New York - July 05, 2002

The Girlie Show

"Me Without You" Opens

She stood by you through braces and pimples. Through your first kiss (who knew he was going to use tongue?), your deflowering (in her parents’ bed, tramp!), your wedding day (she talked you off the cold-feet ledge the morning of)—not to mention the countless nervous breakdowns, bitch slaps, and boozy nights in between.

A girl and her best friend: Is there any more complicated, tortured, wonderful relationship? (Men and their dogs have nothing on it.)

Me Without You, which opens today in New York and L.A., is no simple chick flick. The story follows two English girls, Marina (Anna Friel), the wild, pretty one, and Holly (Michelle Williams), the steady, smart one, through 30 years of friendship, from their backyard pools to college and married life thereafter.

It’s the best movie we’ve seen in ages. Brilliant acting. Compelling story. Great supporting characters (Trudy Styler plays Marina’s swinger mom, Kyle MacLachlan their naughty-boy professor). Perfectly nailed, nod-along-at-the-memories plots, styles, and music. (Shag carpets! Punk outfits! New-wave haircuts!)

Grab your girlfriend and go see it. And make up for that night (and what you did to the carpet) in her parents’ house. Your treat.

Me Without You opens today in New York and Los Angeles. For tickets and show times, visit moviefone.com.

  Film Buff