I had never seen this film until moments ago. Being a long time Shelley Hack fan from her 1 season on Charlie's Angels (79-80) and her Charlie (not related to the show) perfume ad campaigns, I had always wanted to see this. Never could find it in a rental store and online purchasing was always too high for something I had never seen. But then someone was selling a VHS copy for $25.00 (incl shipping) on ebay. I got it!! Was it worth $25.00? Yes. From a Shelley Hack/Charlie's Angels collectors point of view. Yes & No from a film lovers point of view. I knew going in that if the director was also a producer, the songwriter and a star- there was going to problems. Way too many hands in way too many places. Joe Brooks was not completely awful but far from endearing. He was Ray Ramono (Everybody Love Raymond) before Ray Ramono. Very Jewish and VERY New York. Overall he was OK. But for pete's sake he should NEVER sing. Oy vay!! Shelley was quite thin to my surprise. But still luminous and I do not by any means see how/why she has been so trashed for her performance over the years. She was far better than I expected after reading the reviews. Want to see her in a bad performance? Watch "Troll" or "The Stepfather". YELCH. I really did fall for the romance and love between the two leads in this film.
The film did start out VERY slow and clunky. Not until Shelley's character comes into play does it pick up. Before she does it's bad dialouge, worse editing and even worse than that directing. I point out the entrance of Shelley's character (Jennifer) more on account of the character than Shelley herself. This is a romance film and any part without that is beyond boring. Except scenes that show Joe's character as a very loving father with his 2 children.
This was $25.00 well spent in my opinion. Shelley may never be seen as a rival to Meryl Streep but then again very few are. The errors I found with her performance (the bad overdubs, far too soft speaking manner) were the fault of her director. Not her. Not every film requires a Meryl Streep. For what appears to be only her second major (or minor) acting role I thought Shelley was very lovely. Joe and other supporting actors were far worse and deserved their biting criticisms.
Bottom line- this was not a great film. It was an enjoyable uneven film. No fault to Ms. Hack. All fault to Mr. Brooks. The theme song (sung like a bad American Idol audition by Joe) was also recorded by Roberta Flack. Her far superior version can be found and purchased via iTunes.
The film did start out VERY slow and clunky. Not until Shelley's character comes into play does it pick up. Before she does it's bad dialouge, worse editing and even worse than that directing. I point out the entrance of Shelley's character (Jennifer) more on account of the character than Shelley herself. This is a romance film and any part without that is beyond boring. Except scenes that show Joe's character as a very loving father with his 2 children.
This was $25.00 well spent in my opinion. Shelley may never be seen as a rival to Meryl Streep but then again very few are. The errors I found with her performance (the bad overdubs, far too soft speaking manner) were the fault of her director. Not her. Not every film requires a Meryl Streep. For what appears to be only her second major (or minor) acting role I thought Shelley was very lovely. Joe and other supporting actors were far worse and deserved their biting criticisms.
Bottom line- this was not a great film. It was an enjoyable uneven film. No fault to Ms. Hack. All fault to Mr. Brooks. The theme song (sung like a bad American Idol audition by Joe) was also recorded by Roberta Flack. Her far superior version can be found and purchased via iTunes.