Harriet Lawler (Shirley MacLaine) is, or rather was, a success. She rose high in the advertising industry, has made a lot of money, and is always very sure of herself. She's also friendless, lonely, and makes a couple of half hearted attempts at suicide. Her mindset changes when she reads some obituaries. Of people she knew and disliked, but who had been made to sound like special human beings by the writer.
Determined to be remembered with such fondness, Harriet demands that the author, local journalist Anne (Amanda Seyfried), performs the same service for her - before she's dead. When Anne is unable to find anyone with a good word for her subject (even the local priest hates her) Harriet is furious with the result. So she comes back to Anne with a proposition - she's identified four qualities in every great obituary, so she wants Anne to help her through a series of new experiences that will enable the writer to say what a wonderful person she was.
Cue series of quirky, eccentric, amusing 'adventures'. You can join the dots yourself for what happens next. It's predictable, cliched and overly sentimental. There's even a road trip featuring grumpy old woman, young woman seeking to find herself, and cute and sassy kid. Harriet will find redemption and her own humanity, Anne will find romance and herself.
All of which is true, but sells this movie short. The great saving factor is Maclaine herself, who has a ball as both bitch and mentor. She's still a strong screen presence, and moves with grace of the dancer she was. The script does have its moments, like her gynecologist saying Lawler had "the angriest vagina this side of China". It can be very funny at times. Undemanding, but still enjoyable.
No comments:
Post a Comment