Having It All

I happen to be a fan of this movie, which I saw when it was originally on television, way back when.

Dyan Cannon is a beautiful, glamorous riot in this story of the woman who has the best of both worlds - on two coasts.

In New York, she's a successful fashion designer who wears gorgeous clothes and has her hair in an upsweep. She lives in a a gorgeous apartment with her upright, maybe somewhat uptight businessman husband, played by Barry Newman.

On the west coast, her hair is loose around her shoulders, she wears casual clothes, and she hangs out with a young, hippie-ish artist, Hart Bochner, as she eats popcorn and lounges in the hot tub. She's a fashion designer out there, too. And she sort of marries him, making her a bigamist.

Cannon transforming herself on those many coast to coast flights is a delight as she tries to have it all. She is ably supported by Sylvia Sidney as her mother and Barry Newman as her New York husband.

The movie is not only madcap but serious when the character has to do some real soul-searching. All in all, it's very enjoyable film and if it comes around, don't miss it.

Successful fashion designer Dyan Cannon is a bicoastal bigamist who wonders if she can have her cake and eat it too; seems she has one husband on the East Coast (suit-and-tie type Barry Newman) and another on the West Coast (hirsute comic strip artist Hart Bochner). Both men adore her, but how long will it be before one spouse finds out about the other? It's not a suspenseful plot conceit, but it's at least a marginally enjoyable one, with Cannon juggling her schedules like a mad woman. The opening montage looks like an '80s TV commercial (what with Dyan staring out her limousine window at the Manhattan skyline like a tourist, and later riding a horse through Central Park), but the cast is a good one, including Sylvia Sidney as Cannon's mink coat-wearing mama. Miles Goodman's music sounds like the worst of "Heaven Can Wait" and "Tootsie", and the cinematography from Michael D. Margulies isn't flattering (particularly to Newman, who looks cadaverous). Cannon keeps her spirits up, and has some funny business at the airport changing outfits and also at two different Thanksgiving dinners. Released theatrically overseas as "A Husband on Every Coast". ** from ****

I simply can't understand the 5.3 average IMDB rating. I think it should be so much higher. Yes, it is an early 80's movie and dated, but the comedy and outstanding cast more than makes up for it. For a made-for-TV movie that debuted in Oct 1982 on ABC, I think it is very well done. Dyan Cannon is the epitome of comedy and she has such an infectious laugh in the movie. I also think they do a really good job of character development, especially her relationship with actor Barry Newman. They have really good chemistry in the show. There are so many comedic moments that will keep you in stitches, especially the airport scenes. There are however, very endearing scenes where the movie takes pauses on important moments. The movie flows really well, yet doesn't feel rushed or too slow. It truly is one of my favorite feel good movies. If you haven't seen the film, stream it and give it a try!

But barry newman is always a buzz kill... no matter what he's in it reeks to high heaven ... took a long to time to decide why .. he can't act and he isn't a comedian and hart buchner can't do either as well ... thinking i should be watching something else with substance