American Women (The Closer You Get) (2000)

I saw American Women a Houston arthouse theater under its original name, The Closer You Get. It's a witty, sweet, low-key movie that I still remember fondly and would gladly see again. It's not exactly comparable to any movie pairing I can describe but it has elements of Waking Ned Divine, Chocolat, The Full Monty, and The Shipping News. Our story begins in a coastal Irish town so isolated that boaters typically have to carry their punt across a half-mile of mud flats to put out in the sea. The young men of the town (shall we call them punters?) decide their available selections for future wives are somewhat lacking, so they secretly send a personals ad to Miami, inviting beautiful models to attend the town's fall harvest festival and then be married in a mass ceremony. After this harebrained scheme is discovered by the postmistress, the towns' maidens band together to exact their secret revenge. I love the subtle interactions and understated Irish humor in this little-known gem. You'll doubtless enjoy how the young men and women of the town come to a meeting of the minds. Don't miss the closing minute of the show though! 3.5 stars.