Review of Postcards from the Edge (1990) by Steve B — 11 Jul 2010

With a winning combination of a witty script, searing expose behind the scenes of the Hollywood circa and some excellent performamces, Postcards from the Edge is a great film from Mike Nichols, a director who knows how to get the best from his actors. Meryl Street is at her usual pitch-perfect best, bringing a heartfelt mixture of humour and genuine empathy to the role of a drug-addicted actress willing to do anything to get her life and career back o track. But it is Maclaine who dominates the film, comandeering her every sequence and giving a hilariously delirious turn as a washed up Hollywood diva, who in turn tries her very best to reinstall the maternal instincts and relationship with her estranged daughter.

Though the lightness of tone renders the supposedly dramatical elements like Suzannes drug-addiction battle a little false, nevertheless the film benefits from a confidently written script and some great cameo performances from the likes of Gene Hackman and Simon Callow.