Postcards from the Edge (1990)

Running Time: 101 mins
Genre: Comedy
Estimated Gross (USA): $37, 963,281

Director: Mike Nichols
Stars: Meryl Streep, Shirley MacLaine, Dennis Quaid

Postcards from the Edge is based on the semi-biographical novel written by Carrie Fisher (Princess Leia for those who don't know) in 1987. Fisher herself then adapted the book into a screenplay which was directed by Mike Nichols.

The plot revolves around Suzanne Vale (Streep) a movie actress who is suffering from a drug habit. The film starts with her having an overdose and being rushed to hospital by a one night stand (Quaid). She wakes up to find that her mother has enrolled her in a rehab program. Once released she is told that to continue working the insurance company want her to live with a responsible adult, ideally a parent. So Suzanne finds herself living back at home with her mother Doris Mann (MacLaine) herself an ageing movie star from the 50's with her own set of issues and insecurities. This is not good news for Suzanne who has struggled for years to get out from underneath her mother, she feels like a child when in her mother's company and the relationship is quite a strained one. She is also trying to deal with her love life which is turned upside down in a flash by Dennis Quaid's movie producer who comes back into her life and causes chaos. There are 2 brilliant cameos from Gene Hackman as a film director and Annette Bening as an actress, (coincidently Bening and MacLaine would soon become sisters in-law after this movie was released as Bening married MacLaine's brother Warren Beatty.)

The film is definitely at it's best when showing the world of Hollywood, there is a feel for the harshness and ruthlessness of the film-making world and it is portrayed very well here. The film centres completely around Meryl Streep who as usual is completely hidden beneath her character. Shirley MacLaine is also fantastic as Doris Mann, she shows how unrealistic she can be and the selfishness that has come from having a career in the spotlight and everyone looking and talking about her. She has an alcohol addiction herself but unlike Suzanne is unwilling to accept that she has a problem. Doris is in competition with her daughter and in a heart to heart near the end of the movie (one of the best scenes) she admits that she is jealous that her daughter has it all to do and her experience is nearly over.

What is truly interesting about this film is how much of it is fact and how much is fiction. It is no secret that Carrie Fisher is the product of 2 famous stars from the 50's (singing sensation Eddie Fisher and Actress Debbie Reynolds) and it's also no secret that she has battled with addiction for most of her life. The character of Doris Mann has many similarities to Debbie Reynolds, who actually wanted to play the part in the film but was reportedly told by Nichols she wasn't right for it (how ridiculous right). These similarities are all the more evident to those fans who have read or watched anything to do with Reynolds and Fisher. So it makes those of us in the know very curious as to which events actually happened.

However even if you are not knowledgeable  about the stars behind the characters this is still a fun comedic drama with 2 of the industries best performers. 7/10 for this adaptation.