

[@bar-1studios]

Although the changing times now make it a happy ending. That load of groceries probably cost twenty bucks, and imagine having the time at home enough to cook and actually *enjoy* a dinner like some kind of vlogger who doesn't even have to try. This is also why we hate boomers so damned much.

[@yesreneau]

This movie made me cry, and now I've been watching/reading analyses for the past 2 hours trying to regain hope

[@TheUnapologeticGeek]

I sincerely wish you the best!

[@bar-1studios]

Ah... a... a year ago, watching a50 year old movie made you lose "hope" somehow?

[@johnboy32064]

It’s so sad that Bobbie didn’t figure it out in time.

[@janetsmith8566]

I’m the film there’s one more character- a black woman who MAY have figured it out- it’s left hanging- I’ve always regretted that the film eliminated the only black couple, and the only one who MAY have gotten away. It adds a lot to the book.

[@louiehusted6173]

@@janetsmith8566 I agree. The black couple are seen arguing briefly during the closing scene at the supermarket, very chilling indicating the cycle is about to begin again.

[@janetsmith8566]

@@louiehusted6173 I missed that completely! Great excuse to REWATCH 😆

[@louiehusted6173]

@@janetsmith8566 do it! Classic movie that only gets better with age

[@janetsmith8566]

@@louiehusted6173 total agreement!

[@DungeonStudio]

The original is definitely THE BEST, and it's really grown on me over time. I think it's popularity and possibly core audience was when the movie was relegated to TV airings and watched by women in the south, mid west, and north west. Women that were (and maybe still are?) on the fence about tradition, perception, love and loyalty, and somehow being 'independently feminist' as well. And interesting all the women considered for the role, and that even Brian DePalma dabbled with it. Though a polar opposite in one way - it is VERY similar in another to his 'Boys In The Band' movie dealing with recognizing and accepting gay culture. And could still be a great 'double feature' to this day. :)

[@NoMarketMedia]

Having not looked into the making of this film or the book, I couldn't imagine it with all the women running around scantily clad. That change in costuming was absolutely the correct choice! Great review as always ☺️

[@TheUnapologeticGeek]

I know, right? When I came across that little detail, I had to do a double-take.

[@DCMarvelMultiverse]

I watched this with my mom on CBS late night back in the day. She connected with it. She was born in 48. I watched it again in 06 and have been a die hard since. Sometimes a film or book falls in and out of timeliness. It is back in now.

[@HrtbeatofAmrica]

This was on TV?

[@DCMarvelMultiverse]

I look to this film whenever robots and robo-mates are mentioned. A company building your perfect mate? Give a madman time.

[@janetsmith8566]

Unfortunately you’re right…..

[@bar-1studios]

Madman? Or sanest man in the room? Look, what threat is there to women? 50 of young men 18 to 29 aren't even *dating* now. No romantic aspirations whatsoever.

[@danityvanityinsanity]

There’s such thing as robotoids.

[@jackrosati1438]

Never heard of this movie until yesterday when I found this video. Paused it once you mentioned there was a secret to the wives. Just finished the movie, really awesome. Wish these was a blu-ray release of this.

[@JD-vh1qd]

The conservative clothes was the best choice . Women had become empowered in the 60 s to express their sexuality. I remember my very insecure father always telling my mother not to wear revealing clothing .

[@behindthescenesphotos5133]

It was a stylistic choice, not a realistic one. Did most men want to see their wives dressed in big, goofy hats and long dresses? Maybe it was an East Coast thing. My dad never said anything about how my mom dressed as far as I can remember, but she never dressed in a way that would be considered "out of place" for the occasion. I'm not saying the robot wives should all have been wearing bikinis 24/7 or dressing like strippers at a barbecue or housewarming party, but it seems like something in-between would make more sense. A sun suit here... shorts there... The remake at least acknowledged the absurdity and tried to play with it. Realistically, you'd have to think of what look was popular at the time, would they want the robots they were *ahem* "with" to resemble Charlie's Angels or June Cleaver? Even June Cleaver was never that overdressed.

