Finnegan Begin Again

This is a movie so relevant to baby-boomers --starting with a depiction of someone taking care of a relative (in this case, a wife) with dementia, and still trying to have a little bit of a life -- something many of us cope with on a daily basis. I first saw this movie on HBO when it came out in 1985, curious because the NPR had completely trashed it, completely mischaracterizing the relationship between Robert Preston and his wife, the sad, lost Sylvia Sidney. Sam Waterston isterrific as the lily-livered man who cheats on his wife with Mary Tyler Moore, and the friendship between Moore and Preston is grown-up and just lovely. This movie is impossible to find except on VHS, which is really a shame.

"Finnegan Begin Again", originally an HBO film, features the great Robert Preston (in his second-to-last film performance) and Mary Tyler Moore in a lovely, gently quirky tale of a May-December romance. Mike Finnegan (Preston), a newspaper columnist who ghosts as an advice-for-the-lovelorn matron, is married to Margaret, a woman who is not only a few years older than he but also suffering from what is apparently (but unnamed) dementia; he accepts the fact that, beyond whatever deep love he may have for his wife, that she is, in fact, lost in the mists of her dreams and recollections, a state reflected in their once-grand home in a once-grand, but now unsafe, area: it is as cluttered with remnants of the past as Margaret's mind, perhaps even more so. By chance - and here the writers have cleverly avoided the "meet cute" - on the bus, Mike meets Liz Dehan, a widowed art teacher, who is on her way to meet the very married Paul, a funeral director, at their usual, seedy motel room. Mike fancies himself an arm-chair Sherlock Holmes, watching people for the sheer interest in them but seeing clues as to what their lives are like, and he openly practices this on Liz, much to her dismay. Despite this tense beginning between them, a warm friendship develops and they find that there may, in fact, be more than friendship at play. Much like other Mary Tyler Moore films, this is played as strictly "dramedy" and it strikes just the right chord while doing it. The chemistry between the cast as a whole, and Moore and Preston in particular, is palpable, warm, and real. The direction, by Joan Micklin Silver, is reliably sure-handed, and serves the film well. It's a funny, warm, lovely movie, one that should appeal not only to an older audience but those younger audiences with mature tastes. Currently available only on VHS, this is certainly a film worth discovering!

This film handled the subject of infidelity in a very human way: People who are with partners who are not right for the other, meet ones who are right for them, and engage in a relationship. It is interesting how the relationship was handled by the screenwriter, directer and producer: At first, Michael (Robert Preston) and Elizabeth (Mary Tyler Moore) are somewhat antagonistic toward each other, but each seem to thrive on the challenge and slight tension, rather than succumb to the bhoredom of things-as-they-are.

Preston's performance is classic: I especially enjoyed the scene where he forgot his laundry at the laundromat, because of the heated discussion he and Liz were having (he followed her in there). She later brought his laundry to him (at his place of work). I thought that was precious.

Waterson's performance was quite intense at times, as he bordered on obsessive, begging that Liz not leave him, and implying threats or crazy behavior if he does. The relationship between Michael and his wife is extremely real and is worth watching the movie for, just by itself. Often, there is a long convalescence before death, and it is not romantic. Michael did his best to do the right thing.

Although health-conscious Liz would have eventually been at odds with Michael's prolific drinking, these two had something to share, and did so. Excellent movie.

FINNEGAN BEGIN AGAIN was a delightful made for HBO TV movie about a lonely advice columnist (Robert Preston in a lovely performance), trapped into caring for his senile wife (Sylvia Sidney) who develops a relationship with a woman (Mary Tyler Moore) who is equally trapped in a dead end affair with a married man (Sam Waterston). This movie lovingly tells the story of two desperately lonely people, trapped in lives they don't know how to get out of and find solace and friendship in each other. The movie is well-written and directed and the stars, particularly Preston, are just wonderful. I don't know if this one is on DVD but it should be. If you can find it, try to catch this underrated gem.

Robert Preston is in so many movies I like with so many of my favorite leading ladies, that he's become one of my most favorite leading men! He's so great at playing a guy that we love to love, one that we root for!

And Mary! Mary, Mary, Mary...Dear, sweet Mary, as her TV co-stars would say- is at her sweetest here. I've never seen such tenderness from her, so much so, that it has made me see her in a whole new light. I have always been her fan, which is why I watched this movie in the first place, but here, she made me want a hug! She made me want her to hold me, she was so kind and understanding and tender, that I totally understood why the men in this film were so crazy for her- and it wasn't just cause she could turn the world on with her smile! This is one of her best roles!

This is one of those simple little films that is all about character development. It's a slow-burning love-triangle, romance movie, that's a little rough around the edges in some ways, but ultimately very good. This is a film that builds empathy, as it's easy to see oneself in the predicaments of the characters. This is a film that will have raised ones emotional IQ by the time it's over. It's a sweet film, filled with heavy themes, done with a light touch and a dash of humor.

My favorite lines in the movie:

MTM: "I love you for doing my ironing!" Robert P.: "Now say it again, for no reason at all." MTM: "I love you, for no reason at all!" *Both break into laughs*

And that about sums it up!

Recommended!