Adult Comedies with Substance
Heartburn 1986 Based on Nora Ephron’s semi-autobiographical novel about the dissolution of her marriage to Carl Bernstein. (She wrote the screenplay.) Produced and Directed by Mike Nichols. Food writer Rachel Samstat (Meryl Streep) and political journalist, Mark Forman (Jack Nicholson) marry quickly. She moves to Washington and stressfully renovates an old Georgetown house. If it weren’t for her writing, Rachel would probably go crazy in DC society. Just when things are wearing thin, she has a baby. (Band-Aid.)
Suspicious, Rachel discovers many indisputable signs of her husband’s indulging in an ongoing affair. She takes her daughter and ambivalently moves back to New York. Charming Mark wins her back, promising to give up Thelma (Karen Akers). For awhile, the couple seem ok. Rachel has another child, but learns her husband hasn’t kept his word. Nobody wrote humanist funny like Nora Ephron. Also with Stockard Channing, Jeff Daniels, and Milos Foreman. Rent on Amazon Prime.
Broadcast News 1987 Produced, Written and Directed by James L. Brooks. A look at style over substance in broadcast news revolving around an unwitting, romantic triangle. Successful tv news producer, Jane Craig (Holly Hunter) is secretly loved by best friend, writer/reporter, Aaron Altman (Albert Brooks). When sports anchor, Tom Grunick (William Hurt), is promoted to news because of appearance and charm, the friends are appalled at his lack of experience and knowledge.
Jane, however, can’t help but be attracted to the newbe, especially when, aware of his own shortcomings, he asks for her advice. Aaron unsuccessfully declares himself. Before he leaves for a new job, he tells Jane that Tom manipulated an important interview. On the verge of going away with him, she confronts the rising star only to be met with a shrug concerning ethics. Jane walks away. They all meet years later. The film was written for Debra Winger who backed out because of pregnancy. Smart script. Well done. Rent on Amazon Prime.
A Fish Called Wanda 1988 Directed by Charles Crichton, Written by John Cleese. Jamie Lee Curtis (in her femme fatale mode), Kevin Kline (Best Supporting Actor), and Michael Palin are a bumbling gang of diamond thieves who double cross one another and involve lovestruck barrister, Archie Leach (John Cleese using Cary Grant’s real name), in securing missing gems. Full of rich characterization, absurd accents, and sight gags. Yes, there’s a fish. On the set, 78 year-old Crichton wore a T-shirt presented to him by Cleese inscribed “Age and treachery will always overcome youth and skill.” A hoot. Rent on Amazon Prime.
Defending Your Life 1991 Written, directed and starring Albert Brooks. Advertising executive Daniel Miller is in a car accident. He wakes up dead, but groggy, wearing something that looks like a hospital gown, riding a bus to Judgment City (Purgatory). Concept and visuals alone are worth watching this sharply witty film. Each of the recently deceased must defend his life/show that fears have been conquered and/or good deeds done in order to go on, i.e., not be sent back to earth as a baby to try again. Attorney Bob Diamond (Rip Torn) is appointed to defend Daniel, Lena Foster (Lee Grant) to represent the administration.
The hero meets and rapidly falls in love with Julia (Meryl Streep), whose warmth and joie de vie are palpable. She, in turn, responds to his self effacing humor and honesty. Julia lived an exemplary life. Her sessions go very well. Daniel, on the other hand, relives incident after incident where he never seems to grow. The couple spend time together. Brook’s idea of the city is extremely amusing. Feelings swell. Julia will be allowed to go on, while Daniel…the ending is well written and wonderfully staged. Rent on Amazon Prime.
Something’s Gotta Give 2003 Written and directed by Nancy Myers. Successful music executive and womanizer, Harry Sanborn (Jack Nicholson) is dating much younger, Marin Klein (Amanda Peet). One weekend, she takes him to her mother’s (gorgeous) Hamptons house expecting her playwright mother, Erica Barry (Diane Keaton) to be absent. Instead the couple finds Erica and her sister, Zoe (Frances McDormand). Her mother is surprised, but liberal. The visitors stay.
During foreplay, Harry has a heart attack. At a local hospital, he’s attended by an attractive young doctor, Julian Mercer (Keanu Reeves), who, in the reverse of Marin and Harry, has an eye for Erica. In order to keep him local while he recovers, Harry is released to Erica’s home. The two come awkwardly together. Meanwhile, Julian starts to court Erica. The doctor is sincere, Harry bound to old habits, until… Oh, and Eric writes a play about it all. What follows is warm, droll and relatively plausible. Fine script, good acting. Pretty to look at. Rent on Amazon Prime.
Stranger Than Fiction 2006 Lord Byron: “Tis strange—but true; for truth is always strange, Stranger than fiction.” Directed by Marc Forster. An extremely original, lesser known gem and the only time I’ve ever liked Will Ferrell. Writer Zach Helm named each of the film’s chief characters after a well known scientist or scientifically influential artist: Crick, Pascal, Eiffel, Escher, and Hilbert.
Mild mannered Harold Crick (Ferrell), an Internal Revenue agent, begins to hear a woman’s voice narrating his life as he lives it. One day, the voice says, “little did he know that this simple, seemingly innocuous act would result in his imminent death.” Harold panics. Under the impression he’s hearing a book, the hero consults literature professor, Jules Hilbert (Dustin Hoffman) who questions possible source material. Harold audits anti-government baker, Ana Pascal (Maggie Gyllenhaal) and stumbles into love.
In another part of the city, eccentric, popular author, Karen Eiffel (Emma Thompson) has writer’s block and is sent Penny Escher (Queen Latifah) by her publisher to speed things along. All of Karen’s protagonists die. She’s the voice in Harold’s head, the Sybil of his death. When he discovers her identity, he telephones (she’s shocked and alarmed), then shows up at her door to plead for his life. Unfortunately, not killing the character would compromise a piece of brilliant literature. Even Harold agrees. Love the idea? So did I. Rent on Amazon Prime.
It’s Complicated 2009 Written and Directed by Nancy Myers. Successful bakery owner, Jane Adler (Meryl Streep) is the single mother of three adult children. Ten years after divorce predicated by husband Jake Adler (Alec Baldwin) leaving her for the younger Agness, (Lake Bell), Jane finds herself having an enjoyable affair with him. “Finds herself” is the relevant term here. No one could be more surprised. Jake’s married life is not what he expected.
Simultaneously, while renovating her house, Jane meets divorced architect Adam Schaffer (Steve Martin) who tentatively begins to court her, but keeps running into Adam. The kids eventually get wind of what’s going on. Emotionally sophisticated, well acted, fun. Everything in Nancy Myers’ movies looks great, here – house, bakery, even clothing. Rent on Amazon Prime.
Top photo: Bigstock