[@bar-1studios]

Honestly looking back from the present, your dad was right. Those 60s & 70s fashions were the worst. My... parents had some boomer holdover leather-ish vest with fur lining inside? Hanging in a closet for years. I can only assume one of them cosplayed as Ghengis Kahn for Halloween one year. Although now I think a guy can just say, "If you go out like that you'll look cringe."

[@jlovebirch]

Great research job. Stepford is based on my hometown, Wilton, CT where Levin lived in the 60s. The book describes the town center in detail. I wrote a long article on the book and movie versions, pointing out the actual locations in the novel, etc. It was printed in the sci-fi 'zine Challenger and Scary Monsters magazine (Monster Memories #26).

[@TheWriterWalker]

Just discovered the channel. Nicely done review! I have always personally LOVED the 1975 film, and I began feeling like Katharine Ross' character in March 2020, when much of the world began acting like robots on their way to destruction.

[@CaminoAir]

Thank you yet again. I still remember the experience of watching this film for the first time.....which would be about 40 years ago. William Goldman included the film as part of the fictionalised introduction to 'The Princess Bride', which is puzzling given his feelings about it. Although, thinking about it now......the bathing beauty Goldsman describes talking to might be his way of presenting his idea of a Stepford Wife. Bryan Forbes was a familiar and dependable character actor, before moving into directing. Nanette Newman also had a long advertising association with a major washing up liquid brand and..............Hey! Real life imitates art. I always thought Patrick O'Neal was Peter Lawford!

[@janetsmith8566]

Moral does look just like him. I was thrown too!

[@SilkySkillsUnited]

Brian De Palma would have been incredible for this film. He would have been fresh off of 'Sisters' and 'Phantom of the Paradise' and probably would have made this film about 10 times better.

[@louiehusted6173]

Damn, you're so spot on (and I'm a huge fan of this movie)

[@chaoscontrol3838]

Easily in my Top 10 since the first time I saw it at 10 years old. It's wickedly funny, terrifying (conceptually) and breaks my heart every time. I've been looking for Michael Small's score for years but outside of a couple themes I don't think it will ever be available.

[@janetsmith8566]

It’s so unique, isn’t it? Really stays with you.

[@rsacchi100]

I love the way you requested a thumbs up. I wonder how many people heard the term "Stepford Wives" without knowing the reference. The ending is shocking. Criticizing the movie for its depiction of men would seem understandable. Criticizing "The Stepford Wives" for its treatment of women would seem like criticizing "Fahrenheit 451" because it advocates book burning. I agree with you about changing to '50s TV commercial housewife dress was an excellent idea. Charmaine Wimpiris (Tina Louise) also made the newbies an interesting trio; they are different types of wives who are brought to Stepford.

[@TheUnapologeticGeek]

That comparison to Fahrenheit 451 is spot on. It boggles my mind that so many people thought this movie was anti-woman.

[@janetsmith8566]

Agreed. Have you read the book? There was also a black family and the black wife is yet another personality so it’s a good mix. Pity the film left her out.

[@janetsmith8566]

@@TheUnapologeticGeek it seems only women said that- upper level libbers. Not helpful. Maybe they were jealous they didn’t make the film themselves.

[@rsacchi100]

@@janetsmith8566 I haven't read the book. The movie seemed almost made to order for a sequel. The shocking ending alse also makes a great segway for a sequel.

[@janetsmith8566]

@@rsacchi100 agree with you 1000 per cent. Let’s write it!

[@bradandterry]

One of my all time sci-fi/horror faves! Kudos for the excellent review!

