Today’s Prayer Focus
MOVIE REVIEW

The Other Woman

MPA Rating: PG-13-Rating (MPA) on appeal for mature thematic material, sexual references and language.

Reviewed by: Michelle Eichler
CONTRIBUTOR

Moral Rating: Extremely Offensive
Moviemaking Quality:
Primary Audience: Adults
Genre: Romance Comedy
Length: 1 hr. 49 min.
Year of Release: 2014
USA Release: April 25, 2014 (wide—3,000+ theaters)
DVD: July 29, 2014
Copyright, Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation click photos to ENLARGE Copyright, Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation Copyright, Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation Copyright, Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation
Relevant Issues
Copyright, Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation

DRUNKENNESS—What does God’s Word say? Answer

FORNICATION and ADULTERY—What does God say?

PURITY—Should I save sex for marriage? Answer

Copyright, Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation

MARRIAGE OBSOLETE?—Is formalized marriage becoming obsolete? Answer
Many people seem convinced that traditional marriages don’t work and that this practice should be abandoned. What does the Bible say about marriage?

Copyright, Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation

SEXUAL LUST—What does the Bible say about it? Answer

lust (WebBible Encyclopedia)

Sex, Love and Relationships
Learn how to make your love the best it can be. Christian answers to questions about sex, marriage, sexual addictions, and more. Valuable resources for Christian couples, singles and pastors.

Copyright, Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation Copyright, Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation Copyright, Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation
Featuring Cameron DiazCarly Whitten
Leslie MannKate King
Nikolaj Coster-Waldau … Mark King
Don Johnson … Frank
Kate Upton … Amber
Taylor Kinney … Phil
Nicki Minaj … Lydia
See all »
Director Nick Cassavetes — “The Notebook” (2004), “Face/Off” (1997), “Alpha Dog” (2006)
Producer LBI Productions
Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation
Distributor Distributor: Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation. Trademark logo.20th Century Studios, a subsidiary of The Walt Disney Studios, a division of The Walt Disney Company

Carly is a high- powered attorney who affirms her belief that “monogamy is not natural” by dating several men at once—until she stumbles upon Mark, who appears to be perfect.

The illusion quickly dissolves when she unexpectedly meets Kate, his wife. The two women develop an unlikely friendship that evolves into a mission to exact revenge against the unsuspecting man who duped them both.

Mark becomes the recipient of a string of cruel and sophomoric pranks, including estrogen-laced smoothies, untimely laxatives and progressive hair removers. It isn’t long before the cohorts discover yet another one of Mark’s conquests and the three collaborate on the ultimate payback.

This film overwhelms the viewer with a worldview that is completely void of reverence for God or acknowledgement of His word (James 4:4). When confronted by the reality of her involvement in an adulterous affair, Carly touts to her assistant Lydia, “I don’t do married guys”. Her conviction isn’t one of morality, but of her concern that she is “too old for this sh**.” Lydia concludes that because Carly is unemotional and non-commital, “married guys would be a perfect fit.” She also relays advice she received from her mother: “Selfish people live longer.” While sharing her misery with her father, he suggests that she simply needs to have sex with Mark to solve the problem.

Mark is unashamed of his lewd behavior toward women. He is constantly staring, gawking, and lusting after every young lady he sees (1 John 2:16). He views women as sexual objects to be conquered not loved, honored or cherished. Carly accuses Mark of being “an empty man” who will never be able to fill the hole inside.

SEXUAL LUST—What does the Bible say about it? Answer

Sex, Love and RelationshipsLearn how to make your love the best it can be. Discover biblical answers to questions about sex, marriage, sexual addictions, and more.

The only way we can be truly fulfilled is to humbly repent and place our faith in Jesus Christ who died on the cross and rose from the dead to pay the penalty for our sins and who is now seated at God’s right hand to reign forever as king.

Kate is identified as an extremely insecure, self conscious woman, who thinks she needs “brain camp” to engage in conversation with her husband regarding business matters. While at first she struggles to believe Mark would have an affair, she determines it must be her fault—that she’s not enough (James 4:1-2).

When Amber (the second mistress) is introduced, the audience is subjected to a full two minutes of slow motion footage of her bouncing breasts and backside in a string bikini.

