Maxie

In another spin on "Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde", Glenn Close plays Jan, woman who gets comically possessed by the ghost of Maxie, a 1920s flapper who got killed just as she was about to star in a movie. Sure enough, Jan goes back and forth between herself and Maxie at the most inconvenient times, and Maxie still wants to debut in a movie.

Yeah, how many movies can there be like this? But "Maxie" isn't all that bad. True, it's not a masterpiece by any stretch, but the pace keeps it from getting boring. It shows that Close can do silly comedy when she tries. Mandy Patinkin, as Jan's husband, seems even more fit for his role. Nothing special, but OK. Also starring Ruth Gordon.

Maxie is an absolutely delightful comedy based upon the 1973 novel by Jack Finney, `Marion's Wall'. Filmed primarily in San Francisco, this 1985 movie stars Glenn Close and Mandy Patinkin with the wonderful Ruth Gordon in a supporting role. Close plays a double role as Patinkin's wife, Jan, and as Maxie, a 20's vaudeville actress, who returns to this plane to occupy Jan's body. Glenn Close is really fabulous in these roles. This is a great movie based on the fact that it is a great story, with excellent acting. Maxie doesn't rely on massive special effects or inane contemporary music. It is classic comedy that leaves you feeling good when the film is over. This is 98 minutes of excellent entertainment that I would highly recommend.

I loved every minute of it; finally found a rare movie without gore, blood, violence, foul language, obscenities, brutality, car chases, guns, fighting - just pure, clean fun! Why isn't it shown lately??? we do get whole load of repeats of movies that contain all the above vile, yet this is never shown - got it as pure chance long time ago on a video. All main line channels show repeats after repeats specially at Christmas, but never this. WHY? SO BRING THIS OUT!! and please do not make a new version of it - every time anyone does a "new" version it is inferior to the old one, just leave it alone and show it please. Glenn Close is such fun, she seems to revel in this role - what shame she did not do more like it! TV channels please take notice!

This charming film doesn't get the credit it deserves. It has a first-rate cast and tells its tale in a gentle and whimsical manner. Glenn Close plays Jan, a demure housewife possessed by the ghost of a twenties starlet flapper who died on the verge of her big break. As "Maxie" Close embodies the girl's longing to prove herself and see what might have been. Along for the ride is Mandy Patinkin as the hapless husband, Nick, who truly loves his wife, but is overwhelmed by Maxie and her zest for life. Also there, in her final picture, is Ruth Gordon, who was Maxie's dance partner in vaudeville and is now the landlady of the apartment building where Jan and Nick live. Gordon was always a scene stealer, but in this film she brings a fragility and tenderness to her role that is unlike any of her previous work. The scene were she comes face to face with Maxie for the first time in sixty years really brings a tear to your eye.

The critics excoriated the film, mostly complaining that it wasn't something other than what it was trying to be -a light and frothy bit of silliness that made you laugh and have a very pleasant hour and a half.

Nick played by Mandy Patinkin(Criminal Minds & Dead Like Me) and Jan, Glen Close (Dangerous Liasons and Reversal of Fortune) move into a new apartment in San Fransisco. When weird things start happening and Jan starts behaving oddly, the landlady Mrs Lavin, Ruth Gordon (Every which way but loose) tells them about Maxie, a 1920's potential starlet, who died before an audition that would make her a real star..

As it turns out Maxie has found a way to take over Jan. Close plays both parts wonderfully, switching seamlessly between the flighty, flirty, flapper and the conservative Jan.

My favourite scene has to be the Bye bye blackbird solo. Close is fabulous.... Ruth Gordon is exquisitely scatty, yet poignant in places. Patinkin is sadly mediocre, but good to see he went on to more suitable roles..

Maxie is using Jan's body to try to see if she'd have made the big time had she lived long enough..... Will she succeed?? You have to watch and see for yourself.....