Just Between Friends
Just Between Friends | |
---|---|
Directed by | Allan Burns |
Written by | Allan Burns |
Produced by | Allan Burns |
Starring | |
Cinematography | Jordan Cronenweth |
Edited by | Anne Goursaud |
Music by | Patrick Williams |
Production company | |
Distributed by | Orion Pictures |
Release date |
|
Running time | 110 minutes |
Country | United States |
Language | English |
Box office | $6.4 million[1] |
Just Between Friendsis a 1986 Americandrama filmabout two women whose friendship is tested by tragedy. The film was written, produced and directed byAllan Burns,and it starsMary Tyler Moore,Christine Lahti,Ted DansonandSam Waterston.
Plot
[edit]Holly Davis is a wife and mother, happily married toseismologistChip Davis. She is not aware that he is having an affair with Sandy Dunlap, a television news reporter who interviewed him after an earthquake.
Holly begins teachingaerobicspart-time at the gym, where she and Sandy meet by coincidence. Sandy and Holly become fast friends and Holly's children like Sandy as well. Sandy is a career-minded reporter trying to become an anchorwoman. Holly invites Sandy to a dinner at her home. It's then that Sandy realizes her married boyfriend is Holly's husband. Sandy tells Chip it's over, but he begs her to wait until they can talk after his upcoming trip. One day at work, a news bulletin reveals the death of Chip in a car crash.
Holly is devastated by the news and so is Sandy. Helga, the gym's owner, is ready to sell, so Sandy and Holly invest together. Holly learns the truth while clearing out her husband's office where she finds a photo of Sandy and Chip together. She angrily confronts Sandy who tells her that she was unaware that her new friend was the wife of the man she loved until the dinner party, then she ended it. Holly angrily ends their friendship.
Sandy begs for forgiveness, but Holly is devastated, hurt and angry, and refuses to forgive Sandy. Holly swears she will buy Sandy out of her share of the gym as soon as she is able and refuses to resume the close friendship they once shared.
Sandy discovers that she is pregnant, and she tells Holly, who is horrified by the news. Over time, Holly realizes that Sandy's child will also be her husband's child so she decides that she should try to forgive Sandy so that she can be a part of the child's life. Harry, Chip's co-worker, helps Sandy with her pregnancy. He also sees Holly, always having had a crush on her. Sandy rejects Holly's attempt at renewing their friendship at first but once the child is born, the film ends as they begin to repair their friendship and Harry kisses Holly.
Cast
[edit]- Mary Tyler Mooreas Holly Davis
- Christine Lahtias Sandy Dunlap
- Sam Waterstonas Harry Crandall
- Ted Dansonas Chip Davis
- Mark Blumas George Margolin
- Salome Jensas Helga
- Read Morganas Charlie
- Beverly Sandersas Judy
- Robert Rothwell as Bill
- Julie Payneas Karen
- Darwyn Carson as Janet
- Andra Akersas Andrea
- Robert Kino as Mr. Hasegawa
- Jane Greeras Ruth Chadwick
- George Wallaceas Bob Chadwick
- Cástulo Guerraas Sportscaster
- Lisle Wilsonas Newswriter
- Chet Collins as Stage Manager
- Lewis Arquetteas TV Station Guard
- Terri Hanaueras Woman in Shower
- Helene Winston as Woman in Ice Cream Shop
- Gary Rileyas Clerk in Ice Cream Shop
- Leda Siskind as Coffee Shop Waitress
- Christina Kokuboas Nurse
- Leslie Ann Rieder as Candy Striper
Reception
[edit]Just Between Friendsreceived generally negative reviews from critics. The film holds a 33% rating onRotten Tomatoesbased on 6 reviews.[2]Roger Ebertof theChicago Sun-Timeswas critical of the film saying it "labors over the smallest points of the most inconsequential scenes and then hurries past the big emotional climaxes".[3]
Home media
[edit]Just Between Friendswas released onDVDbyMGM Home Entertainmenton January 13, 2004 as a Region 1 DVD.
References
[edit]- ^Just Between FriendsatBox Office Mojo
- ^"Just Between Friends (1986)".Rotten Tomatoes.
- ^Ebert, Roger(March 21, 1986)."Just Between Friends".Chicago Sun-Times– via RogerEbert.