dianesingerman

I never like Debra's character, she's my least favorite of the main cast, but she's especially unlikable here. She's downright physically and verbally abusive to Ray. And she won an award for this trash? Ridiculous. If this had been the first episode I'd seen of the series, I probably would've never watched it again, but fortunately I started out with "Talk to Your Daughter", which was a funny, uplifting, and well written episode which I rated a 10, while giving this storyline a 1. I disliked it that much, and don't plan to ever watch it again. It gave me headache and even depressed me for a few minutes, but I do have a life. Can't emphasize how much I disliked this terrible episode.

Underrated by most critics and audiences, except Siskel and Ebert who rightfully gave it two thumbs up, this is a touching, well done, and funny movie. It's a cult favorite for 12 step program members, and if you see the movie, you'll see why. Al Franken is excellent, and Vincent D'Onfrio as Stuart's tough talking and tough acting older brother, Donny, is excellent as well. The parents, played by Shirley Knight and Harris Yulin (who I've never seen before or since) were also very good. Lesley Boone who I had seen in a Disney movie, was funny and relatable as Stuart's overweight and overeater sister, but she was written realistically, not in a cruel way. Laura San Giacomo was great too, as Stuart's 12 step program advisor/sponsor. Don't miss this movie!

Brian Dennehy and Lynn Redgrave have real chemistry here, so much that I read that Lynn's long time husband, John Clark, accused her of having an offscreen affair with Brian. Conchatta Ferrell is also great as the cheated on wife. Anthony Zerbe has a small, but memorable role as Leona's (Lynn Redgrave's) former lover. The basic story is of two mismatched people, a college professor of literature and a married father maintenance man with only a sixth grade education falling passionately in love after he does some remodeling work on her house. It's a funny, sad, and touching movie. They become the talk of the town. It's surprising that it's not more widely known and available to stream given the popularity of Brian Dennehy, Lynn Redgrave, and Conchatta Ferrell who have all passed away in recent years. It's well worth a watch.