"I do not like this side of you."
"I'm not a box with sides. This is it! One side fits all!"
Not a story I would normally gravitate towards: the entitled daughter of a Hollywood actor, growing up with drug problems and "mommy issues," based on the semi-autobiographical novel by Carrie Fisher, daughter of Debbie Reynolds. Here I was won over by the powerhouse performances from Meryl Streep and Shirley MacLaine in the lead roles, and continuing down the line through a very deep cast (Gene Hackman, Richard Dreyfuss, Dennis Quaid, Rob Reiner, CCH Pounder, Annette Bening), as well Fisher's script, which tugs on all the right emotional chords.
Guys, here's a fun fact that I'm not sure anyone has observed before: this Meryl Streep is an incredible actor! Seriously, I've never seen as much authenticity oozing out of every little moment, every gesture. And in this film you get to hear her drop the F bomb a few times as well as belt out a couple of songs, one written by Shel Silverstein (what!). It's a brilliant performance, and it's to MacLaine's credit that she isn't completely overshadowed, and in fact more than holds her own.
Mike Nichols keeps this story moving and Carrie Fisher's screenplay wisely doesn't wallow in self-pity or assigning blame, instead sprinkling humor into what could have been a dark film. I also found there was a universal element to the parental dynamic, as I recall my father telling his children the exact same thing as Carrie Fisher does here, that "you only remember the bad stuff." This is one that I found had aged well despite subject matter that might not have for more than one reason, e.g. The characters too privileged, not a deep enough dive into the recovery from addiction. In any event, I really enjoyed it, and if nothing else, think the performances alone make it worth checking out.
Not a story I would normally gravitate towards: the entitled daughter of a Hollywood actor, growing up with drug problems and "mommy issues," based on the semi-autobiographical novel by Carrie Fisher, daughter of Debbie Reynolds. Here I was won over by the powerhouse performances from Meryl Streep and Shirley MacLaine in the lead roles, and continuing down the line through a very deep cast (Gene Hackman, Richard Dreyfuss, Dennis Quaid, Rob Reiner, CCH Pounder, Annette Bening), as well Fisher's script, which tugs on all the right emotional chords.
Guys, here's a fun fact that I'm not sure anyone has observed before: this Meryl Streep is an incredible actor! Seriously, I've never seen as much authenticity oozing out of every little moment, every gesture. And in this film you get to hear her drop the F bomb a few times as well as belt out a couple of songs, one written by Shel Silverstein (what!). It's a brilliant performance, and it's to MacLaine's credit that she isn't completely overshadowed, and in fact more than holds her own.
Mike Nichols keeps this story moving and Carrie Fisher's screenplay wisely doesn't wallow in self-pity or assigning blame, instead sprinkling humor into what could have been a dark film. I also found there was a universal element to the parental dynamic, as I recall my father telling his children the exact same thing as Carrie Fisher does here, that "you only remember the bad stuff." This is one that I found had aged well despite subject matter that might not have for more than one reason, e.g. The characters too privileged, not a deep enough dive into the recovery from addiction. In any event, I really enjoyed it, and if nothing else, think the performances alone make it worth checking out.