Written by Susan Granger
www.susangranger.com

If the shoe fits, share it. That's the credo of two Philadelphia sisters who couldn't be less alike.

Sexy Maggie (Cameron Diaz) is a sweet-natured tramp who's never held down a job because of dyslexia, which accounts for her low self-esteem. Seduction and theft have become a way of life. This infuriates her staid older sister Rose (Toni Collette), a top-notch attorney, particularly when she discovers Maggie in bed with her one-and-only boyfriend. Abandoned by her father (Ken Howard), carping stepmother (Candice Azzara) and Rose, Maggie discovers her long-lost grandmother (Shirley MacLaine), living in a Florida retirement community. As the story unfolds, all three women learn life lessons, rejoicing in and recovering from their dysfunctional family.

Screenwriter Susannah Grant has deftly adapted Jennifer Weiner's insightful novel and Curtis Hanson's graceful, compassionate direction packs a powerful emotional punch. Toni Collette radiates intelligent insight coupled with crippling self-doubt, while Cameron Diaz's earthy vivacity and incandescent vulnerability are so intense that she's truly astounding. Evoking memories of "Terms of Endearment," Shirley MacLaine brings not only subtle skills but radiates warmth and delicacy. Rounding out the comedy/drama cast, Richard Burgi and Mark Feuerstein function well as boyfriends, while veteran character actors Norman Lloyd and Francine Beers are scene-stealers, along with the lively 'retirement village' residents.

The 'special effects' here are embodied in such dazzling performances that it's easy to understand why Hanson was loathe to make more scene cuts.

On the Granger Movie Gauge of 1 to 10, "In Her Shoes" is an irresistible, compassionate 8. Don't dismiss this as a chick-flick; it's far more savvy and substantive than that.