Stepford Wives

Stepford Wifes [1975] is a film directed by Bryan Forbes.

The film is strange and interesting. It has an unusual atmosphere and a sense of Utopia inherent to the women. The story is not complicated. A family of Joanna Eberhart (Katharine Ross) and her husband Walter Eberhart (Peter Masterson) with their kids move from the big city to a small village. Joanna is a professional photographer who appreciates freedom and independence. She founds a friend Bobbie Markowe (Paula Prentiss). Life was beautiful and perfect, but boring and strange. Women were sitting at home all the time. Their everyday life consisted only of cooking and looking after children. They had no individuality like dolls. This utopia is disturbing to Joanna and Bobbie and they started an independent investigation to find out what was going on…

The film is monotonous and didn’t affect me emotionally. It is gathering speed and fever pitch only close to the end. The story itself is very predictable. There is only one story turn (the moment in the castle at the end of the film) which is really good. But it was surprising when viewers did not see a happy end. It was a strong moment, because it is hard to find film without happy ending nowadays. Acting is good; characters are irritating and arouse loathing and contempt.

It is hard to write anything about technical side of this film. The production design and camerawork are at medium level.

Overall, the film is for once-only watch and it would be useful to watch to broaden one’s outlook.