Nick Marshall: Mel Gibson	Darcy Maguire: Helen Hunt
Dan Wanamaker: Alan Alda	Alex: Ashley Johnson
Ci Ci: Lauren Holly	Doorman: Loretta Devine
Erin: Judy Greer Coffee Girl: Marisa Tomei	Director: Nancy Meyers

30 Second Bottom Line: A powerful ad executive who is quite the ladies man sees the world very differently when he is able to literally hear what women are thinking. This comedy goes much deeper than knowing which women he can safely make sexual advances to.

Story Line: Nick Marshall (Mel Gibson) grew up to be a Don Juan in large part because he was raised by his single mother…a Las Vegas showgirl. His playground was backstage and dressing rooms surrounded by glamorous women. At other times, he was with the stage manager who was telling the women what they wanted, or needed, to hear so he could remain in control. Nick's childhood birthday parties featured the traditional cake with him holding court with a bevy of beautiful women that would fit well into any Playboy centerfold. Fast forward to Nick as an adult and he is a high-powered executive in an ad agency, with a corner office. He is expecting a promotion to Creative Director, which means more money, more prestige and an executive suite on the 44th floor.

When Nick is called to the office of CEO Dan Wanamaker (Alan Alda), he learns that demographics are such that the majority of buying decisions are made by women. None of their clientele has a focus on women's products, and as such the market share of advertising dollars is on the decline. In fact, if they don't do something to win those type of accounts, they may go out of business before too long.

A major change is required in their creative leadership. Instead of being promoted to Creative Director, Nick will now be working for Darcy Maguire (Helen Hunt), who made a name for herself by winning major accounts for a rival firm. Her success is with companies who want to gain the attention of the female buying public.

Shortly after her acceptance speech to the staff, Darcy passes out pink boxes to everyone, that contain a variety of female products such as mascara, leg wax and panty hose. Each person is to come up with an idea to promote one or more of those products and discuss it at the 8:30 a.m. staff meeting the next day. Of course, Nick usually does not come to work until about 10:00.

Nick is divorced from Ci Ci (Lauren Holly) who is about to remarry. At the wedding, he is genuinely gracious in his congratulations to the bride and groom. Soon the conversation switches to the care of their 15-year-old daughter Alex (Ashley Johnson) who will stay with him while Mom's on her honeymoon. Nick starts off badly by stating that she is only 13 years old. To say he is an inattentive father is a gross understatement. During that time Alex is to go to the prom with her boyfriend who is 18 years old. She needs a dress, which Nick is to take her shopping for. A comic turn on that expedition reveals to Nick that she has promised her boyfriend that she will lose her virginity to him on prom night. The relationship between Alex and her father is not so much strained as it is distant, as in the concept of men are from Mars and women are from Venus.

While trying many of the women's items from the box distributed by Darcy, Nick has a fall, is electrocuted and is given the power to literally hear what women think. For those who think he's sexy, this works to his advantage. He also finds that some women think he's a jerk. Erin (Judy Greer) aspires to be a copywriter, but for now, is a messenger girl who might as well be invisible to Nick and the other employees. Nick hears her thinking that she'll one day be gone and that no one will miss her or care. Will she just quit or commit suicide because she is depressed?

At the coffee shop in his building, Nick persists in trying to date the coffee girl, (Marisa Tomei). She refuses to accept, until one day his rap is so strong that she finally gives in. This leads to a priceless scene of what women think and do to massage a man's ego when they are in bed.

Nick's life changes, as he uses his ability to know what women want in his relationships… with Darcy, Alex, Erin and the coffee girl. How he changes also changes the women in his life.

Tell Me More About It: Mel Gibson takes on the risky role of trying to both think and sometimes act like a woman. What Women Want is a film, which in some ways is as funny as Meet the Parents. It will likely be seen as more of a chick flick, like Dr. T. and the Women. It will certainly do better at the box office than Dr. T (also with Helen Hunt in a prominent role) but probably not as well as Meet the Parents.

Just when I was ready to slam Helen Hunt for repeating herself in another supporting role, she generates a loving and believable relationship with Nick. It's not instantaneous…they are adversaries at the beginning of the film who become romantically involved well before the end of it. I cared for her but not with the same degree of passion as exists between Nicolas Cage and Tea Leoni in Family Man, which comes out next week. And while we are on current movie romances, don't let the public, real life relationship between Russell Crowe and Meg Ryan keep you away from their film released last week, Proof of Life. It's the best of the three for sure. However, I should point out that Family Man and What Women Want are comedies and Proof of Life is a suspense and action film.

Responsibility and ego are addressed beneath the comedic layer of how a man's life would change if he were able to know what women want because he could hear their thoughts. Alex needs her father; Erin needs someone who cares that she is alive; Darcy needs someone who is not threatened by her ability to excel in a tough business environment. The coffee girl only needs a man to do what she wants in bed to serve her purpose. Nick is the most needy of all because he thinks he has everything he wants, but in reality he is leading an empty life.

Mel Gibson: The Patriot	Helen Hunt: Pay it Forward
Alan Alda: Murder at 1600	Ashley Johnson: Anywhere But Here
Lauren Holly: Any Given Sunday	Loretta Devine: Urban Legends: Final Cut
Marisa Tomei: The Watcher	Judy Greer: Three Kings
Nancy Meyers: The Parent Trap