Just Between Friends

I remember watching a movie starring Mary Tyler Moore with my mom; I turned to her and said, "She's the lady from Ordinary People, right?" My mom cracked up and told me that was like someone saying, "Jane Fonda's the lady who does exercise videos, right?" As embarrassing as it is to admit, I've never seen Mary Tyler Moore's television work, so I only know her as a dramatic actress.

In Just Between Friends, two women become friends during an exercise class. They get along so well that Mary invites Christine Lahti over to her house for a small dinner party and to meet her family. Mary introduces her two children and husband, Ted Danson, but there's a problem. Ted and Christine already know each other. They've been having an affair! The dinner party scene when the two lovers are "introduced" is absolutely hilarious.

As Ted tries to reconcile his feelings for both women, with his best friend Sam Waterston giving advice, Christine has to handle her guilt now that she's been exposed to Ted's happy home. Does she break things off? Does she tell Mary what's going on? Watch this fantastic film and find out that some issues are best handled just between friends.

Writer-director Allan Burns created three-dimensional characters and a very fascinating, emotional plot. The story will really make you think, and the acting is fantastic. Watch the preview to see if you'd like it, but if we share similar taste, I'm sure you will.

While I enjoyed the movie, it is clear Mary Tyler Moore's character is supposed to be around 10 years younger than the actress actually was at the time of filming. In the film she spoke of having another child and at 50 (As she was when this was filmed), that wasn't likely at the time. Christine Lahti and Sam Waterston shined as supporting characters. Definitely worth the watch.

The director allows his film to run on well after it has made it's point but it's punchy and immediate in a sitcom kind of way. Cast is great, especially the incomparable Lahti as a no nonsense tv reporter. Biting script has its moments. When asked by her grandmother to sing with the choir, Chip's daughter complains that she's atheist. "So? You can hum" replies grandma. The scene where the two illicit lovers accidently meet at a family dinner is a priceless gem, especially Danson being so distracted he puts the milk in the cupboard. A touching near fable on the need for forgiveness.

This movie has the unlikely premise of two woman becoming friends all the while unaware that they're in love with the same man. Mary Tyler Moore is Holly, the wife. Christine Lahti is Sandy the girlfriend. Ted Danson (ugly as ever) is Chip. This movie wants you to believe that a woman who is career driven, has a foul mouth, lives on junk food, chain smokes, wears funky (a.k.a. ugly) clothes & has big hair she's automatically "interesting" (Sandy). If she's married & loves her husband, lives a healthy lifestyle, has two teenage kids & a beautiful home, doesn't work outside that home, & is a kind person she's "boring" (Holly). The message is pretty twisted. This movie is loaded with clichés, is unrealistic & has a TV movie feel to it even though it was released in theaters. Despite it's flaws, the soap opera plot does keep you interested, but the storyline drags on at times.

Situational drama from MTM scribe Allan Burns in his only feature film. Seemingly conceived as a vehicle for Mary Tyler Moore it doesn't really reach that potential due to some fundamental errors in casting.

That's not to say that the casting of the other roles is bad, it's not but the problem is that Mary, while fine in her part, is about a decade too old for her character. Not to be ageist but from references made by Mary and Ted Danson's couple it's understood that they are supposed to be the same age and they are clearly not. It's a distraction that continues even after Danson is out of the film.

All that aside the film is entertaining, if not terribly inventive, thanks to the solid work of the cast. Beside Mary and Danson Sam Waterson is endearingly nervous and a bit twitchy as Ted's best friend. But the performer who strolls right in and takes control of the movie and walks away with it is the infinitely talented Christine Lahti. Both tough and vulnerable she cuts through any potential sugary elements the film risks falling into, and there are several opportunities along the way.

Overall a film that at times bears too close a resemblance to a TV movie of the week but is made worth catching by the strong performers.