Antonia and Jane (Nov. 1991)

Plain Jane Hartman hates her life. She's goofy, boring and only has sex if she reads Iris Murdoch novels out loud to her loopy boyfriend. Her oldest friend Antonia McGill knows about ... See full summary »

Director:

Beeban Kidron

Writer:

Marcy Kahan

Stars:

Imelda Staunton, Saskia Reeves, Patricia Leventon

Cast

Episode cast overview, first billed only:
Imelda Staunton	...	Jane Hartman
Saskia Reeves	...	Antonia McGill
Patricia Leventon	...	Rosa Gluberman (as Petricia Leventon)
Alfred Hoffman	...	Harry Rosenthal
Maria Charles	...	Sylvia Pinker, Social Coordinator
John Bennett	...	Uncle Irwin Carlinsky
Richard Hope	...	Norman Beer, Jane's Lover
Brenda Bruce	...	Therapist
Alfred Marks	...	Uncle Vladimir Hartman
Lila Kaye	...	Jane's Mother
Bonnie Parker	...	Young Jane
Sheila Allen	...	Tutor
Bill Nighy	...	Howard Nash
Cato Sandford	...	Baby Daniel
Iain Cuthbertson	...	Edgar

Storyline

Plain Jane Hartman hates her life. She's goofy, boring and only has sex if she reads Iris Murdoch novels out loud to her loopy boyfriend. Her oldest friend Antonia McGill knows about everything. She orders the right food; she can complain and get results. She's beautiful and has a brilliant career. Is it any wonder that they hate each other's guts?

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Plot Keywords:

family relationships | friendship | boss | independent film | character name in title

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Genres:

Comedy

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Certificate:

R

Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

November 1991 (USA)

Box Office

Gross:

$1,002,078 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

71 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Trivia

Last film of Alfred Marks.

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Connections

References Last Tango in Paris (1972)

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Soundtracks

"Old Friend"

User Reviews

A wonderful look at women's friendships

I love this movie, mostly because it showcases the fabulous talents of both Imelda Staunton and Saskia Reeves. Imelda is too much in the shade in most of her other movies, but here she plays with her looks and her persona, in a way I only have observed the best actors do. There is a depth here, only hinted at in her other portrayals, namely Mary in Peter's Friends. I find it a wonderful portrayal of the friendship between two heterosexual women, so often misinterpreted in movies. Friendship between women can incorporate jealousy, but also a profound understanding of what it means to be in love, to be unhappy or content, the core of what it is to be a woman. This was admirably played out by the two leads, who outshone the other characters, mostly men, by the epic quality of their friendship. I have not seen either in a film for a while, I hope they show up again soon, and in leading roles.