THEY THOUGHT IT WAS LOVE. IT WAS REALLY HEARTBURN.
New York City food writer Rachel Samstat (Meryl Streep) and columnist Mark Forman (Jack Nicholson) fall in love and start a family… but she soon learns that he’s back to his old womanizing ways. Nora Ephron based the novel on her own experiences with Carl Bernstein, which adds a gossipy touch to this entertaining but unremarkable film that takes a humorous look at a painful marriage. The stars are a pleasure to watch, but it’s hard to believe in Nicholson as anything but a hopeless womanizer in this case; his role becomes predictable. Still, irresistibly bittersweet, and Carly Simon’s brilliant “Coming Around Again” plays a key part.
1986-U.S. 108 min. Color. Directed by Mike Nichols. Screenplay, Novel: Nora Ephron. Music, Song: Carly Simon (“Coming Around Again”). Cast: Meryl Streep (Rachel Samstat), Jack Nicholson (Mark Forman), Jeff Daniels (Richard), Maureen Stapleton, Stockard Channing, Richard Masur… Catherine O’Hara, Milos Forman, Mercedes Ruehl, Kevin Spacey.Â
Trivia: Spacey’s film debut. Mandy Patinkin and Dustin Hoffman were allegedly considered as Mark Forman.
