The Butcher's Wife

Plot synopsis:
As a clairvoyant, Marina awaits signs from beyond that her true love, whoever he may be, is waiting for her, somewhere. When New York butcher Leo Lemke shows up on the tiny North Carolina island of Ocracoke, where Marina lives, she is convinced that he is the man predestined to be her husband. After the wedding, Marina moves into Leo's blue-collar neighborhood, where she successfully commiserates with such eccentrics as withdrawn teenager Eugene, frustrated singer Stella Keefover, unlucky-in-love actress Robyn Graves, over analytical psychiatrist Dr. Alex Tremor, and closeted lesbian dress shop clerk Grace. But what Marina fails to grasp about her powers is that she can see the future of strangers far more clearly than her own, and love is unpredictable no matter how many ways you have to look for it.
The film makes use of several phenomena that can be described as occult portents that meeting a love match is imminent or occult tools to help strengthen, seal or bring about love, luck and happiness. These include the sudden "finding" of a ring that would serve as a wedding band, falling stars with twin tails, zig-zagged rainbows and found objects symbolizing a change in the finder's path that will cause it to cross with their beloved. It also popularizes, as the character of Alex Tremor calls it, "a corruption" of a section of Plato's Symposium regarding soul mates, referred to in the movie as "split aparts". In one scene, Dr. Tremor notes an aspect of Marina's visions, and Marina says: "Women have been burned for less." This is a reference to the witch persecutions in Europe and America between the 15th and 19th centuries, the most famous of which were the Salem Witch Trials, although no "witches" were burned in the Salem hysteria. Lastly, it also references common-use bastardizations of voodoo practices, such as "mojo" bags (or gris gris) and the use of chickens or toads.

Tags: paranormal

Review:
Demi Moore bold to go with the little known Ocracoke, NC accent....
I think that Demi Moore was bold to go with the little known Ocracoke, NC accent because most people will probably (wrongly) think that she was doing a very bad job at a North Carolinian/Southern USA accent.
The Ocracoke accent sounds like a mixture of Brit and Yank, so what you hear Demi Moore doing in this movie is really quite accurate.I also enjoyed the cozy portrayal of the Manhattan (NYC) side street neighborhood life.
It gives me some nice, childhood nostalgic memories to see the happier, day-to-day aspect of NYC life shown in this film.I watch this romantic comedy whenever it is on TV, and I have no complaints about it at all.
I find it to be a sweet, feel-good film with occasional hints at magic realism, but without plunging too far into that iffy genre.I feel that all the players did good jobs, and that the locations and settings felt very true.
Nice production values too.If you like "Moonstruck", then you will probably like "The Butcher's Wife" too..
At first I was bothered by DM's accent (& her blonde  hair is a shame) but the sweet script transcends all that.
I think Jeff Daniels is simply brilliant in this film, and Mary  Steenbergen too.
I know, I know, it's basically a boiler-plate piece of Hollywood fluff but I really loved this movie.
I am a hopeless romantic and thought this movie captured the essence of falling in love and finding your split-apart...er...soul mate.
:)Jeff Daniels is wonderful as the shrink who can't help himself as his world unravels and falls apart thanks to the whacky Demi Moore character.
Demi is perfect as the ditzy but charming butcher's wife.
I liked this romantic movie just fine.
Demi Moore as Marina is in earnest even though she gets off to a wrong start by marrying a man she "thinks" is the right one, but her feelings aren't based on solid ground as it turns out.
Jeff Daniels is less believable in his role as a psychiatrist and comes across as being more neurotic than his patients!Introverted Stella, played by Mary Steenburgen, is a charmer and her singing is almost the highlight of the film, at least to me.
As well, a certain butcher named Leo is also captivated by Stella's modest ways and they are drawn to each other and soon fall in love.
This only adds to the confusion in everyone's lives and doesn't help solve their problems.The movie isn't a first class romance but if accepted on its own terms it's very enjoyable with a message or two about life and understanding.
Demi Moore (with a blonde do) plays Marina, a clairvoyant who marries a New York butcher believing him to be the man of her dreams.
