"interesting look at life in suburbia"

In suburbia the four married women meet while working on a public health benefit. Each has relationship issues involving their respective families. Housewife Janie Kirk is cheating on her spouse; lawyer Marie Passeti struggles with her work, her family and a hot intern she desires; affluent Gayle Beck uses prescription drugs to cope with her abusive husband; and a doctor's spouse and mother Love Welsh receives a letter from her estranged father that shakes her current existence.

As the women become better acquainted with one another; they become aware of each other's personal issues that send the quartet individually to relook their own problems with a wiser perspective. Especially hitting home to the remaining trio is Love's agony over whether she wants to have a second chance with her father; as his note of reconciliation brings back a past she prefers to forget.

This look at life in suburbia is an interesting tale that rotates viewpoints between the FOUR WIVES so that the audience gets to understand what specifically disturbs each of them beyond the obvious stereotyping of the women and their husbands. As each of them learn more about the other three, they also comprehend more about themselves. However, the ending does not fit the tone of the well- written story line that throughout Wendy Walker elucidates how complex relationships truly are implying resolutions are filled with opportunity costs not necessarily happy ones.

Harriet Klausner

Reviewed by Harriet Klausner
Posted January 31, 2008