Due donne e un assassino

This movie is highly underrated. The story line is good and keeps the viewer entertained while moving at a good pace. All of the actors do a fine job with their characters. If you're ever in the mood for a little laughter and need to get away from your troubles, watch this movie as I am sure you will enjoy the two hours of entertainment.

Few films have touched my life like this one. How can a person not laugh when a prostitute is accidentally killed when she's standing on the frame of a waterbed and it gives way and the mattress rolls over on her? Marlo Thomas, as new age health food store owner, Reeva Prosky gives the performance of a lifetime. She and Elaine May (Maryann Flan) not only share the same darma - they are the most humerous on-screen comedy duo in the history of film. The supporting cast is flawless - Peter Falk ("Why don't you come over and have some kelp?"); Melanie Griffith ("You mean like 'Finger-Licking Good' or 'Twenty Laps'?"); and Olympia Dukakis ("I have a husband with a heart condition and two children on drugs!") all bring new meaning to the word brilliant. The true star of the movie is Jeannie Berlin, who plays double duty as both the co- screenplay writer and the prostitute Crytsal. Not since William Shakespeare has there been such a story written for stage or screen. This movie changed my life.

It taught me the important life lesson that sometimes "the wise may act foolishly, the fool may act wisely, and the hunter may become the pray."

You don't know me, but take my word for it, this movie is a true gem. These high-power, smart, funny, comic savant women got together and (I'm sure) had the best time of their lives making this film. And we are the beneficiaries.

There are only a few wonderful "screwball" comedies. The last one I remember seeing was "What's Up Doc?", until now "In the Spirit", directed by Sandra Seacat, is right up there with the best of them. In fact, I might suggest that the "spirit" is not only Reva's inner guides, but the ghosts of Hitchcock ("Mr.& Mrs. Smith"), Cukor ("The Awful Truth"), and Hawks ("Bringing Up Baby") are alive and well and kicking up their heels!

I hope you have as much fun watching as I did!

"In The Spirit" (1990) is a refreshingly female-oriented buddy comedy-mystery (despite the title, the fantasy elements are mininal), with an eclectic and unapologetically middle-aged cast. Marlo Thomas and Elaine May look damn good in their fifties and are perfectly in tune with each other as a comedy team (with some serious moments, too). May also shares some scenes with her real-life daughter, Jeannie Berlin, who co-wrote the film and has a smaller but amusingly foul-mouthed role. With all that said, the film itself could have been funnier. It feels mild and low-budget, perhaps ideal viewing for a lazy evening. **1/2 out of 4.

I keep hoping that it will be released on DVD. I have a VHS copy (my 2nd actually, because I wore out the first) but I no longer have a VCR. What to do, what to do...

This film is a subtle, brilliant gem.

I was once in a bar in NYC and I realized it was the setting for the bar scene with Melanie Griffith. I got very excited - and tried to quiz the bartender about it. But she had no idea what I was talking about.

In any event, this is one of my all time favorite movies. So witty, so clever, so underplayed. Someday I will screen it for a huge audience. And show them. What is funny.