Women of Today: A Dusty Look at Yesterday's Modernity

Is it worth the watch?

If you're into dusty film history or just really love watching how people used to talk in the 30s, sure, put it on. If you want something that moves fast or feels relevant to today, you’re gonna be bored stiff. It’s one of those movies that requires a specific kind of patience, the kind where you don't mind the plot stalling while someone has a very polite argument in a parlor.

Honestly, watching Women of Today felt like digging through a box of old photos in an attic. There’s a specific charm to it, but the edges are definitely worn down. It’s not quite as punchy as Silent Strength, which had a bit more grit to its pacing, but it tries its best to be meaningful.

The vibe is... stiff

The acting is very, very theatrical. You get a lot of wide-eyed stares and dramatic hand gestures that remind you this was back when cinema was still trying to figure out how to talk. I couldn't help but notice how much the background extras seem to be waiting for their turn to leave the set. There’s one shot in the third act where a chair is clearly placed crookedly, and it drove me a little bit crazy for the whole scene. 🙄

The dialogue is thick. It doesn't flow like people talking; it flows like people reciting essays to each other. Sometimes the silence between lines is so long you wonder if the reel got stuck. It’s not necessarily bad, just very deliberate.

Small observations

• The fashion is fantastic, even if the plot feels like a slog.
• Some of the lighting choices are bizarre—people are constantly in shadows that don't make any sense for the room.
• Mimí Derba really carries the whole thing on her back when the script gets too flimsy.
• The ending feels like it just gave up. It didn't resolve so much as it just stopped existing.

It definitely lacks the snap of something like Crack-Up, which knew how to keep the tension moving. Here, everything feels like it’s being dragged behind a cart. You can almost feel the director wanting to move to the next set before this one was even finished.

Still, there’s a certain sincerity to it. It isn't trying to be clever. It’s just trying to tell a story about people in rooms, and sometimes that’s enough. Just don't go in expecting a revolution in storytelling. It’s just a movie. A very old, very specific, slightly creaky movie. 🎞️