A Good Woman (2004)

A Good Woman is the kind of romantic comedy that feels like a chilled aperitif on a terrace: light, sparkling, and just sharp enough to leave a pleasant sting. Set against the sun-washed glamour of the Amalfi Coast, it lets Oscar Wilde’s wit do what it does best—turn social manners into a contact sport—while dressing the whole affair in luscious costumes and postcard visuals. Helen Hunt plays Stella Erlynne with a sly, lived-in charisma, and Scarlett Johansson brings a poised vulnerability that makes the generational clash of reputation, temptation, and propriety genuinely engaging. It won’t be for viewers craving big laugh-out-loud gags or modern rom-com pacing, but if you enjoy sophisticated banter, elegant mischief, and performances that glide like champagne, this is an easy recommendation.

A Good Woman is clearly aiming for a breezy, sunlit Oscar Wilde romp—glamorous people trading barbs on the Amalfi coast while secrets and romance swirl. The problem is it often feels like Wilde with the teeth filed down: the satire lands softly, the pacing drifts, and the whole thing can come off more like tasteful postcard melodrama than sharp comedy. Performances are hit-and-miss, and even with a strong cast, the energy doesn’t consistently spark, so scenes that should snap with wit sometimes just… sit there. If you want the original play’s bite or a genuinely funny romantic comedy, this may frustrate you, but if you’re in the mood for pretty period scenery, mild scandal, and a gentle, low-stakes watch, it has a certain polished charm.