User reviews

I really don't quite know what to make of THE VAGINA MONOLOGUES. On the one hand I admire actor Eve Ensler for her versatility in performing so many different monologues embodying the experiences of her interviewees - all of them of different ages, backgrounds, and social experiences. She communicates the thoughts of a prostitute, a New York Jew, a woman experiencing the embarrassing sight of a man staring at her vagina, another person who has never had sexual intercourse, and - most interestingly - the experiences of Bosnian women kept as sex slaves during the civil war of the mid-Nineties.

All of these monologues reflect the desire to bring out into the open a subject normally hidden under the wraps of civilized societies - the significance of the vagina, both personally and socially. Customarily perceived as an object of titillation by men, Ensler shows how it means different things to different people - there are those who would quite happily use the c-word to describe it, even though for many people that would be considered thoroughly offensive.

Ensler is an accomplished performer; we see her backstage in this film, as well as hearing extracts from some of her interviewees who are brave enough to recall their experiences on camera. Ensler herself enjoys keeping an audience amused, and can readily adopt different personae.

On the other hand, there is something almost too controlled about her stage persona. We can admire her technique, but we never feel that she inhabits the roles she plays. Consequently there is a strong sense of mimicry about THE VAGINA MONOLOGUES; rather like a western colonialist, Ensler speaks for her interviewees rather than encouraging them to speak for themselves. This is especially true of her monologue when she impersonates the Bosnian women, which is mediated through Ensler's western consciousness rather than making an attempt to empathize with a culturally distinct experience.

THE VAGINA MONOLOGUES is an entertaining piece, but we can't help but think that it is has been deliberately cleaned, sanitized, and oriented towards the tastes of middle-class Broadway audiences rather than embodying the experiences of socially diverse people.

The Vagina Monologues is a great concept, but ultimately it just bites off way more than it can chew. On one hand, it tries to be relatable to Western audiences by discussing issues such as tampons, Pap smears, and run-of-the-mill bad sex, which is great. On the other, it goes a little heavy-handed and discusses issues like rape in the developing world and female genital mutilation, which are fine as topics, but can't be addressed so briefly or in conjunction with tampon humour.

The major problem with The Vagina Monologues is really that it tries to force a concept of "global sisterhood" that isn't really organic to its content. Just because female genital mutilation and Pap smears both involve a vagina does not mean the connection between them isn't utterly tenuous, and doesn't mean they should be in the same play.

I wrote more about this here:

http://toohardtofindaurl.blogspot.com/2011/02/vagina-monologues.html

I have a strong suspicion the comments below were written by a man. This show definately isn't for everyone, but to call it revolting only makes Ms. Ensler's point--that there is such a ridiculous stigma and mystery attached to a woman's sexuality. Men talk freely and frequently about their equipment, I find it amusing that the idea of a woman discussing hers is considered so tasteless.

It didn't leave me wanting to start a revolution--I didn't feel like marching in a parade after seeing this, I didn't want to shout VAGINA from the rooftops...instead, I enjoyed some often hysterical, sometimes tragic and overall witty dialogue.

And it is funny, there's no way around that. The list of different moans is worth the price of admission alone. It's educational as well--did you know the clitoris is the only organ that serves no purpose other than to give please and contains twice as many nerve endings as the penis? As Ms. Ensler says, "Why want a handgun when you can have a semiautomatic?"

The Vagina Monologues, both in book and visual form, is one of the most moving experiences of our times. An attempt to enlighten, entertain and to bring a "taboo" out of the shadows. Why women talking about their sexuality should be considered taboo in the first place escapes me but some of the comments here (especially the ones labelling it "disgusting") seem to be written by people still trapped in the 1950s. The Vagina Monologues is a heartfelt celebration of female sexuality and a condemnation of those who attempt to supress it. Alternating between humor (the list of slang names for the vagina) and more disturbing material (the rape material) the film attempts to take in all aspects and attitudes. A compelling achievement.

Until I first experienced The Vagina Monologues one very late night on HBO, I was mostly indifferent to my role as a woman on this planet. Being 16 and plagued by the preoccupations of boys and school I never really took the time to understand the meaning and beauty of being a member of such a wonderful sex.

My views on the symbolic meaning of my vagina changed when I saw Eve Ensler perform the monologue "I Was In The Room." The monologue describes Ensler's witness of the birth of her granddaughter. Towards the end of the monologue Ensler compares the wonders of the vagina to the heart, "It can live for us, it can bleed for us, it can die for us." I was moved to tears and was motivated to see the rest of the play. It was beautiful and empowering and made me really appreciate my sex. It gave me a new definition of feminism.

Every woman should see this play. It's somewhat educational and easy to relate to and most importantly, it will move you to truly love yourself.

Very funny, witty, uplifting, and empowering without being overbearing, depressing, or militant. I've recommended it to almost all my friends. I was told that it was nothing but "feminazi man bashing" by someone who obviously wasn't paying attention to the message the monologues are trying to send, before I saw this. This is about women having pride in their womanhood, not being a feminist and hating men and blaming men for all the problems in the world. I felt very good after viewing The Vagina Monologues.

