•    “Whenever I felt lonely, a double whopper with cheese became my friend. If I felt sad, six strips of bacon made me feel better. Food NEVER judged me. I was so angry. How did I allow myself to get to 307 pounds? “ Star Jones was FAT.
•    "F.A.T. means fabulous and thick, full and tasty, fluffy and tender." Mo’Nique is not lonely, angry or bitter.
•    "I think egg boiling is the hardest thing I’ve ever done but I can make a tiramisu anytime you want." Catherine Zeta-Jones can cook but she doesn’t eat.
•    “She is rich, reckless, in trouble and into drugs, rebellion [and being] frighteningly thin," Diane Sawyer introducing Nicole Richie (no strips of Bacon for her).
•    “I would really want to be someone my child would look up to," Nichie Richie in reply to Diane Sawyer. Start eating.
•    "I’m doing DNA tests with the cast of Wedding Crashers, and hopefully I’ll find out for sure." Actress Isla Fisher jokes that the child she’s carrying might not be Sacha Baron Cohen’s.
•    “Lindsay Lohan needs to get a new set of parents” Donald Trump.
•    "Oh Lindsay, Lindsay, Lindsay! Ohhhhh, Lindsay! And that’s my final word on the subject. "Talk-show host Craig Ferguson, commenting on Lohan’s troubles.
•    “Kate has broken my heart. I need her to know that she’s out of her f***ing mind. Kate, if you love me then realise I don’t want any other girl.” Pete Doherty (Oh Pete, Pete, Pete, Oh Pete)  
•    "I like the way she walks and talks. I love her bones. I love her brain." Pete Doherty loves Kate’s brain. He doesn’t have one so he doesn’t know she doesn’t either.

Please don’t cry. You shall go to the ball. You will be groovy this season. I promise.
Just follow FiFi’s Five Step Fashion Fixer:

First step: Climb into big wedges or platforms heels.
Second step: Practice taking first step.
Third step: Wear a dress.
Fourth Step: Toss on Rayban WayFarer sunglasses.
Fifth Step: Throw on something silver and metallic to lift your old, boring old wardrobe. Rush in to Mimco for their fabulous silver, two handle open top tote. It reminds me of green recycle bags reworked in a very groovy silver and slightly bigger.
Wear it, love it, thrash it. Go back to Step One. Repeat.

$89 Mimco Silver Tote

Reasons to wear high waisted jeans:

• You can tuck in your muffin top.
• You can cinch in your stomach at the same time as your belt.
• You instantly get long legs.
• No one will see your whale tail ever again*.
• They are groovy. This is a good reason.
• It’s official: you have become your mother.
• Britney Spears wears low rise.
• You do not want to look like Britney Spears.
• Kate Moss wears them.
• You will look like Kate Moss**.
• You need something lurking between your jeans and your new short, crop Chanel jacket.
• Hit the shops and look for the flat front, wide leg in a dark denim like the fabulous ones from Saba, $199 or go to Bettina Liano, Sass and Bide, Karen Walker, Ksubi and 18th Amendment Colbert from The Corner Shop.

* (a whale tail is the top of a G string)
** (Disclaimer: You will never look like Kate Moss. Sorry)

We all need faith. Faith good things will happen. Faith starving children will be fed. Faith Nicole Richie will eat one day. That Britney will just give up. That Paris will go back to jail. Faith that we will not touch the Gin until at least 1 PM. Faith we will not go to Net-A-Porter for another hour. Faith that wrinkle creams actually work like the Lancôme Absolue Premium Bx. They say “it improves skin elasticity to make skin firmer and reduces appearance of fine lines & wrinkles. That Skin is energized and appears smooth” I say it feels great and keeps skin soft and plumped. I have faith that it has reduced the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Or maybe I just need to clean the bathroom mirror and get new glasses.

$235 Lancôme Absolue Premium Bx from major department stores.

