The Misadventures of Margaret (1998)

"The Misadventures of Margaret" is a film with a good cast. The names of Parker Posey, Elizabeth McGovern, Brooke Shields, Jeremy Northam and Corbin Bernsen give the expectation of an entertaining romantic comedy. Unfortunately the story and the characters are awful. Parker Posey performs an insecure and unbalanced woman and successful writer that wants to cheat her husband to write an erotic novel. Her agent (Craig Chester) is gay and her adviser. Her sister (Elizabeth McGovern) simply decides to leave her husband (Corbin Bernsen), who is a womanizer and unfaithful to her, to live with her lesbian friend (Brooke Shields). Only Jeremy Northam's character is not dysfunctional; he is a cult British professor that works hard and faithful husband still in love with his wife after a seven-year marriage. And in the corrupt universe of these characters, he seems to be wrong and guilty for the promiscuity of his wife. Gay audience will probably enjoy the free frontal nudity of men in several scenes. My vote is two.Title (Brazil): "Nem Todas as Mulheres São Iguais" ("Not Every Women Are Equal")

Parker Posey very good, as usual, appearing, as usual, in a unique, funny, provocative, offbeat story. Margaret's reality rarely meets her expectations (she's a novelist). In love and monogamous, jealousy drives her to seek an affair. Of course she finds this more complicated than she expected. Margaret's monogamy is ironic given her enormous likability. Maybe that's what makes her so likable. She doesn't settle for what she's offered; she strives for what she wants. Parker Posey's performance can be compared with her equally powerful performance in "Personal Velocity," a more realistic look at infidelity. Very good dialogue; reminiscent of the "screwball" comedy genre, or something from the more "mature" Woody Allen. So not meant to be realistic, although I have known a few people like these. I really liked it.

This is such a weird little film, with a very twisted heroine, but after the first few minutes of the film one finds oneself falling for her lock, stock and barrel. I like the literary references that fall from characters' lips like diamonds. I also think that it is one of Jeremy Northam's most wonderful performances. He doesn't get a huge amount to do, but what he does do is so subtle and nuanced, it's a joy (as usual) to watch. Parker Posey is like a young Kate Hepburn, whirling her way through an insane but sexually charged plot. Or perhaps she's more like Carole Lombard in My Man Godfrey, just completely nuts.It does fall down in places during the first eighteenth century bits, but then the joke there becomes clear, as well as the significance it holds. I haven't read the novel but hope to get my hands on it. It sounds such fun.I do wish I could own this film, to complete my Jeremy Northam collection. I also wish the soundtrack were available, because the music is quite charming.I do like the cheerful slightly confused sexuality portrayed by both the heroine and her eighteenth century counterpart, it's quite refreshing to see the subject treated so matter-of-factly.Rent this film, it's a lot of fun!

I went into this movie not liking Parker Posey, and left not minding her at all. Her performance as the quirky, impulsive, obsessive compulsive Margaret is nothing short of unforgettable. Her childish, rebelious nature works well with Jeremy Northam's studied maturity. They play off of each other fabulously well. In short, a very satisfying film.