In the Spirit (1990) User Reviews

I worship this movie.

[scottythep · 10/10 · 22 September 2007]

I keep hoping that it will be released on DVD. I have a VHS copy (my 2nd actually, because I wore out the first) but I no longer have a VCR. What to do, what to do...

This film is a subtle, brilliant gem.

I was once in a bar in NYC and I realized it was the setting for the bar scene with Melanie Griffith. I got very excited - and tried to quiz the bartender about it. But she had no idea what I was talking about.

In any event, this is one of my all time favorite movies. So witty, so clever, so underplayed. Someday I will screen it for a huge audience. And show them. What is funny.

Clever, fast paced movie

[VacationJon · 10/10 · 21 April 2003]

This movie is highly underrated. The story line is good and keeps the viewer entertained while moving at a good pace. All of the actors do a fine job with their characters. If you're ever in the mood for a little laughter and need to get away from your troubles, watch this movie as I am sure you will enjoy the two hours of entertainment.

Black, funny and brisk

[YAS · 9/10 · 4 August 2001]

This is one of those movies I have to go back and watch every now and again. It's like very dark chocolate -- it doesn't cloy, and has enough of a bite to keep it interesting. It's funny, managing to skewer New Yorkers, Californians, New Agers, and middle-age crises, all on the same shishkabob; it has great cameos, snappy dialogue, and a pace that keeps it moving right along, with none of the non-nutritive filler that bloats so many films. As the crystal-waving, aura-reading proto-Feng-Shui "decorator," Marlo Thomas is such a NICE person that you just want to smack her. Fortunately, the movie is in on this angle, and Jeannie Berlin expresses the viewer's exasperation very well. Give it a shot as a rental, and you'll probably end up buying a copy.

Great Movie

[reg773 · 16 March 2003]

I stumbled across this movie when it first came out on video. The cover looked interesting so I rented it and immediately loved it. I bought it so I could watch it everyone once in a while. It's like an old friend. It's one of those rare, quirky comedies that touches you.

Marlo Thomas is amazing as nutty Reva Prosky, and Elaine May (from Mike Nichols/2nd City fame) was incredible!

I highly recommend this movie. It rocks.

Brilliant - Sheer Brilliance!

[stiskal1 · 10/10 · 19 February 2003]

Few films have touched my life like this one. How can a person not laugh when a prostitute is accidentally killed when she's standing on the frame of a waterbed and it gives way and the mattress rolls over on her? Marlo Thomas, as new age health food store owner, Reeva Prosky gives the performance of a lifetime. She and Elaine May (Maryann Flan) not only share the same darma - they are the most humerous on-screen comedy duo in the history of film. The supporting cast is flawless - Peter Falk ("Why don't you come over and have some kelp?"); Melanie Griffith ("You mean like 'Finger-Licking Good' or 'Twenty Laps'?"); and Olympia Dukakis ("I have a husband with a heart condition and two children on drugs!") all bring new meaning to the word brilliant. The true star of the movie is Jeannie Berlin, who plays double duty as both the co- screenplay writer and the prostitute Crytsal. Not since William Shakespeare has there been such a story written for stage or screen. This movie changed my life.

It taught me the important life lesson that sometimes "the wise may act foolishly, the fool may act wisely, and the hunter may become the pray."

I will praise this movie to the skies. I loved it.

[majeet · 10/10 · 6 April 2001]

You don't know me, but take my word for it, this movie is a true gem. These high-power, smart, funny, comic savant women got together and (I'm sure) had the best time of their lives making this film. And we are the beneficiaries.

There are only a few wonderful "screwball" comedies. The last one I remember seeing was "What's Up Doc?", until now "In the Spirit", directed by Sandra Seacat, is right up there with the best of them. In fact, I might suggest that the "spirit" is not only Reva's inner guides, but the ghosts of Hitchcock ("Mr.& Mrs. Smith"), Cukor ("The Awful Truth"), and Hawks ("Bringing Up Baby") are alive and well and kicking up their heels!

I hope you have as much fun watching as I did!

Quirky, Funny Comedy! Don't Miss it!

[leslie2122 · 8/10 · 14 January 2012]

I only wish it would come out on DVD! I've been an Elaine May fan forever and this is typical of her off-beat humor. Love this film so much, I actually suffer watching it on VHS. It's about two women who are extremely different. One (the Elaine May character) is a materialistic princess who is married to Peter Falk. The other, Marlo Thomas, is a ditsy new-ager. Somehow their paths cross and they must combine forces against the evils of the New York streets. Marlo Thomas plays her silly, idealistic part to the hilt. Don't over-analyze it - just enjoy! This is screwball comedy at its finest!

And if anyone knows where I can find the DVD, please let me know!

One of my all time favorite comedies...Marlo Thomas and Elaine May are a great team!

