Review of A Life in the Theatre (1993) by Dave W — 25 Jun 2016

For dealing with such an emotion-drenched profession as the theatre, this film is surprisingly bloodless and clinical. I'm not sure that opening up the stage production had the desired effect, as it creates a world in which Broderick and Lemmon talk pretty much only to each other; an abstract truth, perhaps, but a convention that stifles more than it illuminates.

As for the performances, Broderick doesn't do much more than hold his own (which, against a pro like Lemmon, is no small achievement. Meanwhile, the film's chief delight is watching Lemmon in his various "stage" appearances.

In some of these, whatever scenery is left standing is covered with bite marks -- good fun. Overall, though, the experience was marginally more enjoyable than sorting clothes.