Irreconcilable Differences (1984)

Such a frustrating disappointment

It’s fine. It's literally the definition of a fine movie. You’ve seen it before, you know every beat and outcome before the characters even do. Only question is how much escapism you’re looking for.

Great example of an old-fashioned, pure-at-heart escapist event movie that doesn't pretend to be anything that it's not and has boat loads of fun being its own ludicrous self.

Great example of an old-fashioned, pure-at-heart escapist event movie that doesn't pretend to be anything that it's not and has boat loads of fun being its own ludicrous self.

Ten year old Casey Brodsky (Drew Barrymore) seeks emancipation from her parents Albert (Ryan O'Neal) and Lucy (Shelley Long). Her divorced parents do not get along. The testimonies lead to recollections of earlier times. She reluctantly picks up hitchhiking Albert on a rainy night. She's marrying Bink but marries Albert instead. He's a UCLA film professor. Hollywood producer David Kessler (Sam Wanamaker) hires him and she becomes his writing partner. He directs a smash hit. He hires ingénue newcomer Blake Chandler (Sharon Stone) for his next movie leading to their divorce. Albert loses everything making a flop with Blake while Lucy gains success as a children book writer.Written by married couple Nancy Meyers and Charles Shyer, this is Hollywood married life with all the ups and downs. Drew Barrymore is actually the supporting actress. This is more about the pairing between O'Neal and Long. They have to sell their chemistry and their relationship. It's passable but it could be better. It needs more humor especially in the first half. The second half has the needed heartbreak. The climatic moment when the couple is literally pulling Casey apart is very effective.

For anyone wanting to get this film on DVD it is now possible to order it from Hard to find Movies and will be available 14th April 09 As I live in the UK its going to cost a lot because of postage but its worth it. I originally got this on VHS twice but the quality of the picture was terrible so I have been waiting ever since. Apparently Lionsgate found this and other movies now called the Lost Collection and are going to release them all so there might be one you want I loved this movie because it had such catchy tunes and of course poetry. Shelley Long has always had a raw deal from the critics over her films but I have always found most of them really nice viewing.

Writing team Charles Shyer and Nancy Meyers scored a bullseye with IRRECONCILABLE DIFFERENCES, a surprisingly smart and amusing comedy that blended the family dysfunction comedy with the "inside Hollywood" type of comedy and the results is quite entertaining. Our story begins with 10-year old KC Brotzky (Drew Barrymore)arriving in a Los Angeles courtroom where she is suing for emancipation from her divorced parents,filmmakers Albert and Lucy Brotzky (Ryan O'Neal and Shelley Long). The film then flashes back to the beginning of Albert and Lucy's relationship,showcasing the first smash hit film they made together, followed by another film during which Albert has an affair with the leading lady (Sharon Stone,very funny in one of her earliest roles)and how the making of this film tore Albert and Lucy apart. Albert and his new love then make a "Gone With the Wind"-type spectacular that bombs at the box office and things just go from bad to worse with poor little KC caught in the middle and tired of being a bargaining chip between her parents. O'Neal delivers what is probably the best performance of his career and Long is a good match for him. Aided by a deft screenplay, O'Neal, Long, and Barrymore deliver a nearly forgotten gem here which delivers warm family laughs and takes accurate potshots at Hollywood as well.

This is a movie that everyone can understand. It explains my, as am I certain, many different parts of people's childhoods. It is worth watching because it shows how adults affect the world. Please, if you are a parent, watch this movie so that you can understand how important you are to your child. This move shows how a parent can mold the child, and vice versas.