Hearing such praise about this play, I decided to watch it when I stumbled across it on cable. I don't see how this "elivates" women and their "struggles" by focusing on the topic at hand. I guess if you have an interest in stories about women's private parts and how it affects their lives, then this is for you. Otherwise, it's rather dull and boring. If anything, I found it a bit degrading.

I inquired with a female friend who also watched this and she thought it was horrible as well. So, it's not just a guy "not getting it".

I've always been a fan of The Vagina Monologues, and even did a few for a speech competition in high school, but I don't think that Eve does the greatest job with some of the monologues. The film version didn't match up to a live production that I saw in my hometown. See The Vagina Monologues live to get the full effect. It feels more universal with 20 women onstage, rather than one.

Ok, so I'll admit I thought it sounded a little 'out there' when I heard about the Vagina Monologues. I've now seen three showings and each time I love it more! Eve Ensler's own renditions of the interviews and monologues are touching, heart wrenching, and hilarious! She interviewed hundreds of women about their vaginas because she was, 'worried about vaginas.'

I have to say, though, that the most touching thing is that this has turned into a act against violence toward women (V-Day is the actual name of the event). One of the monologues is about Bosnian women in rape camps and I'll admit that I have cried every time I saw it performed. These women are empowered and learn to love themselves more through Ensler's work. That alone gives it a 10/10.

From a man's point of view - I thought Eve Ensler (posing as a comedienne) was clearly a Feminist-Nazi seething with total penis-envy.

As I patiently sat through Ensler's endless rantings & ravings in "The Vagina Monologues", I couldn't believe how annoyingly anal this woman was about her chosen subject of discussion.

Since Ensler never once (in all of her 200 hundred interviews) asked even one, single man his honest opinion about a vagina, I'm quite convinced that this abrasive woman was a total man-hater with a venomous ax to grind against my specific gender.

More than once Ensler made it crystal clear that she blamed men (of course) as being the #1 reason why so many woman have a dysfunctional attitude about sex, orgasm and their vaginas.

In conclusion - I think that it's about time for some really sharp-witted dude to create a live show called "The Penis Monologues" in order to gloat over his pecker the same way that Ensler has gloated over her vagina. And, hopefully, that would be sufficient enough to counter the barbed-wire sting of Ensler's politically incorrect "Vagina Monologues".

I recently saw this show performed locally, and I was amazed. Of course, people thought that I, being "a bit young" for this show, wouldn't understand it. This is completely wrong. It has to do with maturity, not age. I thought this show was extremely well done, and it was very empowering. Some of the monologues made me laugh, others made me cry. There were actually a good number of men there, and most of them cried too. It was very emotional, humorous, moving, and an overall great experience. I highly reccommend this show to all mature people of either sex.

This movie is incredibly important. After reading bad reviews given by mostly men, I was a little reluctant to watch it. Now I'm glad that I didn't let these other people's opinions make up my mind for me. This movie touches on subject matter so untouched, taboo, and personal that it is seriously important. I would advise that those with vaginas will probably enjoy and understand this film much more than those without. This film made me laugh really hard and also cry really hard. It makes you wonder why this subject matter is so taboo and untouched. Eve Ensler is a remarkable woman.

Please don't think that you need to be a 'riot grrl' or 'womyn' to enjoy this film, you just need to be someone who cares about the issues going on with women today as well as in the past. I highly recommend this movie to those strong in heart and soul.

Eve Ensler's Vagina Monologues has had a lot of press, good and bad, since she first compiled her interviews into an entertaining, celebratory, moving, and thoughtful show. What's wrong with talking about something half the population have? What's the stigma here? Ou of this became V-day, against domestic violence and for the protection of women. If it takes a few monologues that make the sensitive uncomfortable to put women on the agenda again in a world where violence against women is often ignored or regarded as trivial, then it is all for the good. And what woman hasn't thought about most of the issues in Ensler's work, even if she's never said it? The film version is a good record of a brave piece of theatre, but to get the full effect see a mixed cast, see a local performance, just don't dismiss it.

This was one of the most difficult things I ever had to sit through. For the first fifteen minutes all I did was squirm in my seat and read my program. I couldn't believe what I was hearing.

Then, after awhile, I started to pay more attention to what was being said rather than the words that were being spoken. This play is not about feminism or man-hating; it is about being a woman, embracing what makes women different from men. Many of the points made are very heavy handed, many others are sappy and sentimental, others are strange and a little scary. Eve Ensler used these delivery methods to get through our 'conservative Americanism'. She had to. This country, despite its lack-luster efforts, is still one of the most sexually repressed places in the developed world. We don't like to talk about sex in any serious context; we won't let safe sex be taught and promoted in schools, we still have double standards on promiscuity, the list goes on and on. Sex in the US is kept in the bedroom, the Legislative Branch of the State Government, the Executive Branch of the National Government, and in dirty jokes and sitcom cliches. This play aims to change all that. It is a small step, but a step none the less.

