Heartburn (1986)

Director:

Mike Nichols

Writers:

Nora Ephron (novel)
Nora Ephron (screenplay)

Release Date:

25 July 1986 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama | Romance

Tagline:

Two Oscar Winning Stars Combine With An Oscar Winning Director [UK Theatrical]

Plot:

Rachel and Mark are both Washington journalists. They meet at a wedding and not long after they get married themselves...

Plot Keywords:

Marriage | Columnist | Pregnancy | Journalist | Pregnant

Awards:

1 win

Cast

Meryl Streep	...	Rachel Samstat
Jack Nicholson	...	Mark Forman
Jeff Daniels	...	Richard
Maureen Stapleton	...	Vera
Stockard Channing	...	Julie Siegel
Richard Masur	...	Arthur Siegel
Catherine O'Hara	...	Betty
Steven Hill	...	Harry Samstat
Milos Forman	...	Dmitri
Mamie Gummer	...	Annie Forman (as Natalie Stern)
Karen Akers	...	Thelma Rice
Aida Linares	...	Juanita
Anna Maria Horsford	...	Della, Harry's Maid
Ron McLarty	...	Det. Andrew O'Brien
Kenneth Welsh	...	Dr. Appel

Runtime:

108 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Argentina:13 | Peru:14 | Iceland:L | South Korea:15 | Australia:M | Chile:18 | Finland:K-12 | France:U | Norway:12 | Singapore:PG | Sweden:11 | UK:15 | USA:R | West Germany:12

Filming Locations:

Alexandria, Virginia, USA

Company:

Paramount Pictures

Trivia:

Jack Nicholson's performance of "Soliloquy" ("My Boy Bill") from Rodgers and Hammerstein's "Carousel" is a nod to writer Nora Ephron's parents, Henry Ephron and Phoebe Ephron, who wrote the screenplay for the 1956 film version of the musical; Henry Ephron also produced Carousel (1956).

Quotes:

Mark Forman: He has an unlisted address.
Rachel Samstat: What are you talking about?
Mark Forman: Oh, well, it's the latest thing.
Rachel Samstat: What kind of person has an unlisted address?
Mark Forman: I'll tell you what kind person. The kind that doesn't want to be dead. The kind people are trying to kill all the time.
Rachel Samstat: Why are you angry at me for?
Mark Forman: I'm not angry at you.
Rachel Samstat: Then what you shouting at me for?
Mark Forman: Because you're the only one that's here.

Movie Connections:

References Carousel (1956)

Soundtrack:

Soliloquy

A lot of fun, but not much plot

I actually enjoyed "Heartburn" quite a bit, and I'm afraid it's because the movie is almost plotless, just a series of charming, colorful events. It seems much more European in concept, and "Heartburn" could maybe have been really great if a European director had filmed it, instead of stagy Mike Nichols. Anyway, I was able to enjoy every scene on its own terms. Almost all the best scenes employ food and eating and a lot of gossip. If you're like-minded, how could you not find this an enjoyable time? And Meryl Streep, whom I think is incredible looking, has never had such radiant-looking skin before. The movie may be a little bit smug, but not nearly as much as other movies that try for something similar.