Monday 2 January 2023

Only When I Laugh (1981 Glenn Jordan)

A Neil Simon play, 'The Gingerbread Lady', adapted for the screen by himself, is a great vehicle for mother-and-daughter Marsha Mason and Kirsty McNichol. Mason is an alcoholic actor just out from rehab who invites her daughter (or the other way round) to move in. Things go well until.. To complicate matters, her ex has written a play about their life together and he wants her to take the starring role. 

James Coco and Joan Hackett are supportive friends. Quite strong stuff with the usual helping of smart dialogue. Strangely little known, though won Oscar nominations for Mason, Coco and Hackett.

Two hour comedy-drama is photographed in New York by David M Walsh, scored by David Shire.





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