See this play. If you can't see it, read it. It will make you uncomfortable. It will probably gross you out in places. And, most importantly, it will make you think about things you didn't know you could.

I've always wanted to see and I got my chance on VDay- thanks to HBO. I sat for little over an hour, and during that hour I was moved. I was so moved that at one point I couldn't tell if I was laughing or crying. The stories are so compelling that it feels that you know- that you can understand just what she's talking about.

Eve Ensler's "The Vagina Monologues" tears down the walls of disillusionment that plagues the American cultures' view of women and sex. Her stories of rape, lesbianism, and self-discovery clearly illuminate what we all have been taught to view as ill-mannered and dirty.

Finally something that the female race can hold up and shout out as "MINE!" and feel connected.

This movie was excellent. I love Eve Ensler, she is my favorite female playwright. This is an important movie, it reminded me of the importance of my own "vagina". It shows how us women are just as important as men and that we can do just as many things as them. Even though there were those moments of sad traumatic stories about abuse and rape, there are more happy stories of pleasure and good, thank God. Those critics out there who call it trash need to wake up and give people and things a chance. "You can't judge a book by it's cover". Kudos to Eve Ensler. Two Thumbs Way Up!

Note: I saw this play and after I saw it I felt stronger not only as a woman but also as an individual.

I am shocked that a third of the reviews written were negative. The Vagina Monologues, while overtly from a feminist viewpoint, are anything but abrasive to men. In fact, I've known more than one male who has been converted to thinking "maybe there might be something to this whole feminism thing after all" from seeing this play. From my not-so-limited experience, the Vagina Monologues has been one of the most moving pieces of literature for feminism, simply because it is not abrasive to masculinity as other "gyno-centric" pieces may be-- also because it mixes joy and pain to give an accurate depiction of womanhood. To make the entire play funny-- and, yes, very witty and clever-- would be to give a glossed-over version that panders to a certain audience and is no better than it should be. To make it completely serious would alienate the audience and betray the play's purpose, which is to open eyes that might have been shut from lingering fingers of "penile-centric" society.

In all, the Vagina Monologues is one of the best-written and well-performed plays I've ever seen, a classic of feminist literature, one that every adult of the 21st century should see. For those readers who are considering seeing the Vagina Monologues for the first time, you will enjoy it, male or female. Unless, of course, you are already prejudiced against the female gender and those working for its equality.

Not for everyone. Obviously gyno-centric, this film deals with how women "can" feel about themselves or about their sexuality. The juxtaposition of older women with younger women through their answers to the questions is its most interesting feature, both by the differences in attitudes and the similarities. This is a film for women, by women, about women, without much reference to men. The film may serve to induce more confusion and self doubt in males than there already is. It leaves more questions than it answers. This is pure monologue with no real intention to facilitate better communication between the sexes. Very blunt, it can be as abrasive for men as it is romantic for women. This is by no means a clinical study and should be seen for the simple entertainment value that it has. I am a little concerned about the dialogue dismembering and objectifying the female anatomy, because that has been a long standing and common complaint by women against men.

Long, tedious, and boring. This is how I (a man) found it. I do not consider myself a prude in any way, nevertheless, I found myself staring at the countdown timer on the DVD player, waiting for it to end. My original reason for watching it was because of all the hype. While some men may find it entertaining, and even humorous, be warned, most will be ejecting the DVD within the first two minutes unless your curiosity gets the better of you.

Normally, I try to have an open mind to alternative/cutting edge forms of "entertainment", however this goes beyond the limits of the typical male. Overall, this is simply feminine ranting with a comic twist. Call it a hunch, but only women would understand most of the jokes, since men do not have a frame of reference to compare to.

(Men:) Simply put, if you have not gotten into it within the first ten minutes, eject the DVD! It does not get any better. The only good(?) thing about this is that you will find out more about women than you thought possible (or probably wanted to know!)

I had heard of The Vagina Monoluges for many years however, I never had a chance to attend a show, being a busy workr by day, and musician by night.

I am glad I never had the chance to see/hear the monoluges until now, I would only have seen/heard a representation of the original.

Watching this docu/film enabled me to finally see the monolouges, and also hear about the why and whereabouts, these monologues came about in the first place.

It would appear that generally, most are positive about the content, me included. It also appears that ome are not happy, and most of them appear to be men. Tough.

I'm a man, and a hetro man at that. I found it enlightning and, in some cases, very informative. The sad informative part came regarding the Bosnian women. I served in the military at the time, I had colleagues who served in Bosnia, and I never knew of thes rape camps. It makes me ashamed to be a man.

That could be the lesson learned from this very insightful piece of vision. Men are not all powerful. As her last piece portrayed, in all it's beauty.

Men just cannot give birth.