Women & Men 2 (1991)

Three short stories adapted into films: 1) Based on the short story RETURN TO KANSAS CITY by Irwin Shaw (RICH MAN POOR MAN) and directed by writer Walter Bernstein (THE FRONT). A boxer (Matt Dillon) carefully plans for his future but his fun loving wife (Kyra Sedgwick) wants to have fun now! 2) Based on the short story A DOMESTIC DILEMMA by Carson McCullers (MEMBER OF THE WEDDING) and directed by costume designer Kristi Zea (TERMS OF ENDEARMENT). A young business executive (Ray Liotta) struggles to deal with his wife's (Andie MacDowell) alcoholism and the threat she poses to their children. 3) Based on the short story MARA by Henry Miller (TROPIC OF CANCER) and directed by Mike Figgis (LEAVING LAS VEGAS). Set in Paris, a struggling writer (Scott Glenn) has an encounter with a down on her luck prostitute (Juliette Binoche). As with all anthology films, the quality varies. I found the third story unpleasant but hey, this is from the director who gave us LEAVING LAS VEGAS! The first two have a simple quality that lets the poignancy of their stories take front and center. I'm not so sure how to take all three stories attitude toward women. Sedgwick is a nagging self centered wife, MacDowell is an alcoholic in denial and a poor mother figure and Binoche is a delusional hooker so used to being abused that she can't handle kindness! With Jerry Stiller, Jane Krakowski and Jared Harris.