Postcards from the Edge (1990)

Too many fans seem to be blown away

The greatest movie ever made..!

What a freaking movie. So many twists and turns. Absolutely intense from start to finish.

One of the most extraordinary films you will see this year. Take that as you want.

Meryl Streep is like a cameleon. I honestly dont know many other actresses that can act so believable. It is truly as if she becomes the person whose role she is playing. In "Postcards from the Edge" Meryl Streep plays a drug addicted moviestar who is forced into a rehab after an overdose. Will she survive? Will she be able to pick up her life again? That's the story. Sounds dramatic and depressing, doesnt it? But it is one of the funniest and dearest movies there is. "Postcards from the Edge" has got some genuine tender moments that really lift up this film above all the other comedies.Because however heavy the story might sound it is truly a lighthearted comedy with a warm gentle heart.For those who know the following supporting actors will be immediately impressed: Rob Reiner, Gene Hackman, Dennis Quaid and ofcourse Shirley MacClaine who plays an oscar worthy role as an alcoholic mother of Meryl Streep.If you love Meryl Streep then you gotta see this wonderful warm and lovely comedy. Directed by the grandmaster Mike Nichols who just cant do anything wrong, on the contrary this man keeps on delivering masterpiece after masterpiece. And he did it again with "Postcards from the Edge"!

Postcards from the Edge is a painfully compelling story about a young and talented actress overshadowed by her older and wildly famous actress mother.This movie, based on Carrie Fisher's novel of the same name, expertly explores the relationship of the parent/child who work in the same industry. You can see how competitive they get and how proud of one another they are. You can't help but compare their vices--one likes hard liquor and the other likes hard drugs--and how they go about denying that they have them. Streep and MacLaine play off of each other masterfully and really understand the relationship between the two characters. Maclaine steals the show with her subtle nuances that remind the viewer of who she is not-so-secretly-secretly channeling (For those of you who don't know, the story is based on Fisher's relationship with her mother Debbie Reynolds) though Streep hits her stride as the rain clouded daughter who refuses to be outshone.The harrowing heart of the story is enough to keep you engrossed for days, but you'll have to settle for the meager 100 minutes they give you. (Trust me, it flies by) Carrie Fisher proves that she has real artistic talent as she (Also wrote the screenplay) demonstrates most profoundly that she can capture the human heart and all of its trappings.Although the tale is one of a tumultuous and troubled relationship between the two stars, you will not fail to see the unconditional love that shines through right to the very end. 8.5/10

The first five minutes are fine. And the film's eight-minute musical finale exudes terrific country/western spirit. But, in between, the characters reek of a glossy shallowness characteristic of a script that is not well fleshed out.Flighty, ungrateful Suzanne Vale (Meryl Streep) is a young actress hooked on drugs, and lorded over by her annoyingly controlling, alcoholic, show-biz mother named Doris Mann (Shirley MacLaine). Their bumpy relationship provides the main thrust to the plot, as pill-popping Suzanne tries to continue her acting, while judgmental Doris imposes herself on Suzanne, as a kind of career counselor. Around these two swirl an assortment of photogenic Hollywood types, who initiate or aggravate various conflicts between Suzanne and Doris.One would think this setup would imply a drama. Not here. The film tries to be a comedy. Some of the dialogue is indeed funny. But the comedy element contradicts the painful plight of the script's two main characters. In addition to their substance abuse problems, both Suzanne and Doris are so wrapped up in themselves, so self-centered, they're hard to root for.The film's acting generally is overdone, at times hammy, the most egregious example being Dennis Quaid. Production design is credible. Color cinematography is conventional, but competent.The story premise had merit. But Director Mike Nichols and writer Carrie Fisher needed to give a little more thought to the characters in this story, all of whom come across as glib, shallow, cosmetic, superficial, devoid of depth. Comedy can indeed be integrated with serious topics. But in the case of "Postcards From The Edge", it needed to be integrated with a little more finesse.

Postcards From The Edge is directed by Mike Nichols,has a screenplay by Carrie Fisher based on her book and stars Meryl Streep, Shirley MacLaine, Gene Hackman, Dennis Quaid and Mary Wicke's.The film is based Carrie Fisher's life and her relationship with her mother Debbie Reynolds.It's a good mix of comedy and sadness with powerful performances especially from Meryl as the insecure actress.Suzanne Vale(Meryl Streep)is one of Hollywoods biggest stars and is on top of the world,there is a snag though she has a drug problem.After taking an overdose her boyfriend Jack Faulkner(Dennis Quaid)rushes her to hospital where her stomach is pumped by Dr Frankenthal(Richard Dreyfuss)who might just be the man she is meant to be in love with.She goes through rehab and gets clean,the root of her addiction lies with her overbearing and demanding mother Doris Mann(Shirley MacLaine).Doris has made her life hell and although she loves her she just can't stop picking at her and driving her further away.The film revolves around Suzanne's struggle to stay off drugs and try and get into a better place emotionally.Her only true friend in all of this is her favourite director Lowell Kolcheck(Gene Hackman)although a bit severe at times he teaches her to be stronger and stand up to her mother and is there when she needs a shoulder to cry on.Deeply moving and featuring some superb performances, Postcards From The Edge is a wonderful film.Meryl also gets to prove her singing skills here and they are very good.