A Review of “Ladies First”: A Dated Battle-of-the-Sexes Comedy

The latest Netflix rom-com, “Ladies First”, has been touted as a timely commentary on shifting power dynamics between men and women. However, its premise – where a male chauvinist wakes up in a world where women hold all the power – feels more like a retread of past works than a bold new take.

The script, cowritten by Natalie Krinsky and Katie Silberman, relies heavily on tired tropes and cliches, many of which have been explored in earlier films such as “Men Are From Mars, Women Are From Venus” and “What Women Want”. The result is a movie that feels more like a shallow exercise in social commentary than a genuine exploration of the issues.

Damien Sachs, played by Sacha Baron Cohen, is a caricature of a sexist male. His transformation from entitled jerk to humbled learner is unconvincing and relies on convenient plot devices. The supporting cast, including Rosamund Pike as Alex, is wasted in underwritten roles that fail to add depth or nuance to the story.

One of the most striking aspects of “Ladies First” is its reliance on escapism rather than genuine social commentary. The film’s female characters are portrayed as empowered and confident, but only in a way that reinforces the notion that women can be just as sexist and entitled as men. This sends a troubling message about the limits of feminist progress.

The problem with “Ladies First” is not just its lack of originality or depth, but also its failure to engage with the complexities of power and privilege. In a world where women are increasingly taking on leadership roles and challenging patriarchal norms, it’s surprising that a film like this would focus on a simplistic reversal of power dynamics rather than exploring the nuances of change.

The film’s metatextual elements, including Cohen’s familiar Borat character getting emotionally vivisected by Pike’s calculating Amy Dunne, are the most interesting aspects of the movie. However, even these moments feel overly reliant on convenience and contrivance.

Ultimately, “Ladies First” feels like a missed opportunity to engage with the complexities of social change and power dynamics. Instead, it relies on shallow commentary and tired tropes, making it a forgettable addition to the rom-com canon.

The film’s portrayal of women in power is not meant to be taken seriously; rather, it’s a shallow exercise in social commentary that relies on convenient plot devices rather than genuine exploration. This results in a movie that feels more like a regressive step backwards than a genuine engagement with the complexities of power and privilege.

What’s surprising about “Ladies First” is its failure to bring anything new or interesting to the table. Films like “Men Are From Mars, Women Are From Venus” and “What Women Want” have explored similar themes before, but they did so with more depth and nuance than this movie manages.

The film’s message about the limits of feminist progress is troubling, reinforcing the notion that women can be just as sexist and entitled as men. This sends a worrying signal about the role of women in society and highlights the need for more nuanced explorations of power dynamics.