• Read US ravel and Leisure’s article on the best Asian food in Sydney (and Tetsuya’s does not get a good review) http://www.travelandleisure.com/articles/sydney-asia/
• Do you know about Trip Advisor? It’s a fantastic site for travel: full of real opinions and what people really think http://www.tripadvisor.com
• In Greece stay here it looks fabulous http://www.ardamis.gr/#
• Prada will sell 100 percent of Azzedine Alaïa back to the namesake founder for an undisclosed price.
• In movie news: Julie Delpy writes, directs and stars in a new movie 2 Days in Paris. http://www.2daysinparisthefilm.com
• Roman Polanski next film will be "Pompeii," and will be shot in Spain.
• See the Trailer for the new Nicole Kidman movie ‘The Golden Compass’; it looks great…http://www.goldencompassmovie.com/
• Go here for more groovy Travel Guides: Hip Travel Guides http://www.hg2.com/
• American House and Garden magazine has a new site and it’s chic! http://www.houseandgarden.com/
• In London head to Automat Brasserie for drinks or dinner http://www.automat-london.com/
• Off to Positano? Stay here at this cute bed and breakfast; http://www.larosadeiventi.net/
• In Berlin check out the groovy Hotel de Rome http://www.hotelderome.com/
• Check out the divine drawings by Christian Lacroix of his designs for the renovation of the Hotel Bellechasse in Paris which is reopening soon… http://www.lebellechasse.com/les_dessins_en.php
• In the UK stay at the newly renovated Balmoral Hotel in Harrogate http://balmoralhotel.co.uk.
• ‘British artist Damien Hirst is lending his talents to Levi Strauss on a new project. Hirst is collaborating with Levi for the spring 2008 collection of the company’s Warhol Factory X Levi’s label. The collection will be introduced in a runway show during New York Fashion Week in September, showing under the name Warhol Factory X Levi’s X Damien Hirst.’ WWD.
• ‘For its second incarnation, Limited Edition New York has recruited Richard Branson, Shalom Harlow, Italian Vogue’s Franca Sozzani, lensmen Mert Alas and Marcus Piggott, Sarah of Colette, Corso Como 10’s Carla Sozzani and Barneys New York’s Julie Gilhart to be among this year’s fashion icons. That title requires that each make an exclusive T-shirt or tote bag of organic cotton. Their creations will be unveiled before the gallery-like exhibition’s Sept. 8 to 10 run at Industria Studio in Manhattan’. WWD

http://www.marni.com/
Oh why? oh why have I not seen this before? Watch the groovy video, then (window) shop! The Virtual Stores is open to Estonia, Finland, and Slovakia but not Australia? Outrageous!!

http://www.vanityfair.com/culture/features/video/2007/gisele_video200709
Click on this to watch the Mario Testino shoot with uber model Giselle for the cover of the Vanity Fair Best Dressed Issue.
 “This September the best dressed list includes some from VF’s own masthead. Fashion and style director Michael Roberts, Vanity Fair contributing editor Lisa Eisner and photographer at large Jonathan Becker appear, as do Mitch Glazer, Hollywood producer and close friend of Vanity Fair editor Graydon Carter, and his wife, actress Kelly Lynch. There is Teen Vogue editor in chief Amy Astley; Vogue style director Alexandra Kotur; Marina Rust Connor, Vogue contributing editor, and Bee Shaffer, daughter of Vogue editor in chief Anna Wintour. (Of note: Shaffer does not list her mother as a fashion icon in her blurb — instead opting for Joan Didion, Irving Penn and her sister-in-law, Kathryn Neale, but she does admit to borrowing her mother’s sunglasses.) The list also recognizes fashionable couples David and Victoria Beckham, Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie and Ruben and Isabel Toledo. Why name them to the list? "Because they’re Manhattan’s Latins," says the magazine. (They and nearly half a million others, according to the 2000 New York Census) Reports WWD

