Review: Wild Oats

Originally aired as a Lifetime movie but released theatrically in international markets, Wild Oats is a trifle of a film headlined by two heavyweight Academy Award-winning actresses. Indeed, the individual and collective star power of Shirley MacLaine and Jessica Lange is the sole reason this lightly dramatic caper merits any interest.

MacLaine stars as Eva, newly widowed and having to withstand the endless procession of people who deem her brave and assure her that her husband is in a better place. Lange is Maddie, her best friend for over 40 years, who is sad for Eva but also distraught over her suspicions that her husband is having an affair with his twentysomething secretary. Eva's husband does indeed leave her - "What does she see in him?" she bemoans to Eva as she runs down the list of her ex-husband's inadequacies.

The plot, such as it is, kicks into gear when Eva receives a check from the life insurance company who have inadvertently given her 5 million dollars instead of the expected $50,000. Eva and Maddie attempt to contact the life insurance company to report the error, but are thwarted by the seventh circle of hell that is automated customer service. With both ladies single and Eva's daughter Crystal (Demi Moore) pushing her to live in a retirement community, the friends decide to take advantage of their financial windfall and head to the Spanish Canary Islands to have some fun.

Once in Gran Canaria, the ladies soak in the sun, treat themselves to the Presidential Suite, and indulge in a little romance. Eva is courted by a Scottish businessman (Billy Connolly) who may have his sights set on swindling her out of her fortune. Meanwhile, Maddie wears out the much-younger Chip (Jay Hayden) as they recreate his Mrs. Robinson fantasies. Whilst the ladies are having their fun, agent Vespucci (Howard Hesseman) is assigned to track them down and retrieve the money after the insurers realise their mistake.

The film itself is a mediocre affair with lazy and half-hearted direction from Andy Tennant, whose usual light touch is missing in action here. The script by Gary Kanew and Claudia Myers is by-the-numbers and unnecessarily busy with superfluous shenanigans. The supporting cast is solid if unremarkable. Moore has a pretty thankless and quite irritating role, and she doesn't do anything in particular that couldn't have been done by 20 other actresses.

MacLaine and Lange are clearly having a hoot and they are nothing but delightful to watch. MacLaine's tart allure and Lange's languorous sensuality are well showcased, which makes it even more of a shame that the script and direction aren't up to their level.

Wild Oats

Directed by: Andy Tennant

Written by: Gary Kanew and Claudia Myers

Starring: Shirley MacLaine, Jessica Lange, Demi Moore, Billy Connolly, Howard Hesseman, Santiago Segura, Matt Walsh, Stephanie Beacham