Men Don't Leave (1990)

Best movie of this year hands down!

It's not great by any means, but it's a pretty good movie that didn't leave me filled with regret for investing time in it.

It’s an especially fun movie from a director and cast who are clearly having a good time allowing themselves to let loose.

The movie really just wants to entertain people.

Realism reigns supreme in this terrific melodrama. Despite a somewhat odd pace, Men Don't Leave manages to build into a remarkable journey for the viewer. This is in most part due to the wonderful work of an ensemble anchored by Lange. As a strong, pragmatic yet fragile widowed mother of two, Lange hits every emotional bullseye. I couldn't help but root for her-and cry with her-as she struggles to keep her small family (as well as her own sanity) intact, despite seemingly unsurmountable odds. Lange is aided by a top notch ensemble. Joan Cusack is hilariously disturbing as the no-nonsense nurse who dates Lange's teenage son, played by Chris O'Donnell. O'Donnell and Charlie Korsmo (as the younger son) both manage to astonish in their heart-tugging roles. A scene in which O'Donnell breaks down in front of Arliss Howard shows why the young actor would soon become a huge star. Props also go out to Kathy Bates, marvelous as Lange's tough-as-nails boss.

When I rented this movie about ten years ago, the only reason I got it was because I knew Jessica Lange was in it and she had been in so many good movies before that one. What a likable movie! I think the reason why someone would like this movie so much is because so many of the scenes in it you could really see happening. Watching this movie you realize how contrived and unrealistic most movies about "real life" are, which just made "Men Don't Leave" seem that much more offbeat and quirky.I love the part where Jessica Lange is so bored out of her mind that she starts chucking "Beth-cakes" out the window of their high-rise apartment just to have something interesting to do. The scenes with Joan Cusack (as a nurse (?) who just wants to "help people" whether they want her to or not) are great; as well as Arliss Howard as an untimely boyfriend Beth (Jessica Lange) is not quite sure what to do with. The ending of this movie was done just right, where it could have been easily done in a sappy and everything unrealistically happy way; the music was perfect too: haunting but with a sense of hope about it. Ultimately I think this movie is about the power of the human spirit to survive devastating life events and come out the other side, not quite the same as before but still able to go on and even thrive.

"Men Don't Leave" is a bittersweet light drama with the emphasis on sweet and light. This slice-of-life Hollywood melodrama is a Lang tour-de-force which tells of a window's struggle to get her life back on track after the death of her husband. On the upside, the film has a kind of freshness to it even though it walks it the footsteps of some very ordinary weepers. On the downside, it's obvious, predictable, and a typical Hollywood commercial product. An enjoyable watch, particularly for Lang fans, but best saved for broadcast.

I love this movie. Lange, Cusack, and O'Donnell each give one of their best performances. Must see for fans of any of them, especially Cusack. Even though it is pretty weepy it is also very funny and sweet. I like the way they deal with the depression of Lange's character. There are some wonderful images and great lines. I am still waiting for O'Donnell to live up to the promise he showed in this film. I know some will think I'm nuts but I think Lange was never sexier. See this movie. Warning: not as many laughs in the TV-edited version.