Twice in a Lifetime (1985)

Director:

Bud Yorkin

Writer:

Colin Welland (writer)

Release Date:

23 October 1985 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Romance

Plot:

A middle-aged steelworker is content with his job and his family, but feels that something is missing in his life...

Plot Keywords:

Beautiful Woman | Slice Of Life | Love Triangle | May December Romance | Seattle Seahawks

Awards:

Nominated for Oscar. Another 2 nominations

Cast

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

Runtime:

111 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

UK:15 (video rating) | Australia:M | Argentina:13 | Chile:14 | Finland:K-12 | Sweden:7 | USA:R

Filming Locations:

Seattle, Washington, USA

Company:

Bud Yorkin Productions

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.

Goofs:

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

Quotes:

Sunny: Hey Dad. This is Kate. Your wife.
Harry: I sure as hell know who my wife is.
Sunny: I sure as hell would like to know who this is.
Harry: That's Miss Minelli, if you must know and in case it's any of your business which it is not.
Sunny: Which I'm here to tell you it is.

Soundtrack:

Smokin' Violin

Powerful actors' piece

At the beginning of "Twice in a Lifetime", when the McKenzie family is sitting around the dining room table celebrating, Ellen Burstyn gives long-time husband Gene Hackman a kiss, but nobody notices how he recoils a bit from her affection or how shaky his smile appears. Here is a well-made dramatic piece for a group of terrific actors, asking us to look at all sides of a divorce, offering only a few pat answers but mostly moving sequences. Hackman quickly falls into a loving relationship--which can be seen as possibly too convenient--but the woman in question is Ann-Margret at her most vivacious, so we can forgive the formula. Burstyn's character goes through the standard changes of the jilted wife, yet the talents of this wonderful actress helps transcend the clichés of such a role (she even gives it subtext and meaning; a movie about her character alone would be worth-watching). Amy Madigan's angry daughter is an overwrought creation, a one-note role, and the way she's written and directed we don't see any nuances--just her irritation. Still, many fine ingredients are included here, and the supporting players are wonderful (particularly Brian Dennehy, always good, and Ally Sheedy). Alternately tough and tender, the emotions played out at the finale are concrete--they make sense--giving this film the edge over similar pictures such as "Smash Palace" and "Shoot The Moon". *** from ****