Twice in a Lifetime (1985)

User Rating:

6.5/10   

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:

The orginial title of the script was "Kisses at 50".

Goofs:

Continuity: When Gene Hackman and Brian Denehey's characters are giving Ann Ann Margret a bouquet, the bouquet goes from yellow flowers to white to yellow to white with changing film angles, also the bouquet goes in the wrapper then out, then in then out again.

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:

Twice In A Lifetime

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.