This Is My Life (1992)

A stand-up comic (Julie Kavner) neglects her two daughters in the midst of her newfound fame.

Director:

Nora Ephron

Writers:

Meg Wolitzer (book), Nora Ephron (screenplay),

Stars:

Julie Kavner, Samantha Mathis, Gaby Hoffmann

3 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Julie Kavner	...	Dottie Ingels
Samantha Mathis	...	Erica Ingels
Gaby Hoffmann	...	Opal Ingels
Carrie Fisher	...	Claudia Curtis
Dan Aykroyd	...	Arnold Moss
Bob Nelson	...	Ed
Marita Geraghty	...	Mia Jablon
Welker White	...	Lynn
Caroline Aaron	...	Martha Ingels
Kathy Najimy	...	Angela (as Kathy Ann Najimy)
Danny Zorn	...	Jordan Strang
Renée Lippin	...	Arlene
Joy Behar	...	Ruby
Estelle Harris	...	Aunt Harriet
Sidney Armus	...	Morris Chesler

Storyline

Single mom Dottie Ingels sells cosmetics in a department store, but she dreams of being a comedian. When she inherits some money, she takes the chance and moves with her two children Erica and Opel to New York to perform in small bars. Soon her agent Arnold Moss makes her famous, but while she travels all over USA, her children stay home lonely.

---

Plot Keywords:

stand up | comedian | tour | mother daughter relationship | stand up comedy | 

---

Taglines:

Before the tour, before the talk shows, she was our mom.

---

Genres:

Drama

---

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for a scene of sensuality

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

21 February 1992 (USA)

Also Known As:

Esta es mi vida

Filming Locations:

Las Vegas, Nevada, USA

Box Office

Gross:

$2,922,094 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation

Technical Specs

Runtime:

105 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Quotes

Opal Ingels: What about "the moss?"
Dottie Ingels: Maybe you'll get to like "the moss", he grows on you.

---

Connections

References It's a Wonderful Life (1946)

---

Soundtracks

"Johnny's Theme"
Written by Paul Anka and Johnny Carson

User Reviews

Whimsically winning slice-of-life movie

I just watched this movie for the third time. I chose to watch it on Mother's Day because this is about as realistic a tale about mother-and-daughter bonding and growing pains as you will ever see. Julie Kavner is nothing short of amazing as Dotty, a stand-up comic from Ozone Park, Queens, waiting for her chance to make it to the big time. But, life necessitates tradeoffs. As her career takes off, Dotty is unable to spend much time with her kids who grow resentful. And with her older daughter Erica (an excellent performance by Samantha Mathis) now in the awkward early teen years, everything Dotty does is a personal embarrassment to Erica.

The direction is a bit on the claustrophobic and episodic side. Aside from experimenting with the number of different ways to show polka dots, this is not a visually impressive film, nor is it meant to be.

But on its own terms, it is sweet, warm, winning, and true.