Edie & Pen (1996) User Reviews

mini-review

[Helen-7 · 16 December 1998]

Edie and Pen are two women who came to Reno to divorce their husbands. Young and cheerful Edie had spent only two weeks with a spouse who left her five years ago; more mature and high-strung Penelope (a.k.a. Pen) had been married for more than nine years. Five minutes of formalities - and both women are free. Free to do what? Edie has "plan B" - her fiancee is waiting, tomorrow she's going to marry him in Acapulco. And Pen... she has nothing but freedom now - freedom to get drunk in bars, take pills and wake up in bed with local dude who seems even more miserable than herself. Yet life is beautiful and full of surprises - both women will appreciate the slyness of fate in final sequences. "Edie and Pen" is "The First Wives' Club" from the feminine point of view. Unlike "Club", this movie boasts neither flashy wittisisms courtesy of Paul Rudnick nor gorgeous female movie stars in their early fifties who look their late twenties. Yet the pic's amusing, sad, funny, sometimes tragic, sometimes comedic (Pen's first "big night" with a man turns out to be such a global disaster!) and irresistibly charming. "Edie and Pen" is a very rare exhibit of moviemaking where laughter is intertwined with tears as romantic hopes are constantly crashed by life's absurdity. Because everything in this world is deceptive. The man you once married for pity turns out to be cold liar. Good-natured guys who invited you for a ride, can leave you alone on desert freeway at the night. A man who looks like weathered cowboy turns out to be pharmacist. And the girl who wants to be your friend... well, enough spoilers! All it should be said here - that pic's scribe Victoria Tennant wrote clever and memorable tale with twisted bittersweet ending. Tennant's script and Matthew Irmas' even direction allow all the actors to show their best. There are many nice cameos in the movie - including Louise Fletcher as judge in court, Beverly D'Angelo as barmaid and Stuart Wilson as Pen's ex-husband who gets asleep every time he hears the word "sex". Jennifer Tilly is very touching as silly, funny and optimistic Edie. Scott Glenn finds a rare opportunity to show his gift for physical and verbal comedy as Harry, ageing seducer who had slept with all women in Reno and now has to pay for his past sins. Glenn's role in "Edie and Pen" shows that his acting range is much wider than his traditional action guy image - his irresponsible and restless Harry stirs up laughter, pity, anger and, at the end, deep sympathy. But, of course, movie belongs to Stockard Channing who proves here that her character in "The First Wives' Club" had an option - not extremely romantic, but... Maybe Pen's new boyfriend will prove to be capable of loving a woman almost as much as he loves his dog.

Talky Chick Flick

[Theo Robertson · 3/10 · 22 April 2004]

I noticed the IMDB give the title of this movie as EDIE & PEN where as in Britain it`s called DESERT GAMBLE which is a far more exciting title . What does a movie named DESERT GAMBLE conjure up to you ? A war film set in the North African campaign of 1942 ? A heist movie of likable geezers going to Vegas to rip off the mob ? Or perhaps even a disaster movie about a plane crashing into the Sahara . Nothing as exciting as that happens in this film so I guess EDIE & PEN is a more accurate title since it doesn`t really conjure up anything

And nothing really happens in the movie either , it`s basically a low concept dialogue driven chick flick about two women who meet in a red neck bar , one of whom has a sort of relationship with a red neck and the two women swap life stories . I guess girls who are not expecting too much might enjoy it and it is very inoffensive but that`s hardly massive praise

Weak story line.

[P51Jay · 2/10 · 30 June 2005]

I lived in Reno for 18 years and was there when this movie was filmed. I had no idea it was being filmed and believe me Reno is the Biggest Little City in the World, and if a movie is being filmed there it's almost impossible to not know. Yet, I had no idea this was going on. The concept of the story is reasonable, but the concept is all that is delivered. All the fluff story propped up around the concept just is not good. Scott Glen seems to be just about the level of a leering drunk and how Pen "falls" for him is just not apparent. Jennifer Tilly is lovely and carries her part very well, but Scott Glen and Stockard Channing's characters require more script quality before they could be held responsible for the out come. (Bad writing can not be overcome by the best of them.) As I watched I saw them drive from the Hilton to the Airport through downtown and rolled my eyes at the director's ploy to present Reno's bright lights as window dressing. If you don't know Reno, all is OK and the director's trick is well received.

Cool movie.

[EmptyLeo · 8/10 · 23 August 1999]

I watched this late one night when nothing was on. I chose it for Jennifer Tilly. She's cool. I like Scott Glenn too. Ever since Silverado I've liked him. And he was excellent in The Silence of the Lambs. This is a good story about two women who quickly became friends. Shared stories and secrets about men (read Helen's review for more info).

I was glad I watched it. Hadn't seen Stockard Channing much lately. She was in The First Wive's Club just for a bit. I should have seen the ending coming where Edie's new boyfriend is Pen's old... oh nevermind, go watch it.

7.5 out of 10

Cold and lonely winter night, curl up with ice cream and cat kind of movie

[katzinoire · 8 October 2004]

Edie would be annoying if not for having Pen as a sidekick. To Pen, Edie is the reflection of what she used to be before her now ex-husband sucked the joy out of her with lies and betrayal.

***Spoiler Alert*** At first when Pen realizes that Edie is the woman her husband has left her for, she is understandably angry, but then realizes a few things: 1.She probably was at one time "the other woman", even though she may not have known it and 2. Edie is clearly unaware that Victor is even married. This isn't spoken, but rather how Pen reacts to Edie's attachment to a lighter that was given to Edie by Victor. ***End Spoiler***

Chatty? Yes, totally, but for me, this was a fun compilation of Hollywood's finest, appearances by Michael McKean, Michael O'Keefe, Scott Glenn, Beverlt D'Angelo-it just looks like they had fun doing this wacky movie. It may not be Oscar worthy, but definitely a good view.

ONE OF MY FAVORITES

[EMBYEYE · 10/10 · 27 March 2001]

I loved this film. It was funny, clever and touching. Great cast! Jennifer Tilly was sweet and innocent even in her low cut dresses. There were so many cameos it was fun to try and pick everybody out.There's a great shot at the end where everybody re-appears to see Randy Travis perform. Pretty much of a chick flick but great just the same.

A fun film

[irmamarie-937-495593 · 10/10 · 19 January 2023]

I don't get those that rated this poorly. The cast was great. I have always liked Stockard Channing, Jennifer Tilly, and Scott Glenn so it was great to see the three of them together. The cameos were great. So many wonderful actors.

Stockard Channing has proven she can portray a sophisticated woman or a party girl. In this movie, she does a little of both.

Jennifer Tilly did a great job with her role. She is wild and lovable.

Scott Glenn has proven he can play a wide variety of roles. When I saw him in Urban Cowboy, I hated his character. His character in Silverado was stern, smart, and funny. In this film, he is a regular man living life.

I have watched this film several times over the years and love it. It is one of my comfort movies.