Women In Temptation (Jiri Vejdelek, 2010): Czech Republic

Reviewed by William Barton. Viewed at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival.

Women In Temptation is the Czech Republic’s answer to our Sex in the City. Women In Temptation is the highest grossing film in the Czech Republic, ranking over Avatar. The story centers around a marriage counselor who can’t seem to keep even her own marriage together. Sounds like it’s been done before? Well, it has. BUT, Women In Temptation does offer a few new twists, and the dialogue offers a bold but honest approach to the dating scene making this film an enjoyable watch.

The film premiered in the Czech Republic on March 18th, 2010 and eventually made it’s way to Santa Barbara during SB’s 26th annual film festival. It played in the expansive Arlington Theater, and there was a big enough audience to pack a normal movie theater; just not the Arlington. As the film went on, the older women laughed exuding pure menopausal glee and their husbands wiggled in their seats awkwardly.

Women In Temptation begins with the separation of marriage counselor, Vilma, and her cheating husband. In the throes of despair, Vilma’s mother/ new-found sex coach helps her find her confidence again. Soon, Vilma realizes that she doesn’t want to date a man who is her age, but rather a man who is her daughter’s age; specifically, her daughter’s boyfriend. As that relationship develops, Vilma and her daughter’s relationship is put under heavy strain.

What set Women In Temptation above the majority of chick-flicks is the development of the dynamic relationships surrounding the main character. The script was well written and well executed which created a believable balance to Vilma’s relationships with the supporting characters. There are no minor character’s in the film. Every character in the film is there for a purpose, which seems rather rare in a romantic comedy. Every choice that Vilma makes creates a give and take situation. She can choose to be with the man she wants to, but at the expense of her and her daughter’s relationship. She can choose to be with a writer who is staying in her house, but at the expense of her and her mother’s relationship. She can just choose to be alone, but at the expense of her own happiness. These dilemma’s were well executed in a believable and entertaining way.

The dynamic relationships in Women In Temptation made for a fun and refreshing experience. The film brought up questions dealing with love and age and boundaries within a family. If you love someone, should you place their happiness before your own? While this wasn’t necessarily the most thought provoking film out there, it did dance around some taboo subjects. With witty dialogue and a fun and sometimes unconventional plot line Women In Temptation made for an overall good movie experience, and I imagine that it would be a HUGE hit for those who crave more Sex in the City and don’t know where else to turn but the Czech’s.