• Nicole Richie is sentenced to Jail for drunk driving.
• Lindsay Lohan is in and out of rehab, will soon shave her head and go to Jail.
• Paris Hilton went to Jail, came out, went back in and is now free. But should be back in jail for crimes against humanity.
• Britney went to rehab, shaved her hair, flashed her Brazilian, is now officially divorced and officially NUTS. She should be proscecuted for the offensive Fashion mistakes.
• Nicole Richie is 4 months pregnant to singer Joel Madden. He is not in rehab yet. But that should drive him to drink.
• In maybe the most powerful work of journalism ever, Us magazine asks the daring question: "Is Britney Spears Bipolar?" reports thesuperficial
• Joel Madden was formerly attached to Hilary Duff, who is not pregnant, not in jail, not awaiting trial on drugs charges and not feuding with parents reports SMH
• Tara Reid was in St. Tropez flashing her signature stomach in a bikini. It’s probably not her fault she looks like that. She can’t help that somebody took out all her muscles and filled her skin with mashed potatoes reports thesupericial
• The Daily Mail reports that Paris Hilton recently made an impromptu performance at a karaoke night in an LA nightclub where she performed her painful rendition of Bette Davis Eyes before launching into her own ‘smash’ Stars Are Blind. The paper suggested any stars in the crowd would have wished they were deaf instead.
• Friends of Paris say she intends to release a new album soon even though her debut Paris barely made a dint in the charts, with one critic describing her singing as "like (somebody) having an asthma attack".
• Uma Thurman was seen kissing Elle Macpherson’s ex Arpad Busson. Neither are in rehab or pregnant …yet.
• Are Jake Gyllenhaal and Reese Witherspoon back together?
• Steve Martin married long-term love Anne Stringfield in a surprise ceremony at his LA home wearing an Inspector Clouseau moustache. Arrest this man!
• Victoria Beckham will cameo in the upcoming second season of Ugly Betty. Arrest this Fembot.

Cheap Diamonds: A Novel (Hardcover) by Norris Church Mailer (Author)
‘Norris Church Mailer (The model wife of Norman Mailer) triumphantly returns with this breezy, hilarious novel set against the backdrop of 1970s New York City. Cheap Diamonds follows a sweet young girl from the Arkansas who risks it all to fulfill her heart’s desire. Cherry Marshall leaves behind all the comforts of home and enters the New York modeling world at the advanced age of twenty-two. Mailer vividly captures a thrilling era when New York City was the burgeoning center of art and fashion, when being young and beautiful was the only currency one needed for survival. Smartly written, full of humor and hope, Cheap Diamonds reminds us that no matter where we travel in life, we are never very far from home.’
$16. http://www.amazon.com Publisher: Random House (August 7, 2007)

The Christmas List
Axel Vervoordt: Timeless Interiors by Armelle Baron and Christian Sarramon
Another gorgeous coffee table book on interiors! Axel Vervoordt began his career as an art and antiques dealer in the late 1960s, when he meticulously renovated a narrow street with sixteen of the oldest houses in Antwerp. In 1986, his company moved to a castle near Antwerp. Axel Vervoordt’s company grew rapidly in this castle and he became a major collector and decorator. The foundation of Vervoordt’s style is his commitment to making the past a relevant part of today’s design. Now the extent of Vervoordt’s talent is revealed in the unique atmosphere of the twenty-three houses presented in this book…lovely.
$45 http://www.amazon.com Publisher: Flammarion (September 18, 2007)

