Used People (1992)

At her husband's funeral, Pearl (Shirley MacLaine), Jewish mother of two divorced and antagonistic daughters, meets an old Italian friend (Marcello Mastroianni) of her husband, whose advice... See full summary »

Director:

Beeban Kidron

Writers:

Todd Graff (plays), Todd Graff (screenplay)

Stars:

Shirley MacLaine, Kathy Bates, Jessica Tandy

Nominated for 2 Golden Globes. Another 2 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Shirley MacLaine	...	Pearl Berman
Bob Dishy	...	Jack
Emma Tammi	...	Young Bibby
Asia Vieira	...	Young Norma
Lee Wallace	...	Uncle Harry
Louis Guss	...	Uncle Normy
Kathy Bates	...	Bibby Berman
Gil Filar	...	Mark
Maia Filar	...	Rhonda
Irving Metzman	...	Uncle Al
Matthew Branton	...	Swee' Pea
David Gow	...	Bill the Jeweler
Marcia Gay Harden	...	Norma
Jessica Tandy	...	Freida
Sylvia Sidney	...	Becky

Storyline

At her husband's funeral, Pearl (Shirley MacLaine), Jewish mother of two divorced and antagonistic daughters, meets an old Italian friend (Marcello Mastroianni) of her husband, whose advice years previously had stopped the husband leaving home. For 23 years he, now a widower, has secretly loved Pearl...

---

Plot Keywords:

jewish shiva | jewish | funeral | brother in law brother in law relationship | dancer | 

---

Taglines:

A story about love, family and other embarrassments.

---

Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Romance

---

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for elements of sensuality and language

Did You Know?

Trivia

Jessica Tandy and Kathy Bates previously starred in Fried Green Tomatoes (1991).

---

Goofs

In the beginning of the film, after it has jumped to 1969, the glimpse of the Manhattan skyline shows the skyline as it looked in 1993 (the Citicorp building built in 1978 is shown), and not as it would in 1969.

---

Quotes

Bibby Berman: All class, my sister. She brought a date to her own father's funeral.

---

Connections

Referenced in Animaniacs: Video Review/When Mice Ruled the Earth (1993)

---

Soundtracks

The Sky Fell Down
Performed by Frank Sinatra with Tommy Dorsey & His Orchestra

User Reviews

For those who like a slice of life film that is off the beaten path

Admittedly, I LOVE films about relationships. Perhaps this is because I am a therapist.

This film is not only about finding love, but also about waking up to love that is already there. The characters grow and change in this film and if it seems uneven, this may be why. When the character of Pearl tells us early on that she never did anything she wanted in life, you doubt her ability to break away from her old life, but break away she does, carrying her mother, daughters and grandchildren with her.

This film has a happy ending, but it is not all neatly tucked away in pretty packages. If you like films that say something, try this one on for size. Films of similar flavor are "Wrestling Ernest Hemingway" "Harold and Maude" and "Moonstruck" .

Details

Country:

USA Japan

Language:

English

Release Date:

22 January 1993 (USA)

Also Known As:

Romance otoñal

Filming Locations:

New York City, New York, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$16,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$51,955, 20 December 1992

Gross USA:

$17,957,265

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$17,957,265

Company Credits

Production Co:

JVC Entertainment Networks, Largo Entertainment

Technical Specs

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1