Once she gets to New York she finds out that while her powers seem to be accurate when she advises other people, she may not have made the right choices for herself...I was forced to watch this movie by my girlfriend and found myself pleasantly surprised.
It's no classic, but is a sweet, enjoyable film (though it's fairly easy to spot how things will work out early on).Over here in the UK the film received a "15" certificate, presumably for the one instance of strong language that actually jars with the rest of the film, and possibly for the lesbian character/s (though they barely touch each other on screen).I sympathised with most of the characters, especially Mary Steenburgen's would-be singer (she has a surprisingly good voice, by the way).
Marina's complete accuracy when it comes to predictions that don't involve her is a little far-fetched, especially when she gets her own life in such a mess.Worth a look if you like low-key romantic comedies with a slightly magical twist (not a large genre!), or if you liked "Simply Irresistible" (1999) with Sarah Michelle Gellar.
What a treat to catch this movie on a HD channel recently; yes, it is "Schlocky-wood", but it's done as a carefully crafted ensemble piece.
The cast has some great moments, especially for Demi Moore and Jeff Daniels.
This is an enjoyable, humorous, ironic, feel-good movie...
you surely won't have to apologize for crude language or over-the-top violence in any scene (well, you will have to get used to Demi's full length blonde hair, and after "G.
This movie is a sweet fantasy with a good message about life, love and destiny.
I usually skip movies with medically-oriented protagonists but the fantasy/psychic elements more than make up for the fact that Jeff Daniels plays a psychiatrist.
Demi Moore is lovely, though the blonde hair is not.
I like the way regular people are touched by magic.
Some people might be distracted by Demi's Moore's accent but I thought it worked well.
The movie deals with psychics in a normal manner for a change.
Unlike so much of TV and movies now, I really liked most of the characters and believed they were good people..
I guess some people are just too overly sensitive and hateful to understand this movie at all.
This is the best performance Demi Moore has ever given in my opinion.
She shows that despite her long time film career she is not the cookie cutter actress most people seem to want her to be.
The accent she uses for this character is wonderfully eccentric and brings a realness to her that really makes her shine in this role.
I loved her in the long blonde hair and flowy summer dresses much more then her typical costumes designed to show off her body.
Demi is sweet and totally alluring in this film and anyone who says otherwise just has a grudge against her.This is a wonderfully whimsical romantic comedy with great acting on all parts.
Mary Steenburgen plays a perfect shut in turned night club singer and sings beautifully in my opinion.
Jeff Daniels is perfect as the semi neurotic psychiatrist whose life is being turned inside out by this lovely psychic.
I think the problem with this film is just that some people tend to take it to seriously and want too much from it.
I wish Demi Moore would play more roles like this instead of crap like GI Jane and Charlie's Angels.
There are people that are homosexual, there is no getting around it, and as long as there are there will be some of that life style written into films.
A movie with a little bit of charm..
This is a somewhat charming little movie starring Demi Moore as Marina Lemke, who thinks she married the perfect husband.
When she returns to her butcher husband's home in the city, she makes a lasting impact on its residents with her love advice, bringing her closer to the real man of her dreams.From what I remember, it's a simple and cliché romantic comedy flick with lesser excitement and lesser suspense.
However, the acting is quite good and you may get a few chuckles here and there from the light comedy.The plot is not incredibly fast-paced, but for a movie at 107 minutes, it's really not too bad to watch.Grade C+.
Demi Moore in a role with high potential and decent solutions.
but a nice story about magic, expectations, true love.
and for the fans of Demi Moore.
because the few ornaments not are so attractive for ignore an old story, sweet, pink, lovely but far to be great about dreams and their clash with reality, compromises and the happiness as result of self definition.
Harmless Fun. Plot in a Nutshell: Clairvoyant Marina (Demi Moore) impulsively marries Leo the butcher, moves with him to New York City and begins to change people's lives for the better with her 'homespun' but sage advice - much to the annoyance of their psychiatrist (Jeff Daniels).Why I rated it a "7": It's charming and cute.
The supporting cast shines - especially Mary Steenburgen and George Dzundza.