Economy class:
MNG:
I see some new summer pieces arrived in store: But I see scary lilac. Not a good look. Keep away from Lilac, watermelon and yellow. Never wear those colours. So cheap and so tacky. So instead check out the black, round neck dress with a pleat front and simple cap sleeves, $159 and then head to the T shirt section: It’s great and there are a lot of cute slogan T shirts. Go for the one with a black and white face (Clara Bow), $49 and the white T shirt with shoes all over it in black flocked velvet, $49. Also check out the gorgeous print dress a la Chloe with tortoiseshell and beads along the neckline, it’s a smock shift dress in white linen with huge graphic brown print flowers across it, $199. Love it and so Chloe - this is a must buy! The smock dress is the dress you will see everywhere for summer: Look for a round neck, a looser almost straight shape and make sure it is just above the knee. Most will have a puff sleeve a la Burberry or short sleeves. Now check out the cute print jersey smock dress with huge splotches of khaki gold and brown across it, $119 and the snazzy cotton khaki smock dress with wide straps and a bubble skirt, $199. Very on trend. Wear it, love it, thrash it then say goodbye. The sheer chiffon black blouse with a silver bead neck tie is chic, $149 as is the most simple oversized black satin Tee, $99. I see an anorak in nylon with a drawstring hem and long line to cover your bottom. Cute… Remember wear a Parka with leggings and heels a la Prada. If you don’t do leggings just make sure you wear a narrow something under it – a pencil skirt or skinny trousers or you will look like Ten Ton Tessy. And she is really fat. And we can’t have that. I see faded skinny grey jeans here. I know Kate Moss wears them but I find them cheap. And we don’t want that either. I spy a sale here too with quite a few great buys including a fake fur chubby and a few puffa jackets; both big trends for next winter too so get into it now…from about $149…
Mollini:
A few new shoes here to try… Check out the fab cream or black cloth canvas multi strap heels with a huge wooden platform, very Helmut Lang. They are cut very high up nearly to the ankle, $158. There are black satin ballet flats with black jewels toe a la Miu Miu, $128 also in a heel version. Remember the jewel shoes are not just for wearing for evening they are so right for day with jeans or simple outfits. Just make sure they don’t fight with too many other accessories. No fighting please. Keep it calm and clean. Only one area needs the attention and that should be the shoes. I see the patent Jimmy Choo inspired strappy heels, $158. The groovy blush patent Mary Jane’s with a thin heel and 3 straps across the front are one of the shoes of the season, and a tribute to Lanvin. They are nearly sold out, $139. You want the cute little black satin low heels sling backs with a bow, $128 and the square peep toe, black satin heels with black jet jewels on the toe $158.
Cue:
Lots of fab new pieces arrived in store although most is very classic and work orientated. For more fashion pieces look at the black sequin leggings. Yes, that’s right, Black sequin leggings. They will make your legs look slim - only for those who think they can. Check out the single-breasted satin princess coat in a gathered trapeze shape with a zip, $235 and the silver linen dress with a zip, frill front and trim in taupe cotton along the hem. Very Marni inspired, $279. Also there is a very Chloe inspired dark silver, shimmery silk tank with a frilled round neck and slash pockets, $199. Love the black belted sheath dress with cap sleeves and I am sure it will fit like a glove. Perfect for going from work to evening. Same with the black sheath dress wit its own black patent belt, $149. I see very hot pink and bright cobalt blue chiffon dresses for the young and groovy, $249. And the dark denim baby doll dress is fab with a black grosgrain trim and a simple smock shape, $209.
Nine West:
Love the new silver bags: the small messenger bag about $69 (it’s the size of a manbag!) and the big 2 handle totes with lots of outside zip. It looks very much inspired by a Chloe Betty Bag, about $100 - a great buy. In the shoes I see silver high top converse style sneakers and groovy peep toe black shoes with a wedge in shiny gold, $159.
Esprit:
Very red, white and blue here…Best buys are the navy cotton military style peacoat in a crinkle cotton with epaulettes, $129; and the cute navy sweater dress is very handy with a stripe canvas belt, press stud front and short sleeves, $89. Check out the fab ribbed black silver lurex tank. A subtle lurex it’s a great buy to razz up all those black pencil skirts and black pants, wear it alone as a tank in hot weather or wear now layered over a white shirt or a Tee, $69. Also check out the simple black cotton classic flat front skirts with their own little stripe navy and black stripe belts, $89. There are chic, white with navy stripe cardigans that look very Petit bateau, with a matching skinny scarf. Maybe ditch the scarf but it’s a cute top, $89.

