Henson finds out ‘What Men Want’

Posted on February 15, 2019

By MARK VIOLA

The 2000 film “What Women Want,” in which Mel Gibson’s character gains the ability to hear the thoughts of women, is not a movie I think much about. And, in 19 years, I don’t expect that the gender-bent remake, “What Men Want,” starring Taraji P. Henson (“Empire”) will be one I think much about either. But that doesn’t mean the new film, or the original for that matter, aren’t funny movies.

In this version, Ali Davis (Henson) gets the power to hear the thoughts of the opposite sex. She works in the male-dominated sports agent industry, and continuously finds herself boxed out by her peers. Her new-found ability may finally giver her the edge she needs.

In the original movie, Gibson’s character was a chauvinistic pig, and his character arc, following him as he finds love and reconnects with his daughter, provided the film’s heart. My concern going into the new film was how they were going to treat Ali’s character, namely the flaws that would provide her room to grow.

Fortunately, there is plenty of room. While Ali is definitely being held back by some of her male colleagues, she also has a hard time relating to the men (and women) around her, whether it’s her potential new boyfriend (Aldis Hodge, “Leverage”) or her long-suffering assistant (Josh Brener, “Silicon Valley”).

This is a raunchy comedy, and definitely earns its R rating, but if that doesn’t turn you away, “What Men Want” provides quite a few laughs and just enough heart for us to care what happens in between the jokes.

The movie is rated R for language and sexual content throughout, and some drug material.

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