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Cobbled 'Shoes' will leave book's fans feeling flat

Those shoes weren't made for walkin.'

Perhaps I went into "In Her Shoes" with too many expectations. First, I love designer shoes — Jimmy Choo, Prada, Stuart Weitzman. Second, I read and enjoyed the novel by Jennifer Weiner, but I tried not to let that influence my experience. That would have worked had the screenwriter, Susannah Grant ("Erin Brockovich"), and the director, Curtis Hanson ("L.A. Confidential," "8 Mile"), used the wonderful material provided in the book. Instead, they made a movie where each scene is a minute or two too long and the edits are choppy and inconsistent. The scenes involving designer shoes, however, were really good.

20th Century Fox 'In Her Shoes' 2 out of 5 stars Director: Curtis Hanson Starring: Cameron Diaz, Toni Collette, Shirley MacLaine, Mark Feuerstein, Brooke Smith Run time: 130 minutes Release date: Oct. 7, 2005 Rating: PG-13 for thematic material, language and some sexual content. See showtimes On the web Official movie site View the trailer    Trailers require Quicktime Rate 'In Her Shoes'   Go see it   Make it a matinee   Wait to rent   Don't bother Voter Limit: Once per Hour View Poll Results

The movie is about two sisters who couldn't be more different. Party girl Maggie Feller (Cameron Diaz) has a hot body and isn't afraid to use it. She is spinning out of control, however, and struggles with dyslexia, which has plagued her self-esteem since childhood and prevents her from realizing her dream of becoming an MTV VJ. Rose Feller, played by Toni Collette ("Muriel's Wedding," "The Sixth Sense") is a Princeton graduate and successful attorney, but she battles with her weight and less-than-glamorous looks. Rose is always there to pull Maggie out of trouble. Maggie is always there to make Rose feel needed. Then Maggie commits the ultimate sin: She sleeps with Rose's new boyfriend.

The sisters become estranged. Maggie soon finds their long-lost grandmother, Ella (Shirley MacLaine). Maggie sets out to use Ella for money and a place to crash, but they form a bond. Or at least we are supposed to imagine they do, because it is never developed fully in the storyline.

Rose does eventually find a man worthy of her affections, the funny and sensitive Simon, played by Mark Feuerstein ("What Women Want", "Rules of Engagement"). The two become engaged, but Rose's inability to share details of the falling out with her sister drives a wedge between the couple. Some of the scenes between Rose and Simon are the best in the movie, but they are few and far between.

During TV interviews about this movie, the actors rave about the screenplay. It might very well have been good, so I guess we can blame the end product on Hanson. Collette, MacLaine and Feuerstein deliver, but Diaz is severely miscast. Although she has the looks to bring Maggie to life, she isn't at her best as an actor, as she was in, for example, "Being John Malkovich." The character seems one-dimensional, and Diaz does a very bad impersonation of a drunken girl.

"In Her Shoes" isn't awful, but it's also not that great. Instead of going to see this movie, you should go to the mall or your favorite shop and buy a new pair of shoes. Your time and money will be better spent, and you will have something to show for it.