McClatchy Tribune News Service Review of "The Other Woman"
The Other Woman (R, 2009, IFC Films)
Were "The Other Woman" simply about the other woman - in this case, Emilia (Natalie Portman), who charms her way into finishing off what remained of her boss' (Scott Cohen as Jack) crumbling marriage to Carolyne (Lisa Kudrow) - it would be an impressively thorough look at the ramifications of one person's idea of an emotionally dormant marriage and another's idea of homewrecking. But "Woman" decides to double its workload by bringing us into the story shortly after Emilia has lost the child she had with Jack at the outset of their marriage. Throw in the complications of a child (Charlie Tahan) from the first marriage who doesn't quite know how to process either side of this story, and "Woman" so easily could have been a dreary disaster. Miraculously, while large stretches of "Woman" most assuredly qualify it as a downer, the movie never loses itself in a swirl of misery. There are heartbreaking and depressing parts for sure. But you're just as likely to find "Woman" in a contemplative, peacefully numb or (thanks mostly to Kudrow playing cold out of her mind) justifiably, cathartically angry mood. Occasionally, and with no sacrifice to credibility, "Woman" even finds a way to be hopeful, amusing or just plain content. Every major face in this story gets a significant voice, and rather than crumble under the weight of doing too much, "Woman" finds balance in letting everyone - and not just the other woman - have their say. No extras.
