The Morning After (1986)

A washed up, alcoholic actress who is prone to blackouts wakes up next to a murdered man. Did she kill him and, if not, is she in danger?

Director:

Sidney Lumet

Writer:

James Cresson (as James Hicks)

Stars:

Jane Fonda, Jeff Bridges, Raul Julia

Nominated for 1 Oscar.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Jane Fonda	...	Alex Sternbergen
Jeff Bridges	...	Turner Kendall
Raul Julia	...	Joaquin Manero
Diane Salinger	...	Isabel Harding
Richard Foronjy	...	Sergeant Greenbaum
Geoffrey Scott	...	Bobby Korshack
James 'Gypsy' Haake	...	Frankie
Kathleen Wilhoite	...	Red
Don Hood	...	Hurley
Fran Bennett	...	Airline Clerk
Michael Flanagan	...	Airline Supervisor
Bruce Vilanch	...	Bartender
Michael Prince	...	Mr. Harding
Frances Bergen	...	Mrs. Harding
José Angel Santana	...	Driver (as José Santana)

Storyline

Alex Sternberg wakes up with a hangover and no memory of how she ended up in bed with a dead man. She flees, convinced that she has had another blackout and stabbed someone. Her only support, Turner, an ex cop and recovering alcoholic who is unsympathetic to her plight. She could believe that it is as simple as a violent act committed while drunk, except that the body keeps re-appearing.

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Plot Keywords:

neo noir | hitchcockian | three word title | blood | stabbed to death | 

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Taglines:

...can be murder.

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Genres:

Crime | Mystery | Romance | Thriller

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Certificate:

R

Did You Know?

Trivia

Sidney Lumet directed Jane Fonda's father, Henry Fonda, in 12 Angry Men (1957), Lumet's feature film debut

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Goofs

The taxi driver tells Alex that it is Thursday November 28, 1986. However, November 28, 1986 was a Friday.

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Quotes

[last lines]
Turner Kendall: Never did see that damn trick done right.
Alex Sternbergen: And you never will.
Turner Kendall: Whatever makes you happy.
Alex Sternbergen: You, oh you make me happy.

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Connections

Referenced in By Sidney Lumet (2015)

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Soundtracks

CHIEF INSPECTOR
Composed & performed by Wally Badarou
Courtesy of Island Visual Arts Records

User Reviews

Despite the flaws I enjoy this film.

The film takes place in LA in the 1980's. So you know what that means- I don't even need to say do I? Any film from the 80's has a very distinct look and while you see glimpses here and there of that era it's not too much to be distracting even if some screen time takes place in a beauty salon.

The film is interesting to watch because of the actors. They all do a good job here. Jane especially. Jeff Bridges and Raul Julia also are very good here. So it is the acting, the performances that make the film. The sets too are great-they almost are a character themselves from Alex's Pink and Mauve art deco place to the low budget but homey place of Turner's garage pad.

The flaws. There are some. Some of the dialog is cheesy and clichéd with laughable lines. The references to different cultures here in crude and crass terms. This was way BEFORE "politically correct".

This is not the greatest movie but I still love it and drag it out to watch about once a year.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English French

Release Date:

25 December 1986 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Morning After

Filming Locations:

Nate Starkman & Son Building - 544 Mateo St, Los Angeles, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$15,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$5,069,926, 28 December 1986

Gross USA:

$25,147,055

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$25,147,055

Company Credits

Production Co:

American Filmworks, Lorimar Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

103 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1