The Women's Room (1980)

Satisfactory adaptation of the Marilyn French bestseller. Lee Remick is Myra, a thirtyish housewife who decides to abandon her cheating husband (a pre-Cheers Ted Danson) and dull suburban lifestyle, and return to graduate school. There, she becomes involved in the burgeoning women's movement and eventually finds sexual fulfillment in the arms of a younger man (Gregory Harrison). As Remick's character develops from a naive, sheltered young bride to an aware, independent woman, the viewer is introduced to two sets of female characters (Patty Duke, Tyne Daly and Kathryn Harrold are her suburban friends, all trapped in unhappy marriages, and Colleen Dewhurst, Tovah Felshuh, Lisa Pelikan and Mare Winningham are her graduate school associates) who, through their own experiences, help to shape and inform Myra's self-identity. Ultimately, Remick concludes that her happiness need not be dependent on any man. While I wouldn't characterize the film as "man-hating", as other on-line comments have suggested, it very definitely has a feminist sensibility. The acting is generally quite fine. Remick offers her usual capable performance, Dewhurst excels as her sexually frank, liberated friend and Winningham is very good as Dewhurst's neglected daughter. Patty Duke, while often compelling, is occasionally over the top as Remick's emotionally unstable friend; Tyne Daly manages a similar role with far more subtlety.

This movie was shown last week on Irish tv.The acting and script were outstanding.It was obviously written straight from the heart.Lee Remick wouldn't have known how to give a bad performance,but in this she really excels.As a male I found the film to be in no way man hating.Take no notice of the first reviewer. The romantic teaming of Colleen Dewhurst and Dynasty's Al Corley was certainly bizarre.He looked more like her grandson!!.I hope more people get to see this film.

With such talents as Patty Duke Astin, Lee Remick, Colleen Dewhurst, Tyne Daly, Mare Winningham and more in one single film, how can one go wrong?This is an excellent story of Mira (Remick) as she experiences being a wife and mother from the 1950s, through the 70s. Outstanding performances all around. Astin and Dewhurst were both up for supporting Emmys. Just watch as Astin has her final scene, where she is telling Remick what it was like to be locked up in a nut house. Powerful stuff and acting does not get any better than this.Remick, who was unjustly overlooked for a nomination, hasn't been better since Days of Wine and Roses. She carries the picture very well.A Pre-Cagney & Lacy Tyne Daly also does some of her best work in this film.Please ignore the comments by the first reviewer. This is NOT a man-hating movie! I am a man and was not one bit offended by anything in the story.This is not available on video, so try to catch it next time it is on Lifetime!

I LOVE THIS MOVIE. I watch it every time I see that it's going to be on. I cannot fully explain it. Sure its a hackneyed plot done in that late 70's cheesy made-for-tv fashion but-dare I say it- that only adds to its allure for me. Something in its predictability and familiarity is reassuring. Go figure. I think that it all boils down to the fact that it is your basic LIFETIME KIND OF CHICK FLICK. Not to mention that Lee and Colleen are just fantastic.