Just Tell Me What You Want

Alan King's world falls apart when long time mistress Ali Macgrue breaks up with him and marries much younger Peter Weller. Snobby comedy isn't for all taste, but is expertly performed and is very, very funny, especially the scene in the department store. Alan King is displayed at his absolute as is Loy in a quite performance. Terrific entertainment. 9 out 10.

This under-rated movie that no one ever saw is worth a look. Alan King and Ali McGraw make a great couple, believe it or not. Dina Merrill is hysterically funny as Alan's wife, Connie. She is out of her mind and his affair is not helping. Myrna Loy, a screen legend, does not disappoint with her small part as Alan's right arm/valuable assistant. Also along for the ride are Keenan Wynn, Peter Weller and Tony Roberts.

Myrna Loy's last great theatrical film role comes in this comedy starring Ali McGraw and Alan King. This the story of a girl Friday mistress and her campaign to make it legal with her boss.

King's role is a combination of William Randolph Hearst and Louis B. Mayer and like them he's the head of a communications/entertainment conglomerate which he rules by fear and intimidation. His normal conversational tone is a soft bellow. His assistant and mistress is Ali McGraw ho if she can't make it legal would like to get out from under.

The problem is King Already has a wife, the beautiful but fragile Dina Merrill. So like Marion Davies she has to be content with being a rather public mistress. But McGraw is running out of patience.

Loy is King's ever so efficient secretary and keeper of the keys to his kingdom. During her years at MGM Loy had the perfect role model. Ida Koverman was Louis B. Mayer's secretary and she functioned the same way that Loy does vis a vis King.

As for King the tantrums he throws are the stuff that made Louis B. Mayer a legend among the moguls. He certainly had Myrna there to give him pointers.

King and McGraw are a well matched pair of leads. Sidney Lumet got some great performances out of all the cast he assembled.

Best scene: McGraw encountering King at Bergdorf-Goodman's. Can't say more this has to be seen.

Just Tell Me What You Want, one great comedy.

Alan King is absolutely terrific as a vulgar, sharp, overbearing millionaire who is keeping Ali Mc Graw as his mistress. She can't take anymore of him so she starts seeing a young playwright (Peter Weller). Since King is the driven type who HATES to lose, he does everything he can to win her back. This is a highly cynical but also highly enjoyable comedy with some great one liners and a stark sense of amorality throughout(The final scene just shows that everyone has their price). Even McGraw is less lockjawed than normal.Directed by the king of New York movies, Sidney Lumet.

Saw this years ago when it came out. Now seeing it again through older eyes makes it even better. While the relationships depicted are predatory--eat or be eaten--they still have a certain sweetness to them. It's a uniquely well-done commentary on the rich. Fitzgerald was right: they're different.

Can't understand why there's no "memorable quotes" part of this entry.