A theme throughout the movie seems to be excessive consumption of alcohol can momentarily solve any problems. Many mornings begin with hangovers and evenings are riddled with immoral decisions at least partly fueled by intoxication (Romans 13:13). While in a bar, Kate vomits in her purse. As Carly tries to place her in a taxi, she throws her arms around her neck, wraps her legs around her waist, kissing her passionately. Several club scenes show scantily clad women dancing seductively.

The Bible lists sexual immorality, impurity, idolatry, jealousy, fits of anger, envy and drunkenness as some of the things that will prevent us from inheriting the kingdom of God without being justified by the Lord Jesus Christ (Galatians 5:19-21).

There is offensive language throughout. The F-word is mouthed twice with accompanying gestures, sh** 32 times, bullsh** (8), da** (3), a** and a**hole (7), various derogatory terms for women 8 times, slang genital references 7 times, SOB once, Jesus’ name in vain (3) and OMG (12).

Positive elements: Kate’s brother Phil, responds honorably when faced with an opportunity to take advantage of amorous, naked, drunken Carly. Amber shows remorse and appears sincere in her apology to Kate for sleeping with Mark. Kate recognizes forgiveness is important, but for the wrong reason.

We forgive, not “to move forward” as Kate states, but because we are commanded by God to do so in response to the grace we have been given through Christ.

From beginning to end, this film celebrates the things that grieve the Spirit of God. Even the soundtrack is offensive. I am heartbroken that the PG-13 rating may prompt increased viewership among young teens.

Violence: Moderate / Profanity: Heavy / Sex/Nudity: Heavy

See list of Relevant Issues—questions-and-answers.


Viewer CommentsSend your comments
Neutral
Neutral—This is a raunchier “First Wives Club” not without it’s funny moments. I enjoyed seeing Cameron Diaz back onscreen. This is a stereotypical yet fun girls night type of movie with an unoriginal “girl power” theme. I enjoyed seeing the women come together and realize the problem was Mark; too often you see women lash out at each other in adulterous situations or even try to justify being involved in one.

The reviewer is correct in stating that we are shown how and why Kate Upton (Amber, the 2nd mistress) became famous. Parents should note that Kate made herself famous through posting selfies on social media, which were noticed by a modeling agency; Kate Upton is also often labeled as “fat for a model” (and she is definitely not fat), so teen girls with body image issues may make comparisons or be critical.

Maybe I wasn’t listening closely throughout the whole film, but I fail to see how songs like “Sunday Kind of Love” (by the incomparable Etta James) and 80s classics like “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun” and “Love is a Battlefield” make for such an offensive soundtrack as stated by the reviewer. Overall, it was a good enough for one viewing.
My Ratings: Moral rating: Very Offensive / Moviemaking quality: 3
Marin, age 35 (USA)

PLEASE share your observations and insights to be posted here.

Movie Critics
…A female solidarity adultery comedy that’s three parts embarrassing farce to one part genuinely comic discharge. …this slick package is nowhere near as good as it could have been…
Todd McCarthy, The Hollywood Reporter
…it’s proof of the actors’ combined chemistry and skill that the scenes of them bonding over bouts of binge-drinking are the best bits in this sometimes-lacklustre comedy . …seems uncertain whether it wants to be bubbly or bleak…
Chris Knight, National Post
…Cameron Diaz and Leslie Mann make an effective team in this ungainly yet weirdly compelling revenge comedy. …taps into the pleasures of sisterly solidarity and righteous revenge: beneath the wobbly pratfalls and the scatological setpieces, there’s no denying the film’s mean-spirited kick, or its more-than-passing interest in what makes its women tick. …
Justin Chang, Variety
…not worth falling for… Playing like a script that’s been moldering since Diane Keaton turned it down in 1983, “The Other Woman” is a weak adultery rom-com in which the most authentic performance comes from a non-housebroken Great Dane. …
Sara Stewart, New York Post
“The Other Woman” doesn’t do many things well, but it does do one thing perfectly: It makes you wish you’d stayed home and watched "The First Wives Club" instead. …
Stephen Whitty, The Star-Ledger (New Jersey)
…“The Other Woman” showcases three angry women, and one train wreck… The most fascinating struggle in “The Other Woman” isn’t the one between three aggrieved females and a philandering male. It’s the battle director Nick Cassavetes wages between his dramatic indie instincts and his studio-pandering expediency. … [2/4]
Peter Howell, Toronto Star Newspapers