When you hear the words “Hot Flashes”, what comes to mind? For me it’s menopause. Thankfully I’m still relatively young, but I know it’s only a matter of time before I hit menopause. I am NOT looking forward to it at all. I hear such crazy things for women who have gone through it or are currently going through it. I have been told the hot flashes are the worst. I’m not a fan of heat or humidity. I have a feeling I’m going to drive my family nuts by cranking the AC just to fight them off.
I heard about a movie called Hot Flashes. I looked up the trailer to see what it was about. Check out the trailer (below).
Hot Flashes stars Brooke Shields, Daryl Hannah, Wanda Sykes, Virginia Madsen, Camryn Manheim and to my surprise Eric Roberts. Everyone is showing the signs of aging. Some have aged better than others.
Beth Humphrey (Brooke Shields) and Lawrence (Eric Roberts) are married with a daughter in high school who is on their championship basketball team. Beth is dealing with the symptoms of menopause, most especially hot flashes.
One day Beth discovers that her friend’s mobile Breast Cancer screening unit is going to be closing down due to lack of funding. Beth doesn’t want to see that happen because the screening unit has helped to detect Breast Cancer for many of her friends. In order to save the mobile unit they have to come up with $25,000.
Beth tried in vain to figure out how to raise money for her friend’s mobile unit. Then she came up with the crazy idea of a charity basketball game. She thought it would be fun to get back together the basketball team from when she was in high school. The only problem is that everyone has moved on and they never kept in touch.
The first person she approaches is Ginger Peabody (Daryl Hannah). She dresses up like a cowboy and sells cars in town. She is on board with the idea.
Next Beth tries to convince hippy Roxie Rosales (Camryn Manheim) to join them. She is reluctant because she’s not in shape like she used to be. She eventually agrees to join Beth and Ginger.
Florine Clarkson (Wanda Sykes) is reluctant to join. She’s moved on and it trying to win a political position in time. She eventually warms up to the idea and joins the ladies.
The last member of the group, Clementine “Clemmy” Winks joins in as well, but not without a lot of convincing. It also so happens that Clemmy and Roxie have some “bad blood” between them which comes out from time to time.
Beth is able to convince the school to set up some charity games between the state championship high school team and their team which they appropriately call Hot Flashes. The school is reluctant but agrees ONLY if they can beat the state championship team.
The charity event was a success and the Hot Flashes beat the home team. This allows them to set up more charity events to raise money.
During the course of the games and practice a lot goes on in their lives. The ladies experience a lot of ups and downs.
Will the women be able to raise enough money before it’s too late? Will their personal lives sidetrack them and prevent them from playing anymore charity games? To find out you need to pick up a copy of Hot Flashes, now available on Blu-ray/DVD where ever movies are sold.
It was fun to see some of the actors in this film. It’s been a long time since I’ve seen these women in movies.
I like that throughout the film Breast Cancer is mention and the importance of getting a yearly mammogram. That is why the women set out to raise funds – because they know how important these tests are and how they save lives and they wanted to make sure the women in town had these tests available to them.
I am not sure what the film is rated. There was one sex scene (no nudity but you can tell the people were having sex), references to marijuana and some foul language. I would think this would be rated PG-13. It’s not really a “family” film. I would let my 16 year old watch it but probably not my 13 year old. They could have done without the foul language and sex scene and still got the point across.
I would classify this as a “dramedy” – part drama, part comedy. Some of the situations the ladies experience, such as infidelity, are serious and not funny. Then there are other parts in the film that are hysterical (like the senior cheerleaders).
I would recommend this film to my lady friends. Not only is it a fun film it’s also got a more serious message – get your yearly mammogram. In fact the bonus section has featurettes about Breast Cancer. My favorite bonus feature is the one where Brooke Shields discusses how the work “mammogram” sounds horrible and that we should rename the test to something more “fun” so it encourages us to get it done yearly. Virginia Madsen called it “massage by the fireplace” (or something along those lines). I call it the “Boob squish”. LOL!
Look for Hot Flashes where ever movies are sold.
Kimberly
*I received a free screener copy in order to do this review. There was no compensation. The opinions expressed are my own and not influenced in any way.
Rachel says
We are always on the look out for new movies to check out. I like Wanda Sykes, she is hilarious, and I don’t think I have seen Brooke Shields in a movie in forever. Thanks for the review.
Kyla Ocain says
sounds like a good one