Only When I Laugh (1981)

User Rating:

6.1/10   

Director:

Glenn Jordan

Writers:

Neil Simon (screenplay)
Neil Simon (play)

Release Date:

23 September 1981 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama

Tagline:

It'll make you laugh...'til you cry.

Plot:

A boozy Broadway actress (Marsha Mason) comes out of a 12-week cure to face the problems of her best friends (James Coco...

Plot Keywords:

Based On Play

Awards:

Nominated for 3 Oscars. Another 2 wins & 5 nominations

Cast

Marsha Mason	...	Georgia
Kristy McNichol	...	Polly
James Coco	...	Jimmy
Joan Hackett	...	Toby
David Dukes	...	David
John Bennett Perry	...	Lou: an Actor
Guy Boyd	...	Boxing Fan in Bar
Ed Moore	...	Dr. Komack
Byron Webster	...	Tom
Peter Coffield	...	Mr. Tarloff
Mark Schubb	...	Adam Kasabian
Ellen La Gamba	...	Receptionist
Venida Evans	...	Nurse Garcia
John Vargas	...	Manuel
Nancy Nagler	...	Heidi

Also Known As:

It Hurts Only When I Laugh
Neil Simon's Only When I Laugh

Runtime:

120 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Metrocolor)

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Certification:

Iceland:L | Australia:M | Argentina:13 | Chile:14 | Finland:K-12 | USA:R

Filming Locations:

New York City, New York, USA

Company:

Columbia Pictures Corporation

Trivia:

Film composer David Shire had lyrics written to his lively main theme by Richard Maltby, Jr. and the song "Only When I Laugh" was recorded by Brenda Lee. For reasons unknown, the song was not included in the film. However, MCA Records released it as a 7-inch single with the label credit "From the Columbia Motion Picture".

Quotes:

Georgia: Say it like it's on the Merv Griffin show dummy!

Movie Connections:

Features Gilda (1946)

Soundtrack:

HEART

Marsha Mason's finest film performance in an absorbing comedy-drama.

Those disappointed in this film because it is not the typical laugh a minute Neil Simon comedy are similar to those who don't like Woody Allen's INTERIORS (his best film) because he chose to create a drama, rather than what the public expected, another amiable comedy. They "expect" but they don't "experience." Mr. Simon also wrote another essentially dramatic play, CHAPTER TWO, which was similarly criticized. ONLY WHEN I LAUGH is adapted from his serious play, THE GINGERBREAD LADY, which starred Maureen Stapleton on stage. Marsha Mason earned her fourth Oscar nom for her work here and should have won the Oscar for my money. It is not only her best performance on film, carefully balancing a line between drama and comedy, but it was heads above any of the other four nominees that year. Some years there is no justice where the Academy is concerned. Precariously trying to balance a stalled acting career with the nurturing of needy friends and a daughter who requires a full-time mother, Ms. Mason's Georgia is also an alcoholic, desperately trying to escape reality. This is a complex role and a complex performance, full of detail and played on many levels. I have never seen the mood swings of alcoholism better played than here in Ms. Mason's work - the manic euphoria and the bitter despair. It is a triumph and a career cap. Equally fine are Mr. Simon's incisive character writing and the fine justly Oscar-nominated supporting performances of James Coco and sadly doomed Joan Hackett (who won a Golden Globe Award for her work here). Kristy McNichol is superb as well and rightly should have been Oscar nominated in support. Once again Ms. Mason shows how adept she is at playing mothers - the relationship she establishes with Ms. McNichol is wonderful to behold. Oddly enough, in this film it is the mother who is more the child and the daughter who is parentified. All in all, an absorbing and satisfying film about people you come to care for - one of Mr. Simon's best and Ms. Mason's pinnacle.