Andie Macdowell Movie:

Editorial Review:
At first Crush seems to be merely the latest film to portray a clique of boozy, trash-talking women as part of a larger, liberated sisterhood worthy of celebration if not admiration. The lighthearted comedy abruptly detours, however, to expose vicious jealousies with brutal, unexpected consequences. A trio of single women in their 40s, Kate, Janine, and Molly (Andie MacDowell, Imelda Stanton, and Anna Chancellor) engage in a weekly ritual of gin, cigarettes, and joyous male sniping that despite its occasional glimpses of bare insecurity is all good "girl" fun. But when Kate, headmistress at the local school, takes up with a former student (Kenny Doughty) nearly 20 years younger and falls wildly in love, her closest friends, rather than embrace a true departure from social mores, plan instead to sabotage Kate's happiness and bring her to her senses. In one of the most inexplicable twists you're likely to see in a comedy, Janine and Molly's ploy takes an unexpectedly lethal turn, and Crush goes from amusing, if predictable, to downright nasty, and then back to end on a happy note. The effect is provocative, though perhaps unintended. --Fionn Meade

Crush Reviews:
Deja Vu
2009-07-09 - I saw this movie a few years ago; while browsing through cable channels on a night of boredom... As I watched it became more interesting; and I was touched by the true love that was happening to this woman who had such bad experiences with her previous dates. I was disgusted by what her friends did to break her relationship in pieces. I rarely cry during movies but this was a tear buster!!! I needed tissue and a small jar of "vicks" by the time it was over!

Here it is years later, and now I happen to be in a similar situation; and I actually woke up thinking about this movie and almost in tears! the real issue that has been brought out in this movie is when two people find each other and are sincerely happy people prey on that and will do everything in their power to sabotage it. Especially if the woman is older than the guy she is dating. That becomes the number one factor in the talks of the relationship and to other people is grounds for an automatic split. It's sad that two people can't live their lives in peace loving one another when so many people around them are against them. It makes maintaining a healthy relationship that much more difficult. Her "so called" friends caused a tragic end in her happiness. I think it was God that instilled forgivness in her for them! "Friends" who do that; aren't friends at all!

Proper Headmistress Takes a Leap...into Love
2009-06-08 - Crush is a delightful romp that reveals the bond of sisterhood between three forty-something women living in rural England. They get together, eat junk food, smoke, drink and commiserate...nothing could possibly break this bond. Right?

Until one of them (Kate,the headmistress played by Andie MacDowell) finds unexpected love with a former (twenty-something) student. At first, the "girls" are amused; but then when it seems that Kate's feelings contain as much love as lust, the conspiring begins.

Imelda Staunton and Anna Chancellor play the co-conspirators, who will do whatever it takes to get their friend back in the fold.

Tragedy follows, and then comes a powerful disconnect between the three friends...But just when all seems lost, an unexpected blessing brings the three back together into their tight-knit bond, but with a new and fresh perspective.

Somewhat predictable sisterhood flick...hence, the four stars.

Laurel-Rain Snow


Ugly and unbelievable
2009-02-24 - Several reviewers here have fallen into the silly groupthink that makes every character emblematic of their "demographic." No one is saying that all 40 year old women are desperate, sleazy, selfish and stupid. However, these three certainly are. Now, if that is a valid subject for a film is another question.....

One of the things that movies used to do, but seem to have forgotten how, is to show characters grow and change. When two people meet and fall in love, please, let us see some aspect of what sparks their attraction. But no more. What this couple sees in each other is never clear. I'm not doubting, I'm just wondering. We never see them together unless they are copulating or sharing coy glances. What do they talk about? What do they do when they ahe their clothes on? And they, like the busy doctor and the high-ranking police woman, sure seem to have lots of free time....

I have always found Andie MacDowell wildly over-rated. I bought the hype all those years ago and saw "Sex, Lies, and Videotape" and found her uninteresting and unconvincing. "Groundhog Day" was a great film in spite of, not because of, her. Nothing I've seen her in was improved by her wooden and stilted delivery. And here she is so totally implausible as the headmistress of a school that you are almost forced to laugh. Not a ******* chance, guys. This silly woman has no drives other than libido and ego, no manifestation of intellect other than bookshelves full of nice old books, and no ability to lead anyone anywhere except to her crotch. What a pointless and dreary film. And the double meaning of the title is all the more unpleasant after the big shockeroo in the middle. By the time it is over, you will feel soiled and cheated. Unpleasant people treat each other badly, and everyone smiles at the end. Not in my world folks.


What a disappointment
2008-01-14 - Despite the lighthearted appearance of the cover art, this dvd was not worth watching. Despite the gorgeousness of the young actor playing Jed (and he is beautiful), the plot is strange, not cohesive, and utterly unplausible. To add to the disastrousness, in the middle of some intense scenes, some of the most unintentionally laughable lines are delivered, detracting from the intent of the scenes. It comes across like a play written by a high school drama student. Seriously- don't bother.

What a drag! I want my two hours back!
2007-07-06 - I took a chance on this movie because it was cheap, and I like these actresses. Yech! The plot is nearly non-existent, and the characters are shallow and totally lacking in dimension. There isn't one character you can empathize with. When I had finally sufferered through the end, it occurred to me that this storyline is drawn from that pool of women writers who believe that men must ultimately pay the price for every real or imagined injustice they've inflicted on the "heroine". Pu-lease!