Hot Flash Movie Review, Trailer, Stars Brooke Shields, Daryl Hannah, W... Movies for Grownups

' The Hot Flashes' Has No Fire

The topic is grown-up but the film stereotypes just about everything

Rating: R Running Time: 99 minutes Stars: Brooke Shields, Daryl Hannah, Virginia Madsen, Wanda Skyes, Camryn Manheim, Eric Roberts Director: Susan Seidelman I truly am not a total buzz-kill, and, yes, my own hot flashes notwithstanding, I think menopause is certainly a topic to be mined for humor. But The Hot Flashes director (of fame) has taken a nose-dive in my esteem with her latest film, which stereotypes women, "that time of life," men and just about everything else. Worse yet, Seidelman somehow managed to get some very talented actresses to go along with her for this silly ride, and I just can't figure out why anyone associated with the project didn't say, "We can be funny and smart at the same time." Not that The Hot Flashes is that funny. Corbis Camryn Manheim, Wanda Sykes, Brooke Shields and Virginia Madsen. plays Beth Humphrey, a Burning Bush, Texas, mid-lifer suffering her own private hot summer and receiving not an ounce of sympathy from her dunce-like postman husband, played by . But Beth finds new purpose when she learns that the mobile -screening program in her community has been defunded, and she launches a plan to raise enough money to save it. The plan involves Beth attempting to round up a bunch of girlfriends from her high school days, all of whom at one time played some basketball, forming a team called, of course, the Hot Flashes, and challenging the current high school girls champion team to a fundraising series of games. Initially reluctant, Beth's friends, despite lingering rivalries and grudges, eventually suit up — in pink, no less. plays Roxie Rosales, who has a penchant for baking and for , both of which she blames for the size of her big hips. (looking very weird with red hair worn in ringlets) is Ginger Peabody, who runs the local car dealership and lives with a woman she claims is just a friend. Voluptuous plays Clementine Wink, a highly sexed divorceé, and takes on the most believable character of the bunch as Florine Clarkston, the town mayor who doesn't want to call attention to her color (which basketball most certainly would do).

Get Social

Tweet This! Follow Meg Grant
YouTube: See reviews and trailers at All of the lady players' personality characteristics are clichéd, as are their on- and off-court interactions. Their coach, Paul Lazarini, portrayed by the diminutive (3 feet 9 in real life), comes off as a joke, and the film's nonplot is as predictable as they come. One redeeming element of The Hot Flashes is that it has as its charity partner the The premiere of the film served as a fundraiser, and cast members participated in a public service announcement for the organization. It's just too bad that the movie's early-detection message gets buried in all the nonsense. is West Coast editor for AARP The Magazine.

Also of Interest br

Visit the for great deals and savings tips Featured AARP Member Benefits See more Entertainment offers > See more Entertainment offers > See more Entertainment offers > See more Entertainment offers > Cancel You are leaving AARP.org and going to the website of our trusted provider. The provider’s terms, conditions and policies apply. Please return to AARP.org to learn more about other benefits. Your email address is now confirmed. You'll start receiving the latest news, benefits, events, and programs related to AARP's mission to empower people to choose how they live as they age. You can also by updating your account at anytime. You will be asked to register or log in. Cancel Offer Details Disclosures

Close In the next 24 hours, you will receive an email to confirm your subscription to receive emails related to AARP volunteering. Once you confirm that subscription, you will regularly receive communications related to AARP volunteering. In the meantime, please feel free to search for ways to make a difference in your community at Javascript must be enabled to use this site. Please enable Javascript in your browser and try again.