REVIEW: ‘Parisian Woman’ looks at power in Washington through personal channels
The Parisian Woman, Beau Willimon’s new play on Broadway, takes a cynical look at how power is earned in the Washington, D.C., landscape. Friends are friends, and lovers are lovers — all seemingly playing a game with one another, as if microphones were recording and repercussions will be forthcoming.
At the center of the political storm is Chloe (Uma Thurman, of Kill Bill and Pulp Fiction fame), a socialite married to Tom (Josh Lucas, of Sweet Home Alabama and Glory Road fame). He’s a judge, and she’s determined to see him rise to the ranks of the judicial system. That means they need to work the room at dinner parties. For example, Chloe likes to slip in a few questions to see how the nominating process might be going for an important judgeship and whether Tom is being considered.
These not-so-subtle questions are prominent at a party hosted by Blair Brown’s character of Jeanette, a new appointee in the administration of President Donald Trump. Hamilton’s Phillipa Soo plays Jeanette’s daughter, Rebecca, and Marton Csokas rounds out the cast as Peter, a family friend of Chloe and Tom’s.
On the surface, these five characters get along famously, offering nice courtesies and engaging in thoughtful conversation. Anyone who knows Willimon’s plays, including Farragut North, which was later made into The Ides of March, knows that his political investigations turn sour quite quickly.
Without revealing the specifics, the plot takes a few left turns, not all of them well earned. By the end of the play’s quick 90 minutes, souls are laid bare, motivations are clear and feelings are hurt.
Thurman makes a nice Broadway debut. She doesn’t offer a powerful performance, but that’s mostly because Chloe isn’t the best of characters. She’s relegated to stilted dialogue and plot turns that feel out of place. Thurman rises above the material and creates a respectable portrait, but one can only guess what she would have done with a meatier role.
Lucas’ Tom character feels underwritten, and ditto for Soo’s Rebecca. That leaves the two best characters in the play: Jeanette, played with such life and verve by Brown, and Csokas’ unsettling portrait of Peter, a man with one too many agendas. These two supporting roles shouldn’t steal the spotlight, but thanks to the winning performances from these actors, they become the reason for seeing The Parisian Woman.
Director Pam MacKinnon has the drama play out in Chloe and Tom’s living room and a few other locations around the area. The sets are ravishing, as are the costumes, and the ritzy surroundings match the political intrigue.
Willimon is a skilled playwright, and there are glimmers of his talents in The Parisian Woman. But, alas, it’s tough to overcome one’s reputation in the theater, and most would agree that this is “light Willimon” with Farragut North still standing as the gold standard.
By John Soltes / Publisher / John@HollywoodSoapbox.com
The Parisian Woman, by Beau Willimon and directed by Pam MacKinnon, stars Uma Thurman, Josh Lucas, Phillipa Soo, Marton Csokas and Blair Brown. The play is currently running at the Hudson Theatre on West 44th Street in New York City. Click here for more information and tickets. Rating: 