[@Malvito]

This one continues to scare the *redacted* out of me, even knowing the ending. Mostly because of the blank stare from Katherine Ross at the very end, which has a creepy INVASION OF THE BODY SNATCHERS vibe. I also think that the pacing actually works for it, though I am probably alone in that. William Goldman has written several very good books about writing for the movies; he stated his Stepford Wives case in ADVENTURES OF THE SCREEN TRADE. Don't know if I agree with him or not (certainly at this point it's academic, at best), but I can appreciate what he had intended to attempt. I also grok that he was most active during the more auteurist period of filmmaking, and, while not being quite as, say, Harlan Ellisonian as Harlan Ellison, he could be quite prickly about putting forth his intentions and then having them altered. One of the TV sequels, if I recall correctly, was THE STEPFORD CHILDREN; ironically, several years down the road, DISTURBING BEHAVIOR would go for that vibe. I also disliked the Frank Oz redo. I appreciate the reasons behind his tonal shift .. when A Stepford Wife is a part of the vocabulary, there isn’t much to surprise anyone., but, then, why bother to do it? Stephen King mentions this one, at length, in his text DANSE MACABRE. Looking forward to your next one 👍

[@janetsmith8566]

I totally thought of invasion of the body snatchers too!! Compare and contrast!

[@jimkocherful]

"Invasion of the Body Snatchers" is one of my favorite movies. I think that the biggest reason I like this movie isn't because of the feminist themes, but it's a classic "we're gonna getcha" horror movie.

[@eduardo_corrochio]

Thanks for all the info about this thriller. My first exposure to this movie was in my tween years, on TV one afternoon on a local channel. It was such a wickedly fun mix of dark chills and satire. I was giggling one moment and then aghast the next. The cast is solid, particularly Tina Louise, and of course Paula Prentiss-- can't imagine this movie without her presence. The sequel was rather goofy in tone, if memory serves; but it's been a long time since I watched that one so I can't guarantee that. I seem to recall Julie Kavner (Marge Simpson's voice, and classic TV Rhoda's sister Brenda) being in it. Marge might qualify as being Stepford-ish; her daughter Lisa called her out on it in the episode "Separate Vocations" (S3E18), basically dismissing her mother as a drudge chained to a stove. Servitude, dominance and suppression are strong elements in "The Stepford Wives". And in real life, what men did to women after WWII was one small part of America's ugly heritage of slavery. It was such a "stay home, clean, cook, tend to the kids" thing that was conditioned into women psychologically. The whole _Honey, I'm home_ attitude can be a bit cringe inducing when we realize how very dependent males had made their wives back then. When we really think about it, it's not unlike something of a prison sentence, being thrust into marriage in the post-war years. I really wonder how many ladies were genuinely content fetching hubby's cocktail and slippers, and for leisure time exchanging Simplicity patterns or recipe cards with fellow wives. For me, this movie is similar in some ways to another 70's dark fantasy flick, "Westworld", in the sense that a male fantasy scenario comes close to reality, whether it's a medieval setting or a wild west town. Wish fulfillment gone loco. Lastly: It's both hilarious and sad that you needed to put in a little on-screen explanation that mustache-twirling isn't literal. Makes me think of the sinister cartoon bad guy Snidely Whiplash, who was a 1960's spoof of that fictional type.

[@janetsmith8566]

I respect your opinions but not all women felt enslaved in the 50s! And men didn’t purposely do it to them. How people arrange their home lives is complicated. And not everyone is a cookie cutter pattern of the next person. Many people miss the security and stability of those times- it was not bad for all- so a balanced view is best. Having said that I love this movie 💕

[@eduardo_corrochio]

@@janetsmith8566 Yes, I realize I was probably generalizing too much about housewives and about men wanting to keep them cooking and cleaning and birthing. But a lot of interesting stuff went down after WW2, and a lot of it involved conforming to what was expected. But to be fair, much of it was good. Unless you were black or gay or Hispanic or ... oops, I think I'm doing it again. :)

[@CatBitchNami]

You are saying like all that stuff began after WW2 and was not always the case since forever. That enslavement was there in different forms.

