Just Between Friends

Starring:Mary Tyler Moore, Julie Payne, Beverly Sanders, Salome Jens, Ted Danson, Read Morgan, Christine Lahti, Sam Waterston, Susan Rinell, Timothy Gibbs, Diane Stilwell, Jim McKrell, Chet Collins, Castulo Guerra, Mark Blum, Terri Hanauer, Helene Winston, Gary Riley, Leda Siskind, Joshua Harris
Director: Allan Burns
Studio: MGM (Video & DVD)
Product Type: DVD

Average customer rating:

Oddly Entertaining
A Cut Above What You'd Expect
Sudsy but ultimately satisfying.....
Good chick flick
Finally, an accurate portrayal of grief . . .

Just Between Friends
Starring: Mary Tyler Moore , Julie Payne , Beverly Sanders , Salome Jens , and Ted Danson
Director: Allan Burns
Manufacturer: MGM (Video & DVD)
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B0000V492E
Release Date: 2004-01-13

Description

OscarÂ(r) nominees* Mary Tyler Moore (Ordinary People) and Christine Lahti ("ChicagoHope") give "virtuoso performances" (Ms.) as newfound friends in this compelling tale that "makes you laugh, cry and works you over emotionally" (Orange Coast) through to its gripping and heartfelt end. Holly Davis (Moore) seems to have it allthe stylish house, the perfectkids, the devoted husband (Ted Danson). But it takes an unlikely friendship with Sandy (Lahti), a wisecracking, chain-smoking career woman, to show her that life is never what it seems to be. But in the face of tragedy, when she needs Sandy the most, Holly discovers a dark secret that not only tiesthe two friends together but will also shake their friendship to its foundation! *Moore: Actress, Ordinary People (1980); Lahti: Supporting Actress, Swing Shift (1984)

Customer Reviews:

Oddly Entertaining.......2006-05-29

Imagine an Eighties update on a Forties "women's picture". . . but with Laura Petrie or Mary Richards as the long-suffering heroine. . .and Sam (Ted Danson) Malone as the cheating spouse!

Mary Tyler Moore is spunkily stalwart as the wronged wife but wise-cracking Christine Lahti steals the picture as the other woman. (Guess Valerie Harper was busy.) Plays like a jazzercise-era remake of the old Bette Davis/Mary Astor tear-jerker "The Great Lie." Movie never makes up its mind whether it's a comedy or a drama but is oddly entertaining nevertheless.

A Cut Above What You'd Expect.......2004-04-04

This film, made in 1986, is an enjoying flick. I don't agree that the musical score is overbearing or way out of date. It fits the time period well.

Moore and the rest of the cast do a fine job. I especially enjoyed Moore, as she channels the personality of Laura Petrie from the classic Dick Van Dyke show. Christine Lahti plays Sandy, a woman who has a bit more in common with Moore and her husband, played by Ted Danson, than she thinks. The dinner party where they all meet (together with a very young-looking Sam Waterson) is quite amusing. It's also fun to see Waterson play a character very much different from his very somber, deliberate role in 'Law & Order'.

Then tragedy strikes, and the two women confront each other in a new way.

(I also want to mention how attractive and fit Ms. Moore looked in this role. She was 50 when she made this film, and in her stint as an aerobics instructor, she looked 20 years younger.)

Overall, an enjoyable film.

Recommended.

Sudsy but ultimately satisfying............2004-03-07

Sudsy soap opera is saved by the touching performances of the leads, Mary Tyler Moore and Christine Lahti. Produced my Moore's production company MTM, this modern tale reminiscent of best of 1930s and 1940 melodrama actually transcends the gimmicky premise. Implausible as most soaps of this genre, JUST BETWEEN FRIENDS has a feminist edge not often seen in classic Hollywood. These kinds of "dramedies" rely less on writing skill and more on acting chops and manipulative tear dropping. While the performances are top notch, unforunately the sob elements are less effective. Moore, coming off of her ORDINARY PEOPLE Oscar nomination 5 years before plays the role with conviction...rather like her Mary Richards persona thrown into this maudlin predicament. Her foil is wise cracking, but ultimately lonely Christine Lahti, who was fresh from her nomination for SWING SHIFT. Writer/Director Allan Burns (The Mary Tyler Moore Show) attempts to infuse the proceedings with a humor that works some of the time. The tear jerking elements simply did not work for this reviewer. Too little time was spent leading up to the denoument that it comes across more as an afterthought than an entirely effective plot device. Another weight on the proceedings is the awkward and sometimes obtrusive score by Patrick Williams. In 2004 it comes across as terribly dated and a little obnoxious. Several dramatic moments are eclipsed by this overbearing score. Whats odd about JUST BETWEEN FRIENDS is its ability to rise above its faults and become an entertaining little film. Perhaps one could call this a "guilty pleasure". Its not a classic by any means, but at least an interesting time capsule of 1980s feminism and family.

MGM has presented this film in both Widescreen and Full Screen formats on opposite sides of the DVD. MGM presents these with beautiful transfers. Film grain is not a big problem and the color correction comes off a little orange with the skin tones...but overall a nice presentation. The soundtrack comes off beautifully, with dialogue easy to understand and no noticeable distortion. For a mono mix, this actually has some range and depth which was a surprise. The only supplement is the original theatrical trailer...which is actually a delight to watch. For once a trailer that doesn't give everything away!

For the price, this is a great deal. MGM has built quite a reputation for releasing their catalog to DVD. JUST BETWEEN FRIENDS, a minor 1980s film has been given a careful treatment by MGM.

Good chick flick.......2004-01-19

I enjoyed it.Explores the issue of loyalty and infidelity and the impact on a friendship.

Finally, an accurate portrayal of grief . . ........2000-06-16

A wonderful study in the dynamics of grief, love, friendship, and betrayal. (Keep a tissue handy.) At times, predictable, yet rings very true.

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