Business Class:
Sunglass Hut:
The Rayban Wayfarers were the Item du jour way back months ago in The FiFi Report. Now I see not only the black sunglasses in store but a cool khaki green, a snazzy white and a groovy orange from about $149.The only sunglasses to wear this season.
Country Road:
I see lots of red, black and white. How fresh and clean. The best buy this week is the adorable black little shift dress with a fabulous black stone-encrusted neckline, it has the must have 3⁄4 puff sleeve (it’s the sleeve of the season) about $200. It also comes in a white silk with a white stone-encrusted neckline - gorgeous. Also buy the cute, croped black couture 50’s style jacket with big black buttons and a round peter pan collar. Sporty luxe is chic, check out the short little red croped anorak with drawstring neck. Think of this as your new cover-up for summer and ditch a cardigan (So BoHo No No). The 3⁄4 long line cotton parka with a drawstring hem in black, $179 is cool and so is the white summer dress with a drawstring hem and elastic waist dress. It has a ruching along the front and snazzy zip detail, $179 - very summery and great to wear if you are heading to St Tropez. Also check out silver lurex round neck cardigan, $99 and the fab short cuffed shorts in grey, $99. Must wear with heels. The smock Trapeze dress from last season is back in black with a ruffle front and buttons a la Chloe, $249. In accessories please buy the red slouch bag that is very Marni, the fabulous red patent flats, the white patent flat peep toe sandals (as reported last week) and the must have patent belts in red or white. Oh and of course the item du jour for summer - silver flats. I see a rack of pieces still on sale for about 50% off including cute sweaters and stripe tops from about $29.
Veronika Maine:
New season is beginning to appear and it’s once again a tribute to Marni. Chic! Smock top galore! Check out the smock dress in a burgundy silk taffeta-ish fabric with the all important sleeve detail and high heck, $289. And the most simple and understated white long sleeve silky Tee, $119. It’s a bit loose so is great for covering those donuts you scoffed for lunch. The cobalt blue chiffon wide neck tops is very Marni-ish, with a flattened knot at the front, $139 and buy the long white smock top in heavy cotton with 3⁄4 sleeves and a V-neck, delicious in it’s simplicity, $139. The fab cropped navy cotton zip top is a great buy: very sporty luxe. It’s has a white trimmed brass zip down the front and is collarless, $155. Chic! The grey cotton wide square Tee with a double layer of cap sleeves will sit very flatteringly on your shoulders, I just know it, $99. Buy the high neck sheer chiffon blouse to wear now and into summer. Fab! Wear with jeans and heels, or with grey pants and cream belt for work and sexy mama with shorts and heels for evening. What more do you want for $119?
Max and Co:
New season arrivals in here are looking lovely. Buy the tan leather ruffle front zip jacket, $895 and the classic but oh- so-chic navy and grey marle stripe long sleeve T $110. Great price for great quality here. Check out the lovely rib knit, shoestring tank in navy with a belt, $240 and the black leather bomber jacket with a rib trim, $995. Remember the bomber jacket is a big trend worn over pretty summer dresses. The beautiful grey marle fine knit Tee with gathered sleeve detail is a great buy, $120. Still need a trench? I hope not because I have been telling you for years to buy one. If you are one of the last FiFi Readers to wander the city tragically without a trench you can buy one here. It’s a simple single-breasted coat but a little short, $595. The khaki nylon zip sporty Luxe parka is fabulous; it’s almost a blouson jacket with patch pockets, $360. In accessories you want the silver metallic rouched belt a la Miu Miu, $195. There is a cute Superga (for Max and Co) sneakers in silver about $200 and fab dark denim jeans. You will love the black sling back platform peep toe heels with white stitching, $340 - the shoe of the season.

