Vidas Partidas

I am an unconditional fan of Brian Dennehy ( like Charles Durning ). I like them physically and generally like the characters they portray in films. This film is a little different because it is immoral, and I'm not quite sure why the director made it. The offending item ( above and beyond Dennehy himself of course ) is Jacqueline Bisset whom I love very much too - a real lady with a lovely face and accent. This charm cannot hide the fact that Dennehy does the dirty on his wife who is far less attractive ( I presume this was done on purpose to manipulate the spectator ! ) The punishment for this is that this happiness cannot last because the third party is condemned to die of cancer, but what is almost unbelievable is Dennehy's request to his wife that he goes to live with Bisset for the time of her illness, and that his wife should take him back when Bisset snuffs it. What a cheek ! Of course the ending is otherwise and he gets the just desserts. In spite of the immoral story line, I found the acting very good and plausible, I am biased because I love both of the main actors but cared little for Dennehy's wife who does not come over as an attractive person. In short, I would recommend the film for the actors and acting but would warn would-be viewers of the immorality of its plot. Obviously in France ( and perhaps certain other European countries like the UK or Holland ) this sort of behaviour does go on in real life and the media would have us believe ( I hasten to add, though, that it cuts no ice with me ! ) that it is " normal " but viewers in other countries may well be shocked by certain aspects of this film. You are warned !

I really am not sure what the self acclaimed 'morality police' are doing here (lol) but I saw this movie completely differently.

Here is a situation that moves us and asks us to explore the frailty and imperfections in human relationships. There are two lines in the movie that I found poignant - 'A relationship is an idea' and 'Some people just fit'.

The word,'immoral', that has been quoted on this review list several times is an objective word. This movie is an intelligent, thinking person's film. It explores love, relationships, commitment and how things are not always black and white; and as much as we try to deny it, it may be possible to love two people at the same time. I am also tempted to quote John Lennon - 'Life is what happens to you when you're busy making other plans'.

Personally I would much rather watch an exploration of the human psyche in relationships than murder (which is a subject I believe of many Brian Dennehy films).

I must also comment on the 'spoiler' that was in one of the reviews on here about the end of the movie. I won't comment on the ending as the other reviewer did as I don't wish to ruin it for anyone but I will say that I saw the ending in a different light to what the other reviewer did so don't let it 'spoil' the movie for you.

Good acting for the most part, but not much of a script. Tim Lounibos gives a wonderful understated performance. Brian Dennehy makes the most of his role. Blythe Danner was very good. Jacqueline Bisset was good, but could use a good hair conditioner. The plot is typical movie of the week. I did enjoy seeing the performers named as well as Jessica Water and Tonea Stewart. Watch it for the acting rather than the plot.

Well acted but a very shallow script.Brian Deneheny doesn't get much to work with and his interaction with the vibrant Jackie Bissett is uneven The premise of an affair with a dying woman holds lots of promise for a deep and satisfying plot. However, it just floats on obvious developments and ends in a whimper.

Well among those things are Blythe Danner, a good supporting cast, and a satisfying ending. See, this jerk of an architect falls for a new associate on a project he is assigned. She is a neo-hippie type with good legs. Never mind that he has a wife (Blythe) of many years, and a beautiful daughter just beginning to spread her wings. The associate with whom our "hero" has been carrying on a passionate affair discovers she has leukemia and only a few months to live. So what does this paragon family man do? Why he leaves home to be with his paramour in her last days, expecting his wife to welcome him back when it is all over. Surprise, surprise. Wifey kicks his, um, well she kicks him out. That's the satisfying part of the story. The last we see of the architect, he is drinking alone in a sushi bar.

If it were not for Blythe Danner, this soapy trash would not be worth your time. I really have a hard time believing Polly Bergen wrote it.