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Mira Sorvino, Mariah Carey, Melora Walters, Arthur J. Nascarella, Saul Stein ... see more see more... , Joseph Siravo , Christian Maelen , Anthony Alessandro

David Anspaugh's mix of female bonding and mob drama, Wisegirls concerns a trio of waitresses. Meg (Oscar winner Mira Sorvino), wise-talking Raychel (Mariah Carey), and wannabe dancer Kate (Paul Thoma... read more read more...s Anderson regular Melora Walters) grow close while working at an Italian restaurant. After saving a man's life at the eatery thanks to her time in medical school, Meg begins to realize that the establishment is mob-controlled. Soon she must hide the dead body of her boss (whose "whacking" she indirectly caused). Eventually, Meg discovers secrets about her two friends and is forced to risk her life in order to gain information on the mobsters. This mix of gangster film and female bonding screened at the 2002 Sundance Film Festival. ~ Perry Seibert, Rovi

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32% want to see it

3,567 ratings

Critics

38% liked it

8 critics

R, 1 hr. 36 min.

Directed by: David Anspaugh

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DVD Release Date: December 31, 2002

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Flixster Reviews (199)

  • romy861
    March 12, 2011
    romy861
    Actually a lot better than what I expected. I only watched this one because it was leant to me, and also I really like Mira Sorvino, so decided to give it the benefit of the doubt despite how bad it looked.
    First of all, Mariah Carey is awful in this. Just awful. She has gaine... read mored a little more respect from me since she did "Precious" (i did not even recognise her in that one!) but this is 2002, and her performance is right up there with Glitter.
    Also the "mob" guys are very cliched and not the best acting.(Also kind of racist, as one of the waitresses remarks that all Italian restaurants are run by criminals. Nice).
    Mira Sorvino is good, I think she normally is. Luckily the story mainly follows her as Meg, a woman who has had some type of trauma (I don't think they every fully explain what, or maybe I just missed that part - although I honestly did watch this one all the way through!). She has come home to stay with her Grandmother who seems to have some type of dementia, and she gets a job in an Italian restaurant. It's obvious the guys running it are pretty shady, but the full extent of it doesn't become apparent until she is in too deep to leave, setting up some horrible and unsettling situations.
    In the meantime she has made good friends with the other two waitresses there played by Mariah and Melora Walters (who is okay - not outstanding - but next to Mariah, definitely okay).
    This strikes me as a straight to DVD movie. I was so-so with it until about an hour in when it does pick up and it has a few interesting twists, the final one which actually left me teary. (However, I think that was more to do with a personal issue in my life over a friend I lost - I really don't think the acting was that great in this to credit it with that!). I didn't mind this movie. Definitely there are worse ones to spend an hour and a half with.
  • donnarenee2006
    November 2, 2008
    donnarenee2006
    This was actually a pretty cool movie. And Mariah was not so bad, playing one of the waitresses waiting on Mobsters in NYC. Mira Sorvino co-stars in this pretty cool movie with a suprise twist.
  • shiningmylight327
    June 10, 2009
    shiningmylight327
    This movie is absolutely FABULOUS, definitely one of Mariah's most promising performances.

    The acting and story of this movie are amazing and Mira Sorvino showcases her amazing ability as Meg, who looks for a new life with her grandmother after the tragic death of her husband.

    ... read moreThe story and characters are all fabulous and it's definitely got a twist that you wouldn't expect at the end.
  • phantopp
    July 28, 2008
    phantopp
    "Meg" (Mira Sorvino), a medical student, returns to Staten Island, New York, to help take care of her elderly grandmother (Isa Thomas), who is under the care of "Mrs. Saladino" (Tina Bruno), herself an older woman. As soon as she settles in and begins to help take care of her gra... read morendmother, "Mrs. Saladino" sends her to her close realitive who runs and Italian restaurant with an opening for a job as a waitress.

    "Meg" goes for the interview with the manager, "Gio" (Joseph Siravo), who hires her and puts her under the wing of "Rachel" (singer Mariah Carey), the tough-talking head waitress. The two become friendly with another waitress named "Kate" (Melora Walters), who is on the shy and reserve side. The three become fast friends, and watch each other's backs on and off duty. And they become even closer when "Rachel" and "Kate" learn that they share a birthday.

    The owner of the restaurant (Arthur J. Nascarella) often eats with his son "Frankie" (Christian Maelen). The owner begins to act fatherly towards "Meg" while the son is giving her the once-over.

    Then an incident in the back room of the restaurant requires "Meg's" medical skills. The incident proves that there is more going on than eating at the place.

    The first part of the movie has good character and story development, but lags many times. The musical score is also quite nice, but I did catch a couple of times when the music was a little louder than the dialog.

    The cast does a good job making you believe in their characters. And the one who is the central figure in the major plot twist happens where the character reveals her/his true identity will certainly surprise you.

    For a movie with the Mob as a central part of the plot, the movie is not too bloody. However, there are some fairly bloody scenes -- one of which might make you a little queezy.

    Nothing much can be said for the visuals. There is some gun play in the movie, but they don't require spectacular special effects.

    The movie is pretty good if you're spending the night at home, but I probably won't be adding it to my home video collection any time soon.
  • mellowmortal
    February 17, 2008
    mellowmortal
    I'm a Mariah Carey fan and decided to check this one out. The movie was a bit obvious and ridicolous at times and funny at times that it shouldn't have been. Mariah's acting was still good though. She did the best she could with the crappy storyline she was given.
  • bigsistertotre
    July 3, 2007
    bigsistertotre
    They made Meg cut a body into tiny pieces?? Had to close my eyes on that part. It was a pretty good movie..wonder why they didn't show it in the movies?
  • princesachrissy
    June 5, 2007
    princesachrissy
    I watched this movie because Mariah Carey is in it and I love Mariah. It's not that bad...this gives her acting career a boost.
  • genevieveb1
    March 21, 2007
    genevieveb1
    I watched it as a last resort on TV, but enjoyed it thoroughly. Mariah was meant to play a smartass manager.
  • gokuhan13
    June 14, 2006
    gokuhan13
    it's a good movie and after seeing Mira in a role like this it's interesting to watch her be tough in other movies i think if a director chose her for a starring role she'd bomb(good kind ie she'd do well) it perfectly

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Critic Reviews

Mick LaSalle
June 2, 2003
Mick LaSalle, San Francisco Chronicle

It's a good film -- not a classic, but odd, entertaining and authentic. Full Review

Kirk Honeycutt
August 21, 2002
Kirk Honeycutt, Hollywood Reporter

The piece plays as well as it does thanks in large measure to Anspaugh's three lead actresses.

Jeffrey M. Anderson
May 30, 2003
Jeffrey M. Anderson, San Francisco Examiner

What really surprises about Wisegirls is its low-key quality and genuine tenderness.

Anthony Miele
December 8, 2002
Anthony Miele, Film Threat

By-the-numbers yarn. Full Review

Christopher Null
October 31, 2002
Christopher Null, Filmcritic.com

Mariah Carey gives us another peek at some of the magic we saw in Glitter here in Wisegirls. Full Review

Annlee Ellingson
August 29, 2002
Annlee Ellingson, Boxoffice Magazine

Looks and feels like a project better suited for the small screen. Full Review

David Rooney
December 11, 2008
David Rooney, Variety

Click to read the article Full Review

December 6, 2005
Film Threat

Click to read the article Full Review

Emanuel Levy
August 16, 2005
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com

No review available.

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

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