Mel Gibson, Helen Hunt, Marisa Tomei

After an accident, a chauvenistic executive gains the ability to hear what women are really thinking.

Flixster Users

60% liked it

424,507 ratings

Critics

53% liked it

116 critics

PG-13, 2 hrs.

Directed by: Nancy Meyers

Release Date: May 1, 2001

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DVD Release Date: May 8, 2001

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Stats: 19,620 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (19,620)


  • October 10, 2006
    It taught me to be a better guy towards women.
  • September 24, 2009
    Do women really want this?
  • August 22, 2009
    Mel in pantyhose. Hmmm...
  • April 29, 2009
    "If you know what women want, you can rule!"

    Never been a big fan of romantic comedies, only few of those kind of movies are indeed good, like "Love Actually" for example. What bothers me about romcoms is that they tend to be totally predictable and not that funny.

    So, how do t...( read more)hey try to get the audience to laugh? By making Mel Gibson wear makeup and tights? Not that funny. Some scenes were somewhat funnier but all in all, the comedy in this movie was lame.

    Whilst a chauvinist pig tries to 'learn' what women actually want, Nancy Myers, the director, added a nice subplot to the movie, where an employee with suicidal thoughts gets Gibson's characters attention. Those scenes included Judy Greer who is always nice to look at. Same could be said about Marisa Tomei but unfortunately her screen time was very minimal.

    "What Women Want" delivers some nice scenes but in overall, the film is just another lame romcom. What do women actually want then? The film doesn't give answers to that question, love could be an easy and unsurprising answer but this I do now... If men could read womens minds, life would be so much easier!
  • November 11, 2008
    I have a feeling this was actually written by a man...
  • November 8, 2009
    considering the type of movie it is its not at all bad
  • November 7, 2009
    A good comedy and love story!
  • November 3, 2009
    As with alot of Mel Gibson preformance, he leaves you either crying hysterically or laughing till your sides hurt.
  • November 3, 2009
    really funny and heart touching in places.
  • October 27, 2009
    i would not want a man reading my mind

Critic Reviews


December 15, 2000
Steven Rea, Philadelphia Inquirer

A seductive conceit, a stellar comedic turn, a chance to plow the terrain of sexual politics with humor and intelligence ... What Women Want is a winner.

December 15, 2000
Stephanie Zacharek, Salon.com

Although What Women Want is being marketed toward women, it does nothing but condescend to them. full review

December 15, 2000
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

It's not boring and is often very funny, as in a solo dance that Nick does in his apartment, to Frank Sinatra singing 'I Won't Dance.' full review

View more What Women Want reviews at RottenTomatoes.com

Comments


  • michellefortuin
    September 4, 2009
    Nice.. but nothing more than that. The idea is original, but the movie itself is cheesy. Predictable of course. I'm a huge fan of Nancy Meyers, I like all her movies, but this was definitely not one of her best films.
  • perfectgentlemn
    July 20, 2008
    One of my favorites, excellent concept ;-)
  • LibityLobityLoo
    February 27, 2008
    i have a question, is the girl who played "the geek with glasses/ or delivered the files" Judy Greer? it looks like her. she's in 13 going on 30 and 27 dresses if you don't know who i'm talking about. if its not her tell me who it is. please.
  • anglekareena
    February 22, 2007
    What do women want, my God, what do they want? What does a woman want.
    Wow, WHAT WOMEN WANT? actually remains a big mystery. Till now, man cannot understand a woman. So what does a woman want? confusing !
  • bodybuilderegyptain
    October 11, 2006
    i love it more more more
  • JesusOnlyKnows19
    July 2, 2006
    I love the story of this movie it is the best part!

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

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What Women Want Trivia


  • In which movie is Mel Gibson able to hear women's thoughts?  Answer »
  • In what film does Mel Gibson play Nick Marshall?   Answer »
  • What movie has this tagline? He has the power to hear everything women are thinking. Finally... a man is listening.  Answer »
  • What was the movie called where Mel Gibson could hear women's thoughts?  Answer »

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