The West Side Waltz

I remember seeing this film when it originally aired. Thanksgiving night of 1995. I fell in love with the characters. It really is a New York City film. The titles open with glorious Aeriel shots of the world trade center, central park, and the busy envrioment of west 72nd street.

Shirley Maclaine and Liza Minnelli are perfect foils for each other. Maclaine is delightful as the curmudgeonly Margaret Mary Elderdice . Made Bitter by time, her late husband and former room mate (who committed suicide when the bills got too high). Liza Minnelli cuts the mustard in this flick. Her portrayal of Cara is proof positive that she is indeed a very talented actress. Quite capable of playing great character roles. Not one trace of "LIZA" is on screen. Jennifer Grey is adorable (and quite stunning, albeit with the help of a plastic surgeon. Just watch Dirty Dancing and you'll see what I mean) . She displays great comic timing and is a good balance for her two very seasoned leading ladies. In the end Waltz is a story about the human condition, Self discovery, making peace within one's self and finding one can change . It is a tale of growing friendship . My only complaint was...I wanted more! Mr.Thomspon should be commended for rendering a top notch adaptation of his already clever and heart-warming stage play.

For the longest time it was only possible to find this flick on Lifetime. Usually about 3 am in the morning. This past winter it was released on DVD . Grab it if you can.

I'm not really sure how to categorize this movie. It's a friendship movie, it's supposed to be a comedy, it's supposed to be a drama, it's mostly about older people, and it's one of those "older person and younger person help each other" movies. And, pretty much every twenty minutes, the screen fades to black, making you think it's the end, but the movie keeps going. Each section seems to take a new direction, so it's not really a comedy or a drama or a romance or a tearjerker.

If a movie with a handicapped Shirley MacLaine, a socially awkward Liza Minnelli, a homeless Kathy Bates, and a heavily made-up Jennifer Grey, all helping each other with friendship appeals to you, give it a whirl. It's only 90 minutes, and even though it's a little dated, it won't hurt you.

I don't know why this gets such low reading. It has a wonderful cast, a great script, and I didn't see anything wrong with the filming. The only thing missing is an R rating. It is heartwarming and reflects reality. Probably why it doesn't sell. People don't like to be reminded of their mortality.

This wonderful and well-written story is highlighted by fine acting and excellent use of the setting, New York City's West Side.

Liza's performance was absolutely brilliant and one is immediately reminded that she is, after all, an academy award winning actress of immense talent. Kathy Bates is also utterly convincing as a homeless woman. Shirley McLaine was an excellent choice for her role. I imagine it must have been difficult to portray a woman whose physical disability gradually worsens during the course of the movie.

When I noticed this movie while flipping through channels, I hadn't planned on doing more than scanning the first few minutes. It pulled me in and I invested 2 hours watching it. Time well spent!

Originally a Broadway play with Katharine Hepburn and Dorothy Loudon, "West Side Waltz" is one of those projects that should have remained on the stage. However, Liza Minnelli is wonderfully cast against type as a reserved, albeit needy, 50ish type longing for companionship. She is the only reason to see this movie, as MacLaine is a bore and Jennifer Grey is simply annoying.