Twice in a Lifetime (1985)

A middle-aged steelworker is content with his job and his family, but feels that something is missing in his life. On his 50th birthday, he stops in at a local bar for a drink to celebrate.... See full summary »

Director:

Bud Yorkin

Writer:

Colin Welland

Stars:

Gene Hackman, Ann-Margret, Ellen Burstyn

Nominated for 1 Oscar. Another 2 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Gene Hackman	...	Harry MacKenzie
Ann-Margret	...	Audrey Minelli
Ellen Burstyn	...	Kate MacKenzie
Amy Madigan	...	Sunny
Ally Sheedy	...	Helen
Stephen Lang	...	Keith
Darrell Larson	...	Jerry
Brian Dennehy	...	Nick
Chris Parker	...	Tim
Rachel Street	...	Joanne
Kevin Bleyer	...	Chris
Micole Mercurio	...	Betty
Doris Hugo Drewien	...	Millie
Lee Corrigan	...	Milos
Ralph Steadman	...	Mike

Storyline

A middle-aged steelworker is content with his job and his family, but feels that something is missing in his life. On his 50th birthday, he stops in at a local bar for a drink to celebrate. He finds himself attracted to the young, very sexy barmaid--and, to his surprise, he finds that she is also very attracted to him.

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Plot Keywords:

midlife crisis | reflection | daughter | infidelity | love | 

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Genres:

Drama | Romance

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Certificate:

R

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

23 October 1985 (USA)

Also Known As:

Kisses at 50

Filming Locations:

Seattle, Washington, USA

Box Office

Gross:

$5,674,938 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Bud Yorkin Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

111 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Bud Yorkin originally wanted a studio to finance and release the film but none were interested. He raised money independently by using his share of Tandem Productions, the TV production company he founded with Norman Lear, as collateral, made the film and released it himself.

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Goofs

Kate reluctantly agrees to have her ears pierced, but the actress (Ellen Burstyn) playing her already has prominent holes in her ear lobes.

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Quotes

Harry: It's been a long time since I haven't known for certain what a day had in store for me

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Connections

Referenced in At the Movies: Power/Down and Out in Beverly Hills/Hannah and Her Sisters/The Best of Times (1986)

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Soundtracks

"Smokin' Violin"
Written by Gordon Terry (uncredited) and Royce G. Clark (uncredited)
Performed by Gordon Terry and The Tennessee Guitars
Courtesy of Plantation Records

User Reviews

Well acted but ridiculously predictable

Harry MacKenzie (Gene Hackman) leaves wife Kate (Ellen Burstyn) for waitress Audrey Minelli (Ann-Margret). This causes huge complications with his adult children Sunny (Amy Madigan) and Helen (Ally Sheedy). Stephen Lang and Brian Dennehy throw in strong supporting performances.

This is well made and everything...but this has been done to death before and this adds nothing new. Aside from some swearing (the R rating for this is not deserved) this plays like a made for TV movie. I knew what was coming constantly all through the movie and quickly tired of it. It doesn't even have a conclusion! It just sort of stops. (One of my friends said, "I can't say if I like it or not until I see the end!") All the acting was great--especially Burstyn, Ann-Margret and Madigan (she was Oscar nominated for this one) but all the great acting in the world can't overcome the predictable storyline. If you're a sucker for Lifetime movies or predictable family dramas this is right up your alley. This came and went quickly in 1985 and is now (rightfully) forgotten. I believe Ann-Margret was asked about this a few years back in an interview and she couldn't remember doing it! That should tell you something. I give it a 6.