The Angry Woman's Movie Guide
The Ex Files
Even before I split with my EX, one of the things I've always enjoyed are revenge movies. Where a woman who's been neglected, taken advantage of or dumped exacts her revenge on the smug, idiotic people who've done her wrong. None of these heroines are perfect. They're all silly and screwed up and human. And it can be very cathartic to watch the cinematic bastards who torment them get their comeuppance. So here's a list of my faves. And if I've left any off the list, please let me know. So make some popcorn, pop in that DVD, slap a cat on your lap and be prepared to cheer.
Don't be surprised if one of these movies inspires you to exact a little revenge of your own on your hapless, jerk-off ex husbands. Kudos to Internet Movie Database who helped me write the synopses.
COUSIN BETTE - Jessica Lange who's normally quite a dish is positively homely here. She plays a poor, lonely spinster who falls for a handsome young sculptor (Aden Young) she saves from starvation. But the aspiring artist soon finds love in the arms of Bette's niece Hortense, leaving Bette devastated. Bette plots to take revenge on the family who turned her away and stole her only love. With the help of famed courtesan Jenny Cadine (Elisabeth Shue) she slowly destroys the lives of those who have scorned her.
BEING JULIA - You'll adore Annette Benning as the frivolous, yet brilliant actress Julia Lambert.
This tale of revenge is set in the London theatre world in the late 1930's. Reigning diva Julia Lambert is suddenly a bit bored with her fame and success. She falls for a young American, Tom, and begins a passionate May - December affair. When Tom reveals that he's just a social climber whose real passion is the equally ambitious and snarky young starlet Avice Crichton, Julia plots a wicked revenge that takes place in front of a full audience of theatre goers. It's priceless...