[@eduardo_corrochio]

@@CatBitchNami Well, obviously slavery's been around since humans have ... not just since WW2 or when Americans went to Africa and brought back a slew of natives from the 1600s thru the 1800s, or when housewives felt shackled to the kitchen in the mid 20th century. I did not say slavery began after the war. This movie is set in the post-war period when women's lib began to get big, and that's the era to which I was referring.

[@CatBitchNami]

@@eduardo_corrochio I meant housewives social enslavement, actual slavery actually still happens and is still very common in several countries sadly.

[@PungiFungi]

I never understand why Joanna's husband would trade her in for a big breasted empty headed robot replacement.... because as portrayed by Ross, she was actually the PERFECT housewife.

[@jimkocherful]

I think he felt threatened by her photography hobby, that she wanted it to become a career.

[@ruthbarr3159]

He was thretend by her becoming a real person, getting a career and leaving him..

[@kylecurry577]

Other great political/social movies “Dr. Strangelove” & “Invasion of the Body Snatchers “.

[@ericredlefsen5554]

Well done. Never knew that was Forbes hand that stabs Bobby, great trivia.

[@nealwhaley63]

The only complaint I have about the film is that Joanna and Bobbie are smart and interpretive in their investigation, but then just walk into the trap anyway. They determine the romantic weekends out of town with husbands are when the transformations occur. When it’s Bobbie’s turn, however, she just packs a bag and trots out the door. And don’t get me started on Joanna going into the lion’s den in the middle of the night, alone, armed only with a fireplace poker. By that point, I was rooting for the robots.

[@jacindaellison3363]

That climax where Joanna flat out allowed Dis take the poker away from was a joke. That woman almost bludgeoned her own husband to death in order to force him to tell her where her kids were. The fact that she just let Dis take her only weapon away anticlimactic. Heck, even Joanna's actress admitted her character gave up too quickly, and if given the script, she would've had Joanna fight harder.

[@adamt1564]

Agreed--the script needed to find a better way to entrap Joanna and Bobbie. It doesn't really work as filmed.

[@stephaniel7002]

If someone told me that they thought this movie had a happy ending, I'd run the other way.

[@johnpresnell]

Another excellent video, this may be your best yet.

[@TheUnapologeticGeek]

Thank you, good sir!

[@DonatoDamiano-r2g]

Paula Prentiss should have been nominated for an Oscar in the Best Supporting Actress category. She is so funny, so full of life, the perfect buddy for Joanna! Katharine Ross was great, too, don't get me wrong, but it's Paula's character as Bobbie that keeps us coming back even after seeing this movie 20 x! A truly chilling story. Ira Levin has written so many great novels that have turned into some pretty great films! 📚🎥😊

[@davids5336]

This film reminds me of Invasion Of The Body Snatchers, Pleasantville, quite a few episodes of The Twilight Zone and Outer Limits! Don't we all sometimes feel like we're in Hotel California, a place that has all the material and physical things we thought we needed and wanted? Life can feel like a cage , even if it's a golden cage lined with platinum, diamonds and other precious metals and gems, it's still a cage! Too much freedom, not enough freedom! It's all a balancing act, and it is also all very ironic, counter intuitive and paradoxal! Maybe we are all cyborgs, AI's, robots or whatever else, and we may not even know it, but some of us might be in the know! Bottom line, no one really knows, unless some or all do know! Something to ponder I suppose! Goodbye!

[@Sunshine_day]

I really enjoyed this movie back when it came out and it does still hold up now. The book was so much better though.

[@racookster]

How could anyone walk away from this movie thinking it presented what was happening to the women in Stepford as a good thing? Jeez! I *never* thought that! Years later, however, the 1987 movie Making Mr. Right offended me slightly because I saw it as The Stepford Wives' evil twin, saying, "Men can be made into robots too, and in their case, it's an improvement."

[@TheUnapologeticGeek]

I can’t wrap my brain around it either, but I try to give 1975 audiences the benefit of the doubt.

