I was expecting more of a drama than a comedy. Watching someone's life fall apart just isn't that funny. The only way you can really get any humour out of this is if the behaviour becomes too exaggerated, in a War of the Roses style... So the material was a bit of an uneasy blend, but having said that, Meryl and Jack are both such fine actors that the insight you get into pain from their faces alone is enough to compensate for some anaemic writing.
It's worth watching to see how two talented people take something ordinary and make a little bit of gold from it.
There is a flavour of bitterness here that Ephron has since tossed away for more commercial and uplifting formula. When working with performers who find themselves more at home in a light and breezy milieu, perhaps Ephron was wise to make the change. The two actors make this what it is.
It's worth watching to see how two talented people take something ordinary and make a little bit of gold from it.
There is a flavour of bitterness here that Ephron has since tossed away for more commercial and uplifting formula. When working with performers who find themselves more at home in a light and breezy milieu, perhaps Ephron was wise to make the change. The two actors make this what it is.