Film
What's on at the cinema plus reviews of the latest movie and DVD releases
Bookmark this pageJudy Berlin (1998)
Director: Eric Mendelsohn
Movie review
From Time Out Film Guide
Ever feel that life's passing you by? Perhaps the torpor afflicting David (Harnick), a 30-year-old failed film-maker who returns home to Long Island, is infectious, because his parents (Kahn and Dishy) seem to be suffering from related conditions. 'I feel like I'm still 14,' his mom reflects. 'I just don't know what I'm doing,' his father repeats, on the verge of acknowledging his amorous feelings for a fellow teacher, Sue Berlin (Barrie). Babylon is that kind of a town where nothing much changes, David reminds himself. Then he bumps into an old face from school, Judy (Falco), and of course they reminisce. But Judy still has plans for the future. The film's grainy b/w visuals take on a luminous, poetic quality in the second half, when an eclipse plunges the town into darkness. That's the most obvious 'artistic' moment, and perhaps the most heavy-handed. The film's virtues are quiet and self-effacing - the director's sensitivity to body language and personal space, his respect for each of his characters. Marry the finely tuned, mature sensibility with a droll comic touch and you have the makings of a film-maker of rare distinction.Author: TCh
Cast & crew
Director: Eric Mendelsohn
Producer: Rocco Caruso
Cast: Barbara Barrie, Bob Dishy, Edie Falco, Carlin Glynn, Aaron Harnick, Bette Henritze, Madeline Kahn, Julie Kavner, Anne Meara full cast
Duration: 94 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