Thursday, 8 March 2018

Irreconcilable Differences (1984 Charles Shyer)

An underrated film, quite painful in the horrible way the parents Ryan O'Neal (himself a questionable father) and the under-appreciated Shelley Long treat their daughter. Sharply scripted by then husband and wife Nancy Meyers (only her second after - in my mind - the inferior Private Benjamin) and Shyer.

The US Olive Films 'special edition' is in the right shape; Bill Fraker's lighting is now honoured respectfully.

Drew was the daughter of John Drew Barrymore and Ildiko Jaid Mako, a Hungarian refugee.... Yes, the story continues. The son of John and Dolores Costello, he claimed to have only seen his father once... was jailed often for drunkenness and drugs and wife abuse and became a recluse....

Well reviewed here, but some additional notes, jottings, if you will:

The way Shelley pulls her socks up before addressing her boyfriend in the motel room (a great scene - does he even say anything?). A lovely touch.
The way Drew lets go of her balloons after drinking a glass of champagne at New Year's Eve party.
"Bad liars - how refreshing."
In the Atlanta filming - "Get the flies back!" (You have to pay attention.)

Ah! So, 'Mamacita' is a generic term of endearment, it seems... ('Mummy'.)




Shot by William A Fraker - Bullitt, Cuckoo's Nest (one of them), Rosemary's Baby, Rancho Deluxe, The President's Analyst, the Day of the Dolphin.

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