Film
What's on at the cinema plus reviews of the latest movie and DVD releases
Bookmark this pageWillie & Phil (1980)
Director: Paul Mazursky
Movie review
From Time Out Film Guide
For sheer consistency in chronicling a decade's evolution of chic American manners, mores, and ménages, Mazursky has few rivals. But as Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice have been supplemented in his trend-spotter's log-book by the likes of Alex & Blume & Harry & Tonto (and the strangely anonymous Unmarried Woman), his satirical edge has become blunted to a dull indulgence. Accordingly, Willie & Phil - optimistically and improbably rhymed with Truffaut's Jules and Jim - are let off much too lightly as they pussyfoot around Margot Kidder (as the quicksilver Jeannette) while the '70s trickle away in the background. Undecided whether he's shooting an up-market buddy-love saga or simply shuffling a modish three-card deck, Mazursky piles on the nostalgic Age-of-Aquarius ephemera and shies away from the sexual grit, while Ontkean and the likeable Sharkey wrestle in awe with roles once earmarked for Pacino and Woody Allen. Wry, but on the rocks.Author: PT
Cast & crew
Director: Paul Mazursky
Producer: Paul Mazursky, Tony Ray
Cast: Michael Ontkean, Margot Kidder, Ray Sharkey, Jan Miner, Tom Brennan, Julie Bovasso, Natalie Wood, Laurence Fishburne full cast
Duration: 116 mins
Most popular on this site
Top Stories
Has David Cronenberg turned tame?
Has director David Cronenberg veered too far from his radical and bloody roots with new film 'A Dangerous Method'?
The 10 worst date movies
Just in time for Valentine's Day, we present ten of the least romantic films ever made
Where to watch this year's Oscar-nominated films
Find out where to watch 2012's Oscar-nominated films in London cinemas
10 unlikely badboy biopics
Featuring Phil Collins, Jeremy Clarkson, Nick Clegg, David Starkey and a host of other unlikely subjects
Interview: Sean Durkin on 'Martha Marcy May Marlene'
The first-time director of the brilliant new thriller discusses religious cults and robot boxing
Pop-up cinema for Valentine's Day
Side-step romantic clichés with some alternative Valentine’s viewing
What do you think?
Post your review now