What Women Want is a 2000 romantic comedy film starring Mel Gibson and Helen Hunt. In this movie, Mel Gibson plays Nick Marshall, a chauvinistic advertising executive who, after a freak accident, gains the ability to hear women’s thoughts. This newfound power allows him to better understand women, improve his relationships, and win over his colleagues and romantic interests.
Nick’s ability to hear women’s inner thoughts is both a blessing and a curse. It gives him the insight he needs to succeed in his career, especially in the world of advertising, where understanding the desires and needs of women is crucial. However, it also forces him to confront the flaws in his own character and behavior, especially his earlier objectification of women.
Helen Hunt plays Darcy McGuire, a strong and competent woman who becomes Nick’s colleague and love interest. Over time, Nick learns that Darcy, like many women, has complex thoughts and desires that he had never fully appreciated before. The dynamic between the two characters evolves as Nick becomes more empathetic and sensitive to the inner lives of women.
The film explores themes of empathy, personal growth, and the power of understanding others. It combines humor, romance, and a bit of magical realism, as Nick learns that women are not just objects of desire, but individuals with their own thoughts, dreams, and complexities. Ultimately, the movie is about Nick’s transformation from a self-centered and arrogant man to someone who values emotional connection and mutual respect.
What Women Want became a commercial success, and while the film’s premise may seem fantastical, it touches on universal themes of communication, respect, and understanding in relationships.