Seeing Demi Moore with long, blonde, permed hair was a twist.
Seeing it again recently did not change my opinion, it's still harmless fun.Best Line: Leo (to Dr. Tremor): "Stop (messing) with my life!" Dr. Tremor: "I never touched her!"Would I watch again (Y/N)?
Marina (Demi Moore) grew up on a North Carolina island with her grandma and clairvoyant powers.
Tremor is angered as everybody takes Marina's advise and Leo is beside himself.Demi Moore is blonde.
If you could accept that, then this is a charming little film.
This script was way above Demi Moore's capabilities.
Jeff Daniels, Frances McDormand, and George Dzundza were fine.
Kudos to the movie and everyone in the cast with the exception of Moore..
I have screened this movie for the 4th time.Watching Demi Moore makes it hard to remember she is not acting (re.
Jeff Daniels' character plays a good neurotic.On the pro side, I found the direction fair to midland and the supporting cast excellent.The screenplay is sweetly romantic and sentimental.I did not find the theme overtly pro-homosexual.
Marina can see into people's minds (maybe even their hearts?) but while she is trying to be the guiding influence in the lives of her neighbors her own life is a shambles because she misinterpreted a prophecy concerning herself.
Too bad this movie was not made 20 years earlier with Vittorio DeSica directing and maybe Monica Vitti in the starring role.
Demi Moore stars in a another classic......not..
If the Title "The Butchers Wife" puts you off watching this film count yourself lucky, take the hint and dont bother with this rubbish.
The film is about a simple clairvoiant who marries a butcher after she dreams that her future husband will walk out of the sea.When she moves to New York she meets a group of people who she gives spiritual and relationship advice that turns all their lives around including her and her new husband's.
Demi Moore is a joke from the moment you clap eyes on her, especially in this film, and then of all things, she opens her mouth!
I like my romantic comedic entanglement just a wee dram more innocent, I guess.Downright vulgar, which is sad if only because that vulgarity is the only stand-out feature in the story.
They make it pretty clear that the name of that town is NEW YORK CITY--specifically Manhattan.So again, here we have a sweet tale with no sex or violence and very little language.
Does somebody in Hollywood actually get paid to purposely spoil otherwise "G" rated movies by throwing in just enough immoraity to make them unsuitable for general consumption?Demi Moore shows here that she can be a knockout WITH her clothes on, although I'm not partial to blondes and would ratehr have seen her with her natural color.
Jeff Daniels does a good neurotic.
My only criticism of the casting is that the role of Grace should have been given to somebody who could really sing like Bessie Smith, and then given a chance to do so..
Magic of Butcher's Wife never gets off the ground..
It's always a depressing experience when you can feel magic happening in a film, and then it's never used to its full advantage.
These were exactly my feelings after seeing THE BUTCHER'S WIFE, a romantic comedy with blond-haired Demi Moore.
She plays a clairvoyant with an overactively romantic spirit, who uses her gift for telling the future to act as a matchmaker to assorted residents of a small town, one that resembles a small borough of New York.
She tries out her whim by marrying the first man that touches her clairvoyant heart (George Dzundza), and goes to live and work with him in his butcher shop, hence the title of the film.
Jeff Daniels plays a shrink in the town whose advising is countered by Moore and her fortune telling, leaving him to question her abilities and his own heart (he falls for her too, if you hadn't already guessed).
There are some real wasted talents in this film, including Mary Steenburgen, who is a complete ditz with no real substance except to sing her heart out.
There is some beautiful set design for this film along with a few so-called magical portions, but these sections (precious few that they are) have no connection with the rest of the heavily disjointed script.
When I think of all the love stories I've seen and been touched by, this one doesn't even come close with a ten-foot pole!
Television director Terry Hughes tried his hand at features with this improbable and uneven modern updating of "Marty", with magical overtones and quirky eccentricities--not the least of which is a miscast Demi Moore as a psychic sprite with absurd golden locks.
Moore believes she is fated to marry a lonely but charming butcher (the wonderful George Dzundza, looking a lot more handsome than we're supposed to think he is); after the nuptials however, she begins to have real feelings for another man, yuppie psychiatrist Jeff Daniels.
