‘In Her Shoes’ (2005) Review: A Sisterly Comedy

When this first appeared in theaters and probably later on DVD, I elected not to see it. For the life of me, I do not know why it has taken me this long to see the movie. It’s cute. It’s funny. But most of all, what most of you might be surprised to discover (like I was) is just how heart-tugging the movie actually is…

In Her Shoes (2005) Film Review

Maggie Feller (Cameron Diaz) is a mess. Literally. She hasn’t a dime to her name (as usual) and she winds up too incoherent at her ten-year high school reunion to even know who she is. Her elder sister Rose (Toni Collette) rescues Maggie in a recurring pattern; and then Maggie winds up getting kicked out of their father and step-mother’s home. So, Rose takes her in, again.

Rose soon reaches her breaking point and kicks Maggie out with little care where she goes. When she learns she still has a grandmother, she decides to go to Florida. Ella (Shirley McClaine) is a kind woman who loved her daughter dearly but refused to ignore her daughter’s mental health problems. The two women attempt to make up for lost time, but it’s Maggie’s attitude that continues to wreck her relationships while Rose worries about her missing sister possibly ruining her chance at true love with a man (Mark Feuerstein) who actually loves her for who she is.

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While this isn’t always a film that has morals, it does have good things to say. It’s greatest downfall is the complete lack of respect these girls have for each other, and themselves. Rose and Maggie are complete opposites. However it takes Rose’s tough love reaction to bring them both healing. Though her intentions (through the years) are good, the way Rose is a big sister to Maggie end up doing her no favors.

I like how “honest” the script is. It doesn’t mince its words or message (in fact sometimes it’s a little too honest). Instead it offers realistic situations that would definitely drive an irreconcilable wedge between two people. However, at the risk of contradicting myself, I will say some of the scenarios do exaggerate (dramatic effect) things. If you can get past the first ten-fifteen minutes, this does have a good heart. Its ending is incredibly beautiful and I did love the small (albeit cute) moments when the title is in beautiful form.

Both women learn hard, but valuable lesson. Maggie’s “disappearing act” to Florida teaches her self-reliance and gets her away from surroundings she was far too confident in. Rose on the other hand learned that love can be unconditional – that she doesn’t have to be defined by what the world says is success to be loved by someone. It’s in these instances that In Her Shoes is a one walk worth taking.  

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You can find In Her Shoes digitally on Amazon Video.

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Content: Maggie and Rose fist appear on-screen engaging is a one-night stand type situation [two other scenes imply sexual relations – including one of an unmarried couple in bed together]. There is alcohol consumption and foul mouths including bi*ch, sh*t, a** and da*n plus a “comedic” scene in which there is references to female anatomy. The movie is PG13