Postcards from the Edge (1990)

User Rating:

6.4/10   

Director:

Mike Nichols

Writers (WGA):

Carrie Fisher (book)
Carrie Fisher (screenplay)

Release Date:

12 September 1990 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama

Tagline:

Having a wonderful time, wish I were here.

Plot:

Substance-addicted Hollywood actress Suzanne Vale is on the skids. After a spell at a detox centre her...

Plot Keywords:

Mother | Daughter | Hollywood | Actress | Dysfunctional Family

Awards:

Nominated for 2 Oscars. Another 2 wins & 7 nominations

Cast

Meryl Streep	...	Suzanne Vale
Shirley MacLaine	...	Doris Mann
Dennis Quaid	...	Jack Faulkner
Gene Hackman	...	Lowell Kolchek
Richard Dreyfuss	...	Doctor Frankenthal
Rob Reiner	...	Joe Pierce
Mary Wickes	...	Grandma
Conrad Bain	...	Grandpa
Annette Bening	...	Evelyn Ames
Simon Callow	...	Simon Asquith
Gary Morton	...	Marty Wiener
CCH Pounder	...	Julie Marsden (as C.C.H. Pounder)
Sidney Armus	...	Sid Roth
Robin Bartlett	...	Aretha
Barbara Garrick	...	Carol

Runtime:

101 min | Canada:95 min (edited version)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

Iceland:L | Canada:14A (Ontario - 2006) | Argentina:13 | Australia:M | Chile:14 | Finland:S | France:U | Germany:12 | Sweden:11 | UK:15 | USA:R | Singapore:PG | Canada:A

Filming Locations:

Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

Columbia Pictures Corporation

Trivia:

The cop movie Suzanne works on, "LA Beat", is a reference to Fisher's Hollywood Vice Squad (1986).

Goofs:

Miscellaneous: Lowell tells Suzanne that none of the airport scene can be saved because it was shot without any cutaways. However, the scene is obviously edited as the characters jump about 3 feet farther from the camera as they walk from past a pole between the ticket counter and the passport control desk.

Quotes:

Doris Mann: So you said you have a ranch?
Jack Faulkner: Yeah, out in Malibu.
Doris Mann: If all ranchers looked like you, there wouldn't be many crops.
Jack Faulkner: Depends on what you're raising.
Doris Mann: Certainly not doubts!
[both laugh, Suzanne enters]
Doris Mann: Oh, I was just coming to get you, your little friend is here.
Suzanne Vale: Can I speak to you for a moment in private?
Doris Mann: Excuse me, my daughter wants to speak to me.
[both step into alcove]
[...]

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Vampires and Other Stereotypes (1994) (V)

Soundtrack:

From This Moment On

Wonderfully Nutty

Meryl Streep is just about the best actress around and this, I think, is one of my favourite performances by her. (so far). Why? Because she is not playing her usual self -- she is a total nut case in this film --- neurotic and downright hilarious. Much like 2002's "Adaption" she is playing against her normal dramatic type and is a wonderful comedienne -- a role she should play more often --- actresses usually playing actresses usually are not memorable --- this is a "keeper" role --- and what a voice. (had she not been an actress, she could give most singers these days a run for their money!) Do rent it and laugh --- it is worth the trip to the video store!