First Class:
Paul and Joe:
New Store Alert! A new Paul and Joe store has now opened in WBJ (near Evelyn Miles) and it looks great. The buying is much better than the Paul and Joe in David Jones where perhaps they are trying to make it younger and funkier. I see a lot of very desirable pieces here. Check out the gorgeous white drape tank top with a silver bead trim and a sexy low back, $595; and the dark denim black jeans look great with a straight le, $475. Buy the beautiful white cotton smock top, $550 with a deep V neckline - always so flattering; and the grey marle T shirt dress, $340 with patch pockets. Love the fine knit sweater dress in a black sheer knit - very oversized, slouchy and loose with a V neck, $695; and the perfect 3⁄4 crop skinny black pants, $595. Check out the white mini dresses if you are getting married. There is a divine black cotton single-breasted trench - love it, please buy, $695. Also check out the Kaftan tops in black or cream silk with a gorgeous self-embroidered butterfly print front - divine, $625. The taupe patent shoulder bag with a knot on the front is groovy and looks very Marni, $720 and the black patent seriously platform heels are only for those who can walk in them, $990. Love the outrageous black or white patent ever so sixties over the knee flat boots, $1600.
David Jones On Seven:
Lanvin: it’s al divine here; Buy everything. Start with the divine single-breasted peacoat in stone, $2099; then buy the choc brown, knit dress with amazing stone jewel encrusted along the front, $4299. Invest in the fab zip pocket knit tank, $2499. The satin black top with an almost Kimono front is fabulous; sure we will see lots of copies of this everywhere, $2700. Love the trench in a beautiful slinky fine oyster silk, divine. I am sure I saw the same one in Country Road last season, $5499. Check out the grey round neck knit with cuffs encrusted in big jewels, how chic - for you $2399; and the must have grey round neck T with the jewel encrusted trim along neckline, $2400. You want the drape front silk top, $2200 and the amazing black or grey dresses with a jewel encrusted belt and trim, $3700. I think a few of these pieces are still from last season. Who cares!
Belinda William St:
Lots of heavenly new shoes and bags are now here. Buy the fabulous Miu Miu diamante T bar heels, $840 - also in a flat sandal version with a white trim, $620 and the divine Miu Miu gold T bar flats with a tiny kitten heel, $595. You want the Miu Miu white patent rouched bag about $1800 and the Miu Miu purple satin clutch, $800. Buy the Chloe white patent round toe pumps with a seriously chunky heel and a funky brass buckle, $795 and the Marc By Marc Jacobs cream patent pumps with black piping and a round toe with a cone heel, $645. Love the Marc By Marc Jacobs fab over top lime green, patent pumps, $495. Wear with all black and just make the shoes standout. Love the Miu Miu black patent peep toe with a thin gold spiky heel, $560; and the Chloe T bar black patent T bar with a chunky heel T bar, $895. The Marni shoes are fab: Buy the seriously chunky wooden platform mules in burgundy or black patent mules, $895. I see the famous Repetto ballet flats have arrived in store too (the only ballet flats to wear). There are a few new pieces of the Miu Miu summer collection, such as gorgeous white tops about $690. Buy the Miu Miu rouched black leather belt about $400 and more Chloe chunky heels and Sigerson Morrison flats…
Robbie Ingham: I see a lot of new season’s Chloe has arrived…
Belinda MLC: I see Donna Karen has arrived for the first time here…

Sweet Corn And chicken Soup…adulterated from Kylie Kwong
A little bit Asian, a little bit spicy, it’s all you need for dinner on a cold winter’s night.
(Hungry men may like some rice and Bok Choy as well).  

You need for about 6 girls, 20 models, 2 hungry men:

4 Cobs of Sweet Corn
1 to 2 chicken breasts (poached) Kylie Kwong uses crabmeat instead of chicken. You can too if you want  
2 tablespoons Peanut Oil
1⁄2 cup Finely Diced White Onion
2 tablespoons Ginger (Julienne)
1 Garlic Clove (Finely Diced)
1 teaspoon Sea Salt
1⁄2 cup Shao Hsing Wine
13⁄4 Litre Chinese Chicken Stock
11⁄2 teaspoons Light Soy Sauce
2 Eggs (Lightly Beaten)
1 tablespoon Finely Sliced Green Shallots
Pinch of Ground White Pepper