[@janetsmith8566]

As a woman I’m allowed to say this: those top tier women’s libbers are never happy, always looking for a fight and in my view they’re unhelpful. At best.

[@papabearlives9995]

I saw it years ago and I still remember it to today. It stays with you like a why did they seem so off . Years later I read a short story from Ray Bradbury called mannequins inc that has sort of the same thing occur but the spouses don't realize it.

[@Classicsatdusk]

Why isn't this film out on BLU-RAY? Definitely one of the best films of the 70's. Strangely moving at the end.

[@jacindaellison3363]

​@peadarrock12 it's on Tubi and several YT Channels.

[@exodous02]

I just watched it and came looking for reviews to see what people thought. This one could have had a large middle chunk cut out. I watched it on Creature Features here on KZbin and almost gave up on it. I liked the beginning and end, I liked it, but man the middle lasted forever.

[@Butterflywings011]

I saw this movie once with my mom, it honest to God, scared the crap out of me, the ending stuck with me for years.

[@Keefymonoped]

Westworld meets picket fences. That's how I think of this film. Delos can make you the perfect wife!

[@Thomassteven00]

The movie was a very creepy but great piece of work as a Gen Z person I walked away from film jokingly thinking Stepford Wives walked so TikTok Tradwives could run. But I’d be interested to see a 2024 remake of the 1975 movie I think America Ferrera would play the Joanna role very well especially after her great performance in The Barbie Movie. I could see someone like Alison Janney playing the Bobbie role very well. I would love to see how this film would be done nowadays because the 2004 movie was nice but it definitely was more comedic and a bit different in how it was executed.

[@j.p.pelzman7481]

You have a very good channel here. I definitely will check out more of your reviews. Good information here. I knew about Keaton and Seberg, but not about many of the others. I do think Ross, with all due respect, is part of the problem. She never had a strong screen presence as a lead, IMO, and I don't think it's a coincidence that her career stalled after this and by the end of the 1970s she was on her way to the TV-movie circuit. She tries hard, but she's not up to the talent around her here. She isn't, at least for me, a captivating or likable enough lead that I really felt the gut punch at the end that I did for Prentiss, and yes, Tina when they were robotized. I guess what I'm saying is Ross is kind of a vapid presence to begin with, so the transformation doesn't land the way it would have with a Keaton or a Fonda or a Natalie Wood. There's a reason, IMO, she was a fallback option.

[@janetsmith8566]

Respect your opinion, but she appeals to me. She reminds me of my sister, seems real in her uncertainty about everything, and I would certainly like her better than Jane Fonda! (Who’s already a robot). I agree the lead is such an important factor.

[@adamt1564]

I thought that Ross was admirable in Stepford Wives, but your suggestion of Natalie Wood is intriguing. She probably would have brought a good deal of depth to the role.

[@TrackerNeil]

Thanks for this review. I agree that the film is slow, although I don't think that is always a bad thing. My main criticism with the movie is that there is absolutely zero chemistry between Ross and Masterson, and whenever I watch I find myself thinking, "Why are these two together?" Maybe that was a deliberate choice by the director, in which case I'd have to rethink my criticism. Also, thanks for recognizing that Paula Prentiss has the standout role. Bobbie Markowe is much more vivid than any other character except perhaps for Charmaine, whom I think is hilarious.

[@adamt1564]

Yes, the chemistry between Ross and Masterson is tepid at best. Also, the Masterson character's shift into a patriarchal nightmare is abrupt.

[@papabearlives9995]

Reminds me of the Truman show. Especially with the branding

[@TheUnapologeticGeek]

I had originally planned to splice in a shot from the Truman show, but totally forgot to until you just reminded me!

[@papabearlives9995]

@@TheUnapologeticGeek I'm so glad I found your channel . I have subscribed and plan on checking out your other videos.

[@TheUnapologeticGeek]

@@papabearlives9995 Thanks!

