Just Tell Me What You Want

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.

This movie became one of my favorites the instant I saw it and I didn't even like Ali MacGraw! But I like her just fine now. This is an absolutely top-notch production from start to finish and the performances are outstanding -- without exception. I mean here you have Alan King, with Keenan Wynn, and Myrna Loy as supporting actors! MacGraw and Peter Weller are very appealing as young lovers and MacGraw gives her perhaps only great performance. She pulls out all the stops in this one and couldn't be better. I just love this movie and can't understand why it wasn't a big hit. Well, I can, actually. It doesn't appeal to immature adolescent boys (including most Hollywood producers).

This slightly jaded look at the film industry, and at love, is the work of Jay Presson Allen, who also wrote "Marnie", "Cabaret", and "The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie". You will find her trademarks: fascinating characters and witty, insightful rapid-fire dialog.

Her 20th Century women lack sugar-coating. But here, a lot of the action concerns the close ties of an unconventional family. This, along with the heroine's ironic first-person narration, give the story a lighter, less distant feel. However, the direction and pacing are uneven and the picture has been overlooked.

A year after this film was released, Jay Presson Allen and Sidney Lumet wrote and produced Prince of the City, a much darker film about police corruption. It found a far warmer reception. And Alan King has a cameo, playing himself.

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.