She Drives Me Crazy

In Glendalle, New York (that's how it was spelled on the envelope), Virginia's husband dies. Her spoiled but wild-looking sister Blithe, whose husband Samuel is a plastic surgeon, attends the funeral, even though the sisters don't get along.

Virginia's teenage son Pete goes back to school, though he's reluctant because his mother is having a hard time coping.

With Virginia depressed and drinking, Blithe insists her sister come and stay in her fabulous house with its perfect lawn. Virginia finally agrees. While she is there, Samuel looks at her inappropriately, which is hard to understand because Virginia looks so plain and acts so depressed. Don't worry, all that will change! Blithe doesn't seem to know about her husband's desires, but she has the solution for both of them. Yes, Blithe has reasons to be unhappy, believe it or not, but she hides it well. She's the fun-loving sister.

Road trip!

Okay, they're not exactly Thelma and Louise. But they do have fun and Virginia occasionally smiles. The red Mustang convertible, in the "new" style that resembles the original, looks great.

Blithe has two objectives--it is time for Virginia's high school reunion, which she would have never attended on her own, and Blithe wants to visit her ex-husband Hank. So it's back to the old, boring home town. It's no wonder Hank is Blithe's ex--to look at his house and his lawn, one would wonder if anyone lived there. Hank is a photographer and he lives in a beautiful country location, but for a shallow suburbanite like Blithe, that won't be enough. And yet the two still seem to have feelings for each other.

I'm not sure what the title refers to. I guess each sister drives the other crazy; they're kind of an Odd Couple--one strait-laced and conservative and the other just trying to enjoy life.

It's not all fun. There's a lot of discussion of problems with both sisters' lives, and a lot of depressing stuff, but there are just enough laughs. And the girls are pretty. Well, Virginia is eventually. Blithe looks good from the start, if you like the truck-stop waitress look enhanced by a surgeon's money.

It's just pleasant enough to be enjoyable.

My wife and I saw this movie and watched it a second time when it replayed. I thought it was very good and thought provoking. The scene with the balloons was very clever. I thought the actors were well casted and the writing was excellent. This is a movie you must see. It is especially meaningful if you have had relationships in your family that are sometimes on the rocks. This movie sort of reminds you not to sweat the small stuff. I am looking forward to this film being released on DVD so I can add it to my library.I also would have to guess this one shows on HBO or some type of premium channel at a later date. I hope it does so people can view it without the commercial interruptions.

I rated "She Drives Me Crazy" a 10 because it was poignant without being cheesy--a fine line if you ask me. I could relate to the story having three sisters of my own--each of us different. Although they sometimes 'drive me crazy,' I would do whatever it took to help them. I cared about the characters, and the ending was wonderfully symbolic and uplifting. The author obviously wrote with heart, not confined to the ordinary, formulaic TV-movie plot with which we tend to be unceasingly bludgeoned. I was disappointed that the popular 90's song with the same name was not part of this movie. Although the music soundtrack is appealing, if I could add anything, it would be to have the familiar tune "She Drives Me Crazy" by Fine Young Cannibals as perhaps an opening song saving the more beautiful composition for key scenes and the ending/credits.

I thoroughly enjoyed this movie and was touched by the "balloon" scene. It was a pleasant change from all the extravagant explosions and violent shootings that plague the television screen. We all have relationships, but the relationships we have with our relatives can be delicate. This movie explores that delicate relationship realistically, yet the viewer can still chuckle sometimes seeing his or her own quirks and behaviors. It reminded me about what really is important in life. It is so easy to take the people I love for granted and not realize what a gift I've been given. I'm glad I saw this movie as it was a gentle wake-up call to appreciate family even though they sometimes make me "crazy." I'd watch it again.

This was an excellent film, and splendidly presented. For example, one male character, who was the story's "horse's ass," was presented in a logical manner, without being extreme or "over the top;" likewise for a minor character, who made a pass at the sisters at his hotel, who just accepted the rebuff, as likely in real life (instead of doing something outrageous and vengeful, as one would expect from a lot of made-for-TV fare).

The two leads, the previously-estranged sisters, the one's son, the other's former (and caring) ex-husband, and their late brother's former companion, are all thoroughly likable and believable, and present fine performances.

The scenery and locales (all Canadian, of course) were attractive, and, again,all aspects of the story, as it developed for beginning to conclusion, achieved everything which the writer and director would have intended, in the right measure and degree. One could care for the characters, empathize and sympathize, and appreciate the absence of the usual contrivances with which this type of story is often infused, to their detriment.

Not so here. It is also a film which I will enjoy seeing again.