•  Find a big saucepan somewhere in the cupboard.
•  Pour a wine or two.
•  Remove new Miu Miu patent heels.
•  Now remove kernels from the corn cobs (If you have ask here’s how you do it: run a sharp knife down the sides of each cob). You want about 3 cups of corn kernels.
•  Poach the chicken and then shred it into medium size bits for tossing in the soup at the end. 
•  Time for your new Missoni sunglasses! Time to slice onions! Time for another wine!
•  Now slice up the garlic, the ginger and the onions.
•  Heat the peanut oil in the pot and then sauté onions, ginger, garlic and salt for 5 minutes.
•  Smells divine Non?
•  Add wine to the pot (I’m talking Shao Hsing, not the one in your hand) and simmer until it has reduced by half. If you only you could do the same.
•  Pour in the corn and the chicken stock.
•  Bring to the boil and gently simmer for about 30 minutes.
•  If you see any yucky bits floating on the top, you may need to skim them off.
•  Now toss in the chicken (or crab meat) and then soy sauce.
•  Lightly beat the eggs.
•  Then lower heat and slowly pour the beaten eggs into the soup in a thin stream. You need to keep stirring it with a fork.
•  As soon as you see the eggs forming fine ‘ribbons’. Take the soup off the heat. Don’t worry if you don’t get any ribbon effect. Ribbons are very last season. It will taste just the same.
•  Now serve in chic bowls and accessorized with slices of shallots and dash of pepper.
•  Relax, pour more wine, Eat.

Evening…..Directed by Lajos Koltai
Based on: Susan Minot’s book of the same name and adapted for the screen by Susan Minot and Pulitzer Prize-winning author Michael Cunningham (The Hours).
Genre: Chick flick/love story/Period drama
Who: Claire Danes, Patrick Wilson, Vanessa Redgrave, Toni Collette,Natasha Richardson, Meryl Streep, Glenn Close, Mamie Gummer
The Plot: Old lady lies dying in her bed at home. There are Tears. Has Flash back to days as a young girl. Remembers her long, lost love. Dreams of all the fabulous big houses in Newport. More Tears. Flash forward to now. Chats to her daughters. More Tears. Toni Collette is her zany single daughter, Natasha Richardson her perfect, blonde, married daughter. More Tears. Old lady flashes back to young, handsome, long lost love and all those fabulous houses in Newport again. If only we could all do that. Sobs. Repeat Flashback. More Sobs. Repeat Flash back. Sobbing. The end.     
Acting: Such great talent. Some say it’s wasted. Claire Danes is great. There are two mothers and daughters playing each other. Natasha Richardson plays the daughter of real life mother Vanessa Redgrave and Mamie Gummer plays her real life mother Meryl Streep as a young girl. She is Meryl’s double but a little weird looking. Bless
Photography: Fabulous, sumptuously shot, it’s beautiful too look at.
Design: It’s all very fabulously recreated 1950’s set in huge houses in Newport Rhode Island.
Wardrobe: Lots of big full 50’s skirts, pretty cardigans, evening dresses and frocks. Very next season Prada Resort 08
Salon de Beaute: Toni Collette has shocking ‘zany’ red dyed hair and bad eyeliner. Natasha Richardson has a bun. Who wears a bun? Vanessa Redgrave is brave. She doesn’t wear any makeup. We see wrinkles. She is a British actress.  
Botox: Double dose: A ten Kleenex movie = serious frowning.  Natasha Richardson has had nose job and Botox. Toni Collette can still frown very slightly. Claire Danes has never had botox. She shows emotions! She frowns! She Smiles!
Waterproof Mascara: Don’t even bother putting any on. It will end up on your chin.
Blood ’n’ Guts: People die but not from any guns.
Mind drifted to shopping: Seeing the fabulous houses, and the pretty yachts.
Smokin’ smooches: Smoking romance sizzles. No actual fire.
Car chases: No. Thank you.  
Rename It: The Great Gatsby
Best  Review: “Bittersweet and deeply, achingly romantic, this perfect, perfect film… enfolds regrets and memories and love and hope in [a] snug embrace”. Flick Filosopher
Best Worst Reviews: “Easily the most insufferable film experience in a year that has already given us Wild Hogs, The Hills Have Eyes 2 and Premonition.” eFilmCritic.com
See it or donate to the Prada Bag fund: As beautiful to look at as a Prada bag, you can cry over it as well. (isn’t that what a chick flick is all about?)   
http://www.focusfeatures.com/evening/