I had apprehension about "In Her Shoes" because Cameron Diaz has been in so many movies where she plays just a fluff of a character. But not here, where she is Maggie Feller, who we learn very early just doesn't seem able to hold down a job, uses SEX to her advantage, and usually ends up crashing with a friend or relative for as long as they will tolerate her.
Toni Collette plays her very different sister Rose Feller, an attorney in Philadelphia who acts and looks a bit homely, and who marvels that she might be able to attract a really nice guy. After one too many screw ups, Rose kicks Maggie out, about the time Maggie finds out that not only is her grandmother (Shirley MacLaine) alive, she is living in Florida in a retirement community. (Mom had died when Maggie was very small, and her dad "shielded" her from grandma.)
Much of the story is Maggie and Grandma coming to an understanding, and Maggie figuring life out for herself there.
SPOILERS. One reason Maggie had problem was her undiagnosed and untreated dyslexia. Grandma found her looking for cash, and made a deal with her. If she got a job, Grandma would match her salary dollar for dollar, so that Maggie could save up $3Grand to go to New York to make it as an actress. Doing hospital duty, Maggie met an older man who insisted she read to him. A retired professor, he helped Maggie face her dyslexia and learn to deal with it.
Toni Collette plays her very different sister Rose Feller, an attorney in Philadelphia who acts and looks a bit homely, and who marvels that she might be able to attract a really nice guy. After one too many screw ups, Rose kicks Maggie out, about the time Maggie finds out that not only is her grandmother (Shirley MacLaine) alive, she is living in Florida in a retirement community. (Mom had died when Maggie was very small, and her dad "shielded" her from grandma.)
Much of the story is Maggie and Grandma coming to an understanding, and Maggie figuring life out for herself there.
SPOILERS. One reason Maggie had problem was her undiagnosed and untreated dyslexia. Grandma found her looking for cash, and made a deal with her. If she got a job, Grandma would match her salary dollar for dollar, so that Maggie could save up $3Grand to go to New York to make it as an actress. Doing hospital duty, Maggie met an older man who insisted she read to him. A retired professor, he helped Maggie face her dyslexia and learn to deal with it.