[@PaulKyriazi]

Great inside info and commentary.

[@behindthescenesphotos5133]

There was also The Stepford Children in 1987. If they kept going, they would have to do The Stepford Pets, The Stepford Cousins, The Stepford Grandparents...

[@HrtbeatofAmrica]

saw it in he 70s and loved it. Still do. the pt 2, not so much

[@joseluisherreralepron9987]

I've always been a big fan of Patrick O'Neal. He was always good in anything he was in and just never seemed to be able to break into true stardom.

[@shanep5819]

the inclusion of the Vader scene: brilliant.

[@JohnWilliamNowak]

My favorite moment in the film occurs right after the stabbing: the stabee looks upset, and says "I thought we were friends." Because it can't get more angry than that. Why program it to handle such a moment more realistically? I'm a sucker for films about robots that actually behave like robots, and I'm impressed when such limitations are shown, or when a malfunctioning robot repeats its behavior like a skipping record.

[@behindthescenesphotos5133]

Yeah, not every robot needs independent thoughts or "rights," they're just appliances that have been made to look human.

[@nicholassheffo5723]

This one needs restored and issued in 4K!

[@darrensmith6999]

Not seen this movie for years i will give it another watch especially like Patrick O'Neal he always puts in a good performance one of my favourites being in the 1964 episode of The Outer Limits " Wolf 359". Speaking of Bryan Forbes have you seen the 1970 movie "The Man Who Haunted Himself"? which was co written by him and made by EMI films wile Forbes was head of the studios , very good and worth view and is probably Roger Moore's best performance. Great Review Thank you (:

[@TheUnapologeticGeek]

That Outer Limits episode is great, but I've never seen "The Man Who Haunted Himself." I'll have to look into it. Thank you for the suggestion, and of course for watching!

[@darrensmith6999]

@@TheUnapologeticGeek You are welcome. Great movie you wont be disappointed (:

[@janetsmith8566]

Intriguing!

[@jessicavictoriacarrillo7254]

This movie set what it had to do. Judith Baldwin was also in the 1980s "The Stepford Children" as a Kimberly Summer.

[@sammy1552]

Cool.

[@herbertkeithmiller]

I had a very early experience with spoilers and the movie Empire Strikes Back. So my mother's driving my friend and I to see The Empire Strikes Back in the opening week. We're getting up to the theater and I said I wonder what this deal is between Luke and Leia are they in love cuz it doesn't seem like it. My friend blurts out of nowhere yeah and Darth Vader is Luke's father. 🤯 Now I've read a lot of science fiction and I can usually see the book in my head, flying above The ringworld in the Lying Bastard comes to mind so the only thing about the first movie was seeing the physical representation of an otherwise okay story. He managed to ruin for me the one thematic note that I was unaware of in this movie. I'd never heard of spoilers and I don't think the word was used at that time but I certainly was zapped by that one. Going forward I think the conservative dress of The Stepford Wives ages very well as a reflection of conservative values among the more repressive elements of the GOP.

[@charleshays5407]

Dawn of the Dead makes the same point with the Zombies wandering through the mall.

[@janetsmith8566]

I have to say…… I miss the malls! Don’t hate me! (But I don’t THINK I was a zombie… not sure….) 🤔

[@travisburgjr]

Well done

[@kylecurry577]

Yes agreed, I enjoyed this movie & book read many years ago. The remake is not even watchable 👎🏽. I have two favorite social political horror favorites...”They Live” & “Get Out”.

[@janetsmith8566]

I’ve seen they live. The glasses!!!!! Knuckle biting!! Will look for the other one. The newer stepford film was loathsome.

[@GreyLazy-ny2xg]

Hi from YNAO🙌

[@mikeaguero2875]

Get Out is a revised edition of Stepford Wives

[@martinsorenson1055]

And a revised version of The Skeleton Key.

