It is always interesting to watch a film in the context of the decade it was made and in the context of what we see in our eyes today. In these enlightening post #MeToo reflective ideals, it is always good also to backtrack and see how things were written.
Originally released in 1981, the final film of directing legend George Cukor, RICH AND FAMOUS is one of the most engrossing and involving films about the female bond and perspective, intelligently written with the right blend of comedy, pathos and irony. Told across three decades, it is the story of Liz Hamilton (Jacqueline Bisset) and Merry Noel Blake (Candice Bergen), who meet in college when, as young Donna in MAMMA MIA : HERE WE GO AGAIN! says, the world is wide.
The film starts in 1959, when Liz is the talented writer on her way, whilst Merry is already heading for seemingly romantic bliss with new squeeze Doug (David Selby). Friendship is never in doubt between the two women, but this is only first base of the journey into life.
A decade later, Liz is an acclaimed writer on her first taste of success, whilst Merry has now got a young daughter, Debbie as well as marital bliss in a Malibu beach house with Doug, where the haves who seemingly are struggling with more of their fair share of have-nots amongst the Hollywood high-risers. Merry has also used her penchant for being a good listener to transcribe the thoughts of her friends into a first novel, which she in turn asks Liz to show to a publisher.
The trail leads them both to New York, where a plane trip leads to a drunken on-plane cubicle dalliance (and membership of the ‘Mile High Club’) for Liz with a fellow traveller (played by Michael Brandon, who bowed two years later in TV’S DEMPSEY AND MAKEPEACE, with future wife Glynis Barber (BLAKE’S 7))
Merry’s daughter Debbie (Meg Ryan in her big-screen debut and showing a sense of the screen presence that would make her for a while the rom-com darling) is at college but resentful of her mother. The friendship of Liz and Merry is about to be tested further, not least when Rolling Stone reporter Chris Adams (Hart Bochner pre-SUPERGIRL (1984) and Ellis in DIE HARD) wants to interview her….
This gem of a comedy-drama which received mixed reviews on its’ original release has matured into a watchable film, which was screened recently as part of ‘THE OLD MAN IS STILL ALIVE!‘ season curated by the ‘You Must Remember This‘ podcast at the BFI South Bank.
The chemistry between Bisset and Bergen is first rate and a film well worth checking out.
Originally filmed in 1943 as OLD ACQUAINTANCE with Bette Davis and adapted from the 1940 stage play by John Van Druten.