Year of Release: 1990
Director: Mike Nichols
Starring: Meryl Streep, Shirley MacLaine, Dennis Quaid, Gene Hackman, Annette Bening, Richard Dreyfuss, Robin Bartlett, Conrad Bain, Rob Reiner, Mary Wickes, Simon Callow, CCH Pounder, Barbara Garrick, Gary Morton
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Score out of ten (whole numbers only): 7
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Synopsis and Review:
After ending the 80s with two distinct but equally well received films, namely "Biloxi Blues" and the Academy Award magnet, "Working Girl", director Mike Nichols started the 90s with another award winning caliber film. The film is an adaptation of the novel by Carrie Fisher, who is also responsible for the screenplay, and follows the tribulations of Suzanne Vale, an actress going through a rough patch in Hollywood. Suzanne has substance abuse problems, and finds herself in rehab, due to the insistence of her mother, a well known actress from Hollywood's golden days, Doris Mann. The relationship between the two women is strained, and matters get further complicated, when Suzanne is forced to live with her for the duration of a new film she's about to start. Susanne attends her AA meetings, but when she meets the handsome Jack Faulkner, her hopes of staying focused on her well being are somewhat compromised.
Mike Nichols films always primed for allowing characters to exist as more than two dimensional archetypes, allowing for actors to flex their muscles and create interesting and distinct performances. "Postcards from the Edge" is a great example of his craft - the film is built around the process of self awareness and path into adulthood of a woman, who has lived a sheltered and privileged life, but does so with nuance, humor, tackling difficult issues, without falling into schmaltz or kitchen sink drama. The screenplay is of course peppered with references and insider knowledge of what actually entails to live and work in Hollywood, but to Carrie Fisher's credit, she's more interested in Suzanne's point of view, and how her jaded outlook on that reality, actually makes everything look superficial. The film features some fantastic performances, namely from Meryl Streep, who runs the gamut and is truly phenomenal, but also Shirley MacLaine, Annette Bening, Gene Hackman and Mary Wickes. The cinematography from Michael Ballhaus is impeccable, as is the score from Carly Simon. A good film always worth watching and revisiting.
Mike Nichols films always primed for allowing characters to exist as more than two dimensional archetypes, allowing for actors to flex their muscles and create interesting and distinct performances. "Postcards from the Edge" is a great example of his craft - the film is built around the process of self awareness and path into adulthood of a woman, who has lived a sheltered and privileged life, but does so with nuance, humor, tackling difficult issues, without falling into schmaltz or kitchen sink drama. The screenplay is of course peppered with references and insider knowledge of what actually entails to live and work in Hollywood, but to Carrie Fisher's credit, she's more interested in Suzanne's point of view, and how her jaded outlook on that reality, actually makes everything look superficial. The film features some fantastic performances, namely from Meryl Streep, who runs the gamut and is truly phenomenal, but also Shirley MacLaine, Annette Bening, Gene Hackman and Mary Wickes. The cinematography from Michael Ballhaus is impeccable, as is the score from Carly Simon. A good film always worth watching and revisiting.
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