Overheard at Table 3: Ladies First (2026)

Ladies First (2026)

Has a lot of silly laughs, but it seems a little outdated. Yes, it just came out this year, but the theme of "males run the corporate world and women never get to the top of the corporate ladder" really seems like something that would have been more appropriate 20, or even 30 years ago.  In other words, this movie was far past its time in the making.

That said, it's always a bit of a laugh when misogynists get their comeuppance, and you know that Cohen's character does learn the error of his ways, but only by falling in love with someone he finally considers a true equal, and not by truly changing his ways.

Also, I do find it a bit of an old trope that the whole "if women ran the world" schtick always makes a world in which women act like the worst male stereotype possible: farting, belching, and cat-calling.   

To be honest, if women ran the world, they would probably be more subtle with their power.  Men would be pushed out of decision making primarily because women would consider men too short-sighted to truly take a holistic approach to solving problems.  In this movie, women change tires while men just stand around trying to look pretty.   Really, in a world in which women led, men would still do all the hard labor because of their physical strength, but that would be ALL the men would do.   It would be seen as their just, rightful, and God-given position: to work, and leaving the strategizing and higher thought processes to women.

But that's just me: don't let me forget Rosamund Pike, who is her usual splendid self as the cut-throat power hungry person who will do anything to get her way.  She will forever be the Gone Girl who Cares A Lot, in my book.  Although I do have to admit that she does play the uncertain, self-doubting career woman and mother quite well.  A great actress, but she truly shines when she is being low-key scary as hell.

The whole "bra for the testicles" thing reminded me of a feminist book I read in college (can't remember the name, it was either translated from original Norwegian or Swedish, I can't remember which) in which men were called "menwim" and were "househusbands" ... still the old trope of "if they were switched they would just have the same roles as we have now" ... but since that book was written in the 60s or 70s, that was most likely a fresh take then.   I am certain, however, that the writer & director of this film have at least some knowledge of that original book.

I did like how the standard "Oh my god I messed up I need to make sure they don't leave my life" part of the romcom was turned around by her going to his door, and the part in which Pike decided to go look after her daughter instead of staying to make the big pitch for the top job led to Cohen helping book his dentist sister for her daughter.   That was a good humanizing moment which, for me, brought the film slightly above mere silly schtick.

Regardless, I'm certain this one will probably get some negative reviews, but hey, it's an hour an a half, and at least I didn't waste it trying to plow through Citadel.