Just Between Friends (1986)

Director:

Allan Burns

Writer:

Allan Burns (writer)

Release Date:

21 March 1986 (USA)

Genre:

Drama

Tagline:

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

Plot:

Holly and Sandy strike up an instant friendship; they don't know however that they have more in common than they'd like...

Plot Keywords:

Independent Film

Cast

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

Also Known As:

Something in Common (USA) (working title)

Runtime:

110 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Certification:

Iceland:L | Australia:M | Finland:K-12 | Sweden:Btl | USA:PG-13

Company:

MTM Enterprises

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?

Movie Connections:

Features H.O.T.S. (1979)

It does seem more a TV movie.

This is what used to be called a "women's picture" and later a "chick's flick" when times and movies got more juvenile. The plot is just soap opera for women and will only appeal to those types. The only appeal for most guys is if they wanna see a too rail-thin Mary Tyler Moore in leotards. (If you're of a certain age, like me, that might still be enough to give it a look.) Otherwise MTM gives another of her typical by-the-numbers performances that she's been giving since the early 70s when she took it to heart that she was America's Sweetheart. Christine Lathi gives another of those abrasive and unpleasant performances that seem a real part of her as a person and probably only appeal to those of that type. (Sorry, but it seems true.) Ted Danson is too young as MTM's husband and usually gives off a slightly creepy appeal unless he has an acting partner who can soften it. And it doesn't happen here. Allan Burns wrote & directed and probably got it all through because he worked with Mary before, wrote it as a project for her, and she had the juice at this point to get it made. There seems no other purpose to it.