Just Between Friends (1986)

Holly and Sandy strike up an instant friendship; they don't know however that they have more in common than they'd like. When tragedy strikes, their relationship is tested.

Director:

Allan Burns

Writer:

Allan Burns

Stars:

Mary Tyler Moore, Julie Payne, Ted Danson

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Mary Tyler Moore	...	Holly Davis
Julie Payne	...	Karen
Beverly Sanders	...	Judy
Salome Jens	...	Helga
Ted Danson	...	Chip Davis
Read Morgan	...	Charlie
Christine Lahti	...	Sandy Dunlap
Sam Waterston	...	Harry Crandall
Susan Rinell	...	Kim Davis
Timothy Gibbs	...	Jeff Davis
Diane Stilwell	...	Carla
Jim McKrell	...	Bill
Chet Collins	...	Stage Manager
Castulo Guerra	...	Sportscaster
Mark Blum	...	George Margolin

Storyline

Holly and Sandy strike up an instant friendship; they don't know however that they have more in common than they'd like. When tragedy strikes, their relationship is tested.

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Plot Keywords:

friendship | independent film

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Taglines:

They loved. They laughed. They lied. All in the name of friendship.

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Genres:

Drama

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Certificate:

PG-13

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

21 March 1986 (USA)

Also Known As:

Something in Common

Box Office

Gross:

$6,408,791 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

MTM Enterprises

Technical Specs

Runtime:

110 min

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Quotes

[last lines]
Sandy Dunlap: Who gave you those shoes?
Holly Davis: A friend... an old friend.
Sandy Dunlap: Well, she has terrific taste. But who picked out the rest of your outfit?

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Connections

Features H.O.T.S. (1979)

User Reviews

It does seem like a TV movie.

This is what used to be called a "women's picture" and later a "chick flick." The plot is just a soap opera for women and, as a movie, will mostly appeal to them. The only appeal for most guys is if they wanna see a (too) rail-thin-but-still-sexy Mary Tyler Moore in leotards. (If you're of a certain age, like me, that' still enough to give it a look.) Otherwise Mary gives another of her typical by-the-numbers performances that she's been giving since the early 70s when she took it to heart (sadly for her acting) that she was "America's Sweetheart." Christine Lathi gives another of those abrasive and unpleasant performances that have become too common in movies and TV shows. Unfortunately it also seem a real part of her as a person (sorry, but it seems true) and only appeal to those who share that nasty personality. Ted Danson is too young to be Mary's husband and, as usual, he sadly gives off the slightly creepy vibe he unfortunately projects (he's a good actor) unless has an acting partner like Shelley Long who can make him seem more a normal guy. (It doesn't happen here.) Allan Burns wrote & directed and probably got the gig because he worked with Mary before and wrote it as a project for her, while she had the last drops of juice to get her projects passed through. There seems no other purpose to it other than for those who want to worship Mary as a symbol, which she sadly came to want too. One slightly fun moment is that Mary does say f***, but the script demands that she say it awkwardly, and Mary does it in such an ain't-I-just-adorable way that she ruins it. There was a period in her career when she could be cute and real, but sadly she grew out of it.