It's this kind of thinking in Hollywood--that a younger, slimmer man would be a better catch for Demi Moore than a balding, chubby guy like George Dzundza--that sinks most romantic comedies, and nearly does this one in as well.
Daniels is exasperating while trying to shrink Moore's head, while Dzundza's fire is lighted by local spinster Mary Steenburgen, a closet chanteuse.
The film is not the merry romantic mix-up it wants to be, and Demi is too callow to be passed off as this blonde sweetheart (she fails to connect with anyone on-screen, not to mention the audience).
I didn't think movies could be this bad but I kept watching only to see how bad it would get.
Hard to believe they could do such bad work with this good of a cast but the script is so far out there and unbelievable with all kinds of gaping holes and mistakes and ideas and sequences that are not plausible.
Demi Moor does a good job.
Despite a few jumps in logic - like tying up one of the romantic loose ends by making one of the characters an instant lesbian - hmm, wish life were that easy - (and by the way - that's the spoiler) - I thought this movie was a sweet departure from current popular fare.
And by the way, I know Demi got roasted for this role - I thought she was charming, and I'm not generally a big fan..
For someone who likes modern fairy tales, this is a great movie.
Granted, Demi Moore's accent wasn't the best- but I blame that on a bad voice coach- not her.
Basically, if you want a cute, distracting movie with a little bit of the paranormal (Moore plays a psychic- yes, a real one), like urban settings and slightly predictable love triangles with a happy ending, you'll love this one.
This one is for the innocent in the audience- or the people who can overlook one bad point for the big picture, because in the long run, this movie is awesome.
I can't denigrate this feel-good movie.
It's a harmless, little romantic comedy that entertains and delights me.
I watch it every time it's on TV.Demi's character conveys mystery and innocence...and the blonde hair is most suitable to that end.
Plus it foreshadows (spoiler) that Jeff Daniels (also blond) and she are meant for each other.The gay parts are subtle and sweet...I take no offense at all and am surprised that others do.I no longer expect perfection in any movie.
Having said that, if you just want to be entertained and need a break from violence, cursing, and nudity....give this movie a try..
When the dust settles a number of love lives will never the same - including the life of the butcher's wife herself.
This film is not very highly regarded, and there are some good reasons for that, but I enjoyed it a great deal.Demi Moore was the wrong choice for the lead role.
At least her accent wouldn't have leapt all over the map.However the supporting cast are mostly excellent, with interesting and quirky New York characters.
And then later, from another character: "Why are you f'ing with my life"- to which the response comes back: "I never touched her!" There were parts of this film that were syrupy, but with the acidic script it avoided sugar-coma for the most part.
Moore can be pretty as a blonde but totally fails when it comes to energize the movie !
this re-cut makes me HATE whatever soulless machine took over Hollywood and sucked the life out of ALL entertainment.They need to STOP destroying the best movies ever made ("they" did the same to "Miracle on 34th Street")SHAME ON THEM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1.
The Butcher's Wife is a poor film by so many standards it is difficult to list them all.
I find it immensely re-watchable.Firstly, I think Demi Moore is horribly miscast.
It almost needs an "unknown" to take this lead role, and also someone who can convey vulnerability and innocence - which frankly isn't Demi in this role.Secondly, I am also unsure of how effective Jeff Daniels is in his role.
But the script doesn't help.However I love all the secondary characters - particularly the Stella/Leo story and the Grace/Robyn story.
Basically feels like a TV movie.There is just something in the back of my mind saying if only they gave it a good script-editor, decent director and cast, then everyone else would understand why I like it.
"The Butcher's Wife" has an original story about a girl who can see things that will happen in short future.
She marries the butcher in the get go and they develop awkward relationships with people from the neighborhood.
People change pairs, shrink ends up seeing the psychiatrist and some other weird stuff.
This is a light fantasy comedy made for chicks that won't be enjoyed by many like it wasn't by me.
Maybe if you're in a good day and every romantic thing makes you happy you may like it-- or maybe not.