I'm Dancing as Fast as I Can

While everyone tends to cite An Unmarried Woman as Jill Clayburgh's Oscar snub, I would name I'm Dancing as Fast as I Can instead. She wasn't even nominated! If she had been, she wouldn't have stood a chance, though; it was Meryl Streep's year for Sophie's Choice, so all the other women should have predicted their losses gracefully. Nevertheless, Jill's tour-de-force was arguably the greatest of her career. She played a documentarian who developed a dangerous habit on pills and nearly destroyed herself. Based on a true story, this cautionary tale showed any audience member who thought valium wasn't serious that it indeed was. While going through withdrawals, Jill screamed, cried, hallucinated, and tried to attack her protector, her long-suffering husband, Nicol Williamson. Nicol had to literally tie her to a chair to prevent her from harming herself or escaping the apartment and running wild in the street.

Jill's performance is enough of a draw, but if it weren't, you could watch it for the supporting cast. Nicol is loving, generous, and completely devoted, so when Jill takes her terrible moods out on him, it's tragic to watch. Geraldine Page plays a terminally ill woman Jill is filming for her latest documentary. She faces her mortality bravely and expresses herself unflinchingly, on the camera and off. This isn't exactly an entertaining drama to watch, but there's certainly a lot of talent to appreciate.

This movie is fairly unremarkable, but the real highlight is to see Jon Liebling's name on the credits. Anyone that has followed Jon's stellar film career knows that Liebling adds an immense amount of creativity and uniqueness to every project he is a part of. Liebling was only 21 at the time he worked on this picture, but his enormous talent - talent that transcends his young age - resonates throughout the film. Anyone who enjoyed Jon Liebling's stunning work in and on films such as, "Endangered Species" (who could forget his riveting, yet understated performance as "the steward) should run to rent - if not BUY - this DVD if for no other reason than to bask in the glow that emanates from the screen as his credit rolls. As fans worldwide can attest, Jon Liebling is an unrivaled force in cinema - though he left the industry years ago, choosing instead to live the quiet life in idyllic Southern Vermont. Even still, his work - as well as his formidable contributions to the industry - will be celebrated (and, imitated) for years to come.

This movie was written by Barbara Gordon and is the story of her Valium addiction, withdrawal and recovery.

This movie is really accurate in regards to the pharmacology of her addiction and its really excellent in the portrayal of the therapy process as well.

I think that it is one of those great movies that is *true*. The movie is about real life and it is fantastic. It has integrity as a film. The cast is exceptional, and I dig Dianne Wiest in this movie especially. I also really enjoyed Geraldine Page's character... she reminded me of Maude from Harold & Maude, another favourite movie of mine...

A restructuring of Barbara Gordon's memoir about a successful female TV producer who is hooked on Valium--and who tries to kick cold turkey, with devastating results. A subplot regarding cancer patient Geraldine Page is expanded for the film (and seemingly takes over, even contributing the title in the film's dialogue!), but this didn't bother me as Jill Clayburgh's lead portrayal carries the movie and gives it strength and sarcastic bite. There are all sorts of conflicted emotions running rampant through the material, and the direction (while not smooth) does manage to sort it all out for the viewer. This was the first time I had ever seen Dianne Wiest in anything and she really impressed me as Clayburgh's therapist (however, Wiest uses all the acting tricks we've seen her do since then, and frankly they're starting to become old hat). The film has some editing problems and looks a little muddy, but I found Clayburgh's struggle intense and real, and her performance brave. *** out of ****

There's really nothing to recommend this dreary, and dreary looking film based on Barbara Gordon's account of her battle with Valium. Too bad this film wasn't around during Gordon's struggle because it has the same sedative effect as Valium. It's a Lifetime Channel-style film that was released by Paramount pictures in 1982 during the Nancy Reagan's "just say no" period, and it deservedly sank without a trace. Clayburgh is a trouper, but she is made to look ridiculous in the over-the-top scenes of her character's drug withdrawal. The film is remarkably barren, lacks genuine conflict, characterization, ambiance, or interest, and it never gets inside the head of its main character. Aside from Clayburgh, the most notable thing about the film is Nicol Williamson's performance as Clayburgh's boy friend; he creates one of the most repellent characters I've ever encountered on stage or screen; surely, not intentionally. The film is directed by the numbers, and ironically this film is less about Valium, than a veritable Valium itself. It's best recommended as a safe, non-habit forming sleep aid.