Quartile rating: 6.5/10 · 1 rating
Advertising executive Nick Marshall is as cocky as they come, but what happens to a chauvinistic guy when he can suddenly hear what women are thinking? Nick gets passed over for a promotion, but after an accident enables him to hear women's thoughts, he puts his newfound talent to work against Darcy, his new boss, who seems to be infatuated with him.
What Women Want is a solid mid-tier romantic comedy that benefits from a fun high-concept premise — a chauvinist gaining the ability to hear women's thoughts — executed with decent charm. Mel Gibson and Helen Hunt have workable chemistry, and Gibson commits to both the comedic and more vulnerable aspects of his character. The plot follows romcom conventions fairly closely once the premise is established, hitting expected beats around deception, revelation, and redemption. Cinematography is functional and unremarkable, typical of early-2000s studio comedy fare. The novelty score gets a modest bump for the telepathy twist on workplace romance, though it doesn't push the concept as far as it could. The ending resolves predictably with the obligatory grand gesture and reconciliation, offering little surprise.