Postcards from the Edge (1990)

My Review

The wit and humor of Carrie Fisher is on full display in “Postcards from the Edge.” It is basically the story of her relationship with her mother, the legendary star Debbie Reynolds; Fisher wrote the screenplay adapted from her own 1987 tome of the same name.

The stars of the show, Shirley MacLaine and Meryl Streep, play the mother-daughter roles to the hilt. Both are excellent with the combined comedic-dramatic material as well as some unexpected musical numbers. The skillful hand of producer-director Mike Nichols is very evident in this highly refined movie. Two Oscar nominations: One for Streep for Best Actress, and one for Best Original Song – “I’m Checkin’ Out,” music and lyrics by Sheldon Silverstein, performed by Streep.

The outstanding supporting cast includes Dennis Quaid, Gene Hackman, Richard Dreyfuss, Rob Reiner, Conrad Bain, Mary Wickes, Annette Bening, Simon Callow, Gary Morton, CCH Pounder, Anthony Heald, Michael Ontkean, Oliver Platt, Barbara Garrick, and Dana Ivey as the wardrobe mistress.

All contribute to the many laughs in the very watchable “Postcards from the Edge,” successful at the box office for producer Mike Nichols and Columbia Pictures. It was filmed entirely in Southern California, with Carly Simon supervising the music and composing the original film score!