Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
Jill Clayburgh | ... | Erica | |
Alan Bates | ... | Saul | |
Michael Murphy | ... | Martin | |
Cliff Gorman | ... | Charlie | |
Patricia Quinn | ... | Sue (as Pat Quinn) | |
Kelly Bishop | ... | Elaine | |
Lisa Lucas | ... | Patti | |
Linda Miller | ... | Jeannette | |
Andrew Duncan | ... | Bob | |
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Daniel Seltzer | ... | Dr. Jacobs |
Matthew Arkin | ... | Phil | |
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Penelope Russianoff | ... | Tanya |
Novella Nelson | ... | Jean | |
Raymond J. Barry | ... | Edward | |
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Ivan Karp | ... | Herb Rowan |
Erica is unmarried only temporarily, in that her successful, wealthy husband of seventeen years has just left her for a girl he met while buying a shirt in Bloomingdale's. This movie shows Erica coming to terms with the break-up, while revising her opinions of herself, redefining that self in its own right rather than as an extension of somebody else's personality, and finally going out with another man. Erica refuses to drop everything for Saul, an abstract expressionist painter, simply out of love for him, because he expects her to. It is not so much loneliness that is her problem, and the problems that men, flitting around this newly "available" woman like moths round a flame, bring to her sense of independence. Written by alfiehitchie
A thoughtful film about human emotions and modern relationships, it is filled with interesting ideas and it is very well acted. At the time of the film's initial release, Jill Clayburgh received a lot of attention for her performance, and indeed she delivers very well, but Michael Murphy cannot be forgotten - he is an actor who is able to convey his emotions very realistically. In 1976 and 1979 he was also brilliant in 'The Front' and 'Manhattan' respectively - with such talent it is a shame that he has not had a better career. The film is also is set to some quite appropriately moody music from Bill Conti, and although technically unimpressive in general, some shots are very well composed by Mazursky. On the down side, the supporting characters are only lightly developed, and it drags a bit towards the end, but generally this is a solidly made film, and if nothing else, it is interesting to see Clayburgh dancing about in her underwear!