[kthywin · 10/10 · 31 May 2013]

It is important to pay close attention to the first part of the movie, or you miss a lot, as it lays a foundation for the rest of the movie. This movie had me in stitches, and I love to watch it whenever I can use a good belly laugh. Ditzy New Age follower, Marlo Thomas has advice for everyone she meets. She crosses paths with Elaine May and Peter Falk, and that sets off a series of events leading to Marlo Thomas and Elaine May being hunted by murderous criminals...they hide away in a New Age camp, and plant booby traps for their hunters. This was the funniest part of the movie, to me, and some of the dialogue is hilarious, if you listen closely. Strangely, no one seems to know of it, and I just happened upon it years ago. I have two VHS tapes, and wouldn't get rid of my VCR, because I need them to watch this movie and a couple others I have. This one is a real gem, and anyone who hasn't seen it is missing out on some great comedy.

Excellent movie one of the best comedies made!

[vrf961 · 10/10 · 9 January 2017]

This movie is a rare gem and very hard to find, was only put out on VCR tape but can find it on sites for movie streaming. If you love brilliant comedic timing, vivid characters, snappy dialogue, just all around excellent writing or are into metaphysics and new age this is for you..it speaks on many levels but especially to those in the spiritual community..it nails the sometimes woo woo wackiness of it all..and also the possibility there's more going on than what we see..

All the lead actors and supporting actors play their part superbly. In lesser hands the movie would come across silly and not realistic but with these actors, the writing and direction it is totally opposite..it's brilliant comedy the way it should be.

Marlo Thomas and Elaine May are one the best comedy duos to hit the screen...they play perfectly off each other and it looks effortless...Marlo as a ditsy new age health food store owner Reva Protsky and Elaine as a Beverly Hills house wife Maryanne Flan thrown together by karma/fate... Jeanne Berlin is a scene stealer as the prostitute with a good heart, Peter Falk is brilliant as the husband on his last legs..Olympia Dukakis also excellent with a small role....don't miss this one if you can they don't make movies like this anymore

Wild black comedy, not for all tastes

[lor_ · 10 May 2023]

My review was written in March 1990 after a screening on Manhattan's UES.

Elaine May and Marlo Thomas make a memorable screen odd couple in "In the Spirit". Kooky black comedy is for specialized tastes but stands a chance to find an appreciative audience among those longing for off-the-wall humor.

Pic is an unusual case on the current scene of big-name talent gathering with friends to make a low-budget film freed of mainstream good taste and gloss. The experiment works and plays like a throwback to the looser, madcap '60s.

"Spirit" also harks back to the black comedy spirit of Jules Feiffer's "Little Murders", as directed for the screen in 1971 by Alan Arkin. Again, New York is a nightmare, with May moving back to Gotrham from Beverly Hills with her just-fired hubby Peter Falk. She's thrown together with ditzy mystic Thomas fater hiring her to redecorate an apartment.

Almost as goofy as Thomas is Jeannie Berlin, a prostitute neighbor. Her matter-of-fact foul-mouthed pronouncements cue Falk's hilarious take so astonishment. Fact of family resemblance between Berlin and her real-life molm May (who directed her in "The Heartbreak Kid") gives a strange bookends look to these early scenes.

Berlin, co-scripter with Laurie Jones, writes herself out of the picture after the second reel and "Spirit" spins off in a different direction. Thomas and May flee the city to hole up at Michael Emil's New Age retreat in upstate New YHork, pursued by a murderer. First-time director Sandrfa Seacat emphasizes slapstick but also female bonding as the gals on the lam reach beyond their wacky survivalist tactics to address feminist issues.

The picture works in fits and starts; its weakest element being a stupid framing device of a mystical narrator telling us about the cosmic links between the characters. Midway change of tone may put off some viewers, but others will likely relish the intensity of th eMya and Thomas segment.

Script by Berlin and Jones (latter also popping up as a clumsy maid) perceptively mocks trendy attitudes a la Caitlin Adams/Melanie Mayron's "Sticky Fingers". In-jokes range from the obvious (mystical Shirley MacLaine) to the obscure (Robin Byrd's local cable access tv show).

In her first screen role since 1978 ("California Suite"), Elaine May is very funny, giving a lesson in rat-a-tat-tat delivery. Marlo Thomas proves a perfect foil, leading to a satisfying role reversal at pic's end.

Besides Falk, who's morose enough here to challenge monologist Brother Theodore (Gottlieb) in the realm of dark humor, guest star Melanie Griffith is perfect as a prostitute interviewed by Thomas and May (both funny in disguises as fellow hookers), who strips down to her black undies in homage to her previous Mike Nichols' "Working Girl" role. Emil and Olympia Dukakis are wasted in brief assignments.

Pic is claustrophobic with its emphasis on closeups, but that's not damaging due to its overall paranoia theme.