[@runningrabbit11]

I actually saw this in 1975....at a drive in...1975...when I was eight

[@pauldrapiewski6761]

Lack of humor? Only those with no sense of humor could say that. This film is full of campy hilarious humor. As for the film hating "feminists" - they miss the point entirely. Good review!

[@TrangPakbaby]

I thought Nanette Newman was an absolutely beautiful woman

[@WilAdams]

This 'review' is short-selling the film. The only reason that people today are 're-evaluating' it is because it is soooo blatant in its criticism of the men in the film. Still, IF you can PUSH the MESSAGE out of your mind, and just watch it with popcorn and you will enjoy watching Jo-Anna and Bobbi trying to hold off their fates, especially IF you already know how that will turn out for them. LOL. Miss Ross is excellent in her role, and Tina Louise is exceptional as Charlene. Her 'flip' is so odd and disconcerting that it is the best acting of her career. Seriously, you want to pity her, but inside you are secretly happy it happened to her because of how she was before the flip.

[@gmanley1]

Man, the synopsis sounds more like a commercial.

[@TheUnapologeticGeek]

That is what I was going for, so mission accomplished, I guess!

[@RachelOkello-l8s]

The lead actress could be Linda Gray’s twin

[@Stephen-to7jx]

Speaking of spoilers , do Soylent Green

[@TheUnapologeticGeek]

It's people. I actually do have a video in my back catalogue on it. It's the best performing video on my whole channel.

[@AKHTS]

I usually hardly remember to give likes to videos that ask for them (because I kinda suck), but the way it was requested this time around, I just couldn't NOT like.

[@BlackDoveNYC]

Good movie with a devastating ending.

[@cesarmedina7080]

The title of this movie never inclined me to watch it. I thought it was a chick flick or something. Saw it on an old movie channel on free tv and was surprised it was really good and nothing like i thought it would it be.

[@Krzemieniewski1]

Ira Levin the same guy who wrote Rosmerys baby

[@martinsorenson1055]

Yes, as he says in the video.

[@antonia3288]

Just found this channel!! Would love to know what do you think of "don’t worry darling"… for me, it was a bad rip off of this movie

[@TheUnapologeticGeek]

I haven’t seen it yet, but everything I’ve heard about the movie makes me think you are right!

[@Barnabas45]

As a married man, I'd move there in a heartbeat!

[@j.p.pelzman7481]

The info about Newman's casting influencing the costuming was interesting. That said, I think it was problematic. Granted, you couldn't have Playboy Bunny types running around the local A&P. I get that. But those sundresses and Easter bonnets were kinda absurd, given the era. I mean, there had to be a compromise, I think. This was the era of burn-the-bra and hot pants, am I not right? Maybe something more along the lines of that. I can't imagine that a group of men diabolical enough to do this would want the fembots to look like this. Yes, it works from a macro symbolic standpoint, as you indicated; from a narrative standpoint, it's bizarre. sure, they want the women to cook and clean like a housewife from a 1950s Sears Kenmore ad--I seriously doubt they'd want them to dress like her. There had to be a middle ground between Levin and Newman.

[@janetsmith8566]

I wrote elsewhere here that in high school these were hot fashions. One day the hottest girl in school showed up in a frilly maxi dress with collar up around her ears and we all, as one body, stampeded down to the shops waving our money in front of us. A number of small children and animals were likely harmed in the process. This was high fashion for awhile. Of course, platform disco shoes had to be worn with them lol!! Look at some disco footage- there we are in our puffy sleeves and strappy shoes whirling around under the disco ball. Life is crazy and so is fashion! I dearly loved those dresses and thought I was pretty hot. It made a total change- I guess that is what the great fashion brains have figured out. As to why it’s used in this film- I guess it shows the attitude of MEN is different? Like this sort of style is meant to express control rather that creativity so it fits the theme? I don’t know. I didn’t think the women were dressing very provocatively beforehand (except joanna obviously not making use of a bra). Paula p LOOKS like she’s wearing one to me- someone else said that too. Also her hair/make up doesn’t look that different. In the book it’s a RADICAL change. Everyone read the book and let’s discuss!! I love this film 💕💕

[@janetsmith8566]

Another thought- re the costume choices: is it the “I prefer Mary Ann to Ginger” thing going on? The ideal woman is actually MARY ANN? This has always amazed me. Like the ideal little woman is not glam after all, but wearing gingham. Also the passion for Doris Day over Marilyn - I’ve heard countless men of a certain marvellous age say it. Men? Speak up!

