Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
Melanie Mayron | ... | Susan Weinblatt | |
Eli Wallach | ... | Rabbi Gold | |
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Adam Cohen | ... | Bar Mitzvah Boy |
Anita Skinner | ... | Anne Munroe | |
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Jean De Baer | ... | Terry |
Christopher Guest | ... | Eric | |
Nancy Mette | ... | Denise | |
Kenneth McMillan | ... | Cabbie | |
Bob Balaban | ... | Martin | |
Albert Rogers | ... | Hair Dresser | |
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Jane Anderson | ... | Omega Receptionist |
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Gina Rogak | ... | Julie |
Russell Horton | ... | Photo Editor | |
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Regina David | ... | Rabbi's Receptionist |
Amy Wright | ... | Ceil |
In New York City, Susan Weinblatt and Anne Munroe are longtime roommates and friends. Susan is a struggling photographer who wants to get out of the wedding and bar mitzvah racket, those jobs which she primarily gets through her friend, Rabbi Gold, to selling the photographs she wants to take, but she realizes that she has to pay the rent. Anne is an aspiring poet and academic who looks to Susan as her primary guidance. As they move into a new apartment, Anne drops the news that she will not be moving in as she is getting married to her boyfriend, Martin. This news is bittersweet for Susan who is somewhat happy for her friend, but isn't sure if she likes all that Martin now represents to her. Both Susan and Anne will have to make professional and personal adjustments to their new situations, especially in what it means for not having the other as a constant in each their lives. While Anne has a "Martin", Susan has no one currently to replace all that Anne has been in her life. So ... Written by Huggo
I came across Girlfriends after reading a list of Stanley Kubrick's favorite films, and he rightly called it 'wonderful'. Shot in New York in the late 70's, when master filmmakers such as Cassavetes, Scorsese and Woody Allen ruled the cities screens Weill's film went largely ignored and her brilliant lead actress never went on to make another film except for a small role in a B sci-fi thriller.
There is an obvious kinship between Weill's style and that of Woody Allen - the nervous Jewish humor, the wit and sharp dialog, but Girlfriends omits the irony and stands on its own as a singular, intelligent story of friendship and troubled relationships told from a uniquely female perspective.
Sadly it is very hard to see this film today, No streaming service carries it, and Kim's New York just shut its doors for good. I bought a poor transfer on DVD. I hope Criterion gets around to it one day, because it is truly a wonderful film.