[@adamt1564]

The men in the film are pathological throwbacks--hence the hyperbolic, anachronistic fashions for the women.

[@scronx]

"outdated views of domesticity" -- what would they be?

[@janetsmith8566]

I honestly don’t understand how a feminist could find fault with this film! Proof that they will find fault everywhere. The whole point is the ideal housewife stereotype is being completely lambasted. I don’t think people can understand films anymore.

[@alangarde2928]

The reaction to the film at the time was a surprise to me, having grown up with the term Stepford Wife being ubiquitous. However, thinking about it it sadly makes a lot of sense (especially with modern culture being the way it is). We are so easily blinded by our biases that sometimes we see what we expect to see. Some people are just angry and looking to take offense wherever they can. Some people though are so primed to be attacked (from experience) that that's all the see. It's almost like an initial hostile defensive reaction because they expect things to be an attack. I find it sad, but it's a salient reminder I need to step back and look at what's actually being said in a film, tv, book or even what someone says and not the baggage I'm bringing into it. I totally agree on the costume choice. It would have been bizarre for them to be over-sexualised. It may have seemed like a male fantasy for all the women to have been like that but this feels much more real when the over-arching theme is control. Dressing them conservatively outside of their private lives fits the theme so much better, an idealised external view of a housewife that is otherwise for my eyes only.

[@janetsmith8566]

@@alangarde2928 Well said. I find this film endlessly fascinating and discussion worthy. Just finally read the book. One thing was explained (I think) re Joanna just giving up, letting go of the poker, etc: in the book the therapist gives her some strong tranquillisers which she eagerly takes cuz she’s so freaked out by then. So I’m going to blame the drugs. Oh and one last comment re the clothes: younger people forget or don’t realise that the maxi dress fashion was huge for awhile- with everyone including myself. We were all thrilled because it was all so different- a total pendulum swing. That’s fashion for you. Even the hottest girl in our school wore high necklines and long skirts for years. So it wasn’t considered oppressive. It’s also not in the book. So that’s an interesting one. I think the bigger shock is their sudden obsession with cleaning, cooking and giving up their interests. Also in the book they all organise their shopping carts perfectly. Thanks for your thoughtful message!

[@bar-1studios]

Any remake would do better by turning the tables and criticizing feminism. Let's face it, the modern feminist is often left a blankly staring drone, not due to some mad robotics genius, but by their own social engineering and SSRI usage.

[@YB-sm4we]

The barbie movie did it lol

[@michaeliv284]

I find it funny when films like me think I'm too smart to be sexist.

[@johnboy32064]

I’m so glad Brian DePalma didn’t direct this. A vastly overrated director. Although I know I’m in the minority with this opinion.

[@TheUnapologeticGeek]

Everyone is entitled to their opinion! 😁 (Nah, I actually agree. He’s made a few movies that I will defend as great, but he’s also made a lot of pretentious tripe, not to mention the Psycho remake.)

[@louiehusted6173]

@@TheUnapologeticGeek the Psycho remake was directed by Gus Van Sant

[@oneproudbrowncoat]

Peele's "film" doesn't lose it's lustre, because it had none to lose.

[@SteveMacSticky]

My word, Mia Farrow looked horrible

[@nicholasgargano7396]

Jewish writer Jewish director Jewish production we Jews are awesome, thank goodness nobody notices the lack of diversity at the top echelons of Hollywood 😉😉😉😉