Reviews (9)

A surprisingly good film
At first glance, this film appears like many afterlife concept films of its time: flawed man dies, must return to earth to do a good deed, agents in heaven and hell await the outcome. But this movie is surprisingly different, on a number of counts. First, it is less a tale about morality and goodness than it is about gender. And as a comedy about gender, it is both excelent and unique. This is in no small part due to the extremely talented Ellen Barkin, whose skill at physical comedy shines in this role as a man on earth in a woman's body.

The film takes quite a few unexpected turns before ending much too neatly, its greatest flaw.

worth it for Barkin's acting
This well-done remake of "where's charlie" is made all that better by Ellen Barkin's performance.

Surprisingly deep
At first glance, this film looks like it's going to be a slapstick clone of so many other Blake Edwards' productions. And, in fact, the film does contain a great many scenes that would tend to belong under the "slapstick" genre. Surprisingly, however, there is much more to this film.

The plot centers around a man named Steve Brooks who is a womanizer squared. He's handsome, charming, well built & has a "way" with women. Unfortunately, he also has a heart of granite & leaves a wake of heartbroken women behind him.

One day, 3 ex-girlfriends plot their revenge. They lure him into a hot tub and murder him. Steve makes it to Purgatory, but is told he is right on the borderline between having his final destination be heaven or hell.

To break the deadlock, God (who is both male & female) sets forth a task: he must find a woman who truly likes him for who he is (and not for some fast-talking come-on line) in order for him to get inside the pearly gates. At the last moment, the Devil enters the picture and puts on a twist: Steve must get a woman to like him AS a woman!

Ellen Barkin is marvelous as a man trying to figure out how to be a woman. Barkin does a particularly impressive job moving like a man thru out the film and her performance truly steals the show.

So far, it sounds like your typical gender-switching comedy, only with a twist. However, the plot contains many more unanticipated twists. It also deals with some very serious issues that make it nothing short of a dark comedy. Again, this is quite unexpected from looking @ the cover.

I would recommend this film for people who enjoy getting a little more than what they bargained for. As the religious deities obviously parody the Judeo / Christian tradition, I would NOT suggest this film for people who are easily offended. In short, the film takes turns poking fun @ men, poking fun @ women & poking fun @ religion. It turns out to be a good comedy, but a dark one.

See How The Other Half Lives!
Blake Edwards does a fine job of directing his own original script for his gender, but not comically challenged film. .............. We open with advertising executive Steve Brooks (Perry King), a cad in every sense of the word. We are clear that Steve has broken many hearts, three of which turn on him at once. As three of his scorned women decide to lure him into a hotub where he thinks the women have invited him for a multiple seduction, they get their revenge and drown him instead. .............. Now Steve is dead, but hasn't quite reached heaven yet. I suppose you could say he's in purgatory, until, as god requires, he can get one female to truly love him. That would be a cinch for the unrepentant romeo except for the fact that at the last minute, the devil intervenes and decides he must get a female to truly love him AS another female, enter a great comic performance from Ellen Barkin. ................ Ellen Barkin playing a female version of Perry King's Steve was great casting, since the two DO look so similar. Barkin is truly comical as Amanda. She tells Ad boss Tony Dow, that she's Steve's sister, again, believable. What's not believable? A high powered Ad agency letting a top executives sister, fill his now high-heeled shoes. Hey, no one said this film was realistic. However, the stepping in and filling anothers shoes becomes forefront, as Amanda takes over for Steve. She also has to get used to being a woman. This is not an easy task. She desperately confesses to one of her murdering ex-lovers who she really is. The ex then comes to Amanda's aid, teaching her how to do all the things girls do. Barkin is worthy of Lucille Ball slapstick status as she hilariously teeters around on those hard to fill high-heel shoes, tripping and grasping walls. She must also remember that since she is a woman physically, mentally she must think and feel as one too, and can no longer covet fellow women. All that to keep in mind, while dealing with lascivious glances and advances from men as well. In particular she has to fight off boss Tony Dow, and figure out the relationship with her buddy from work played by Jimmy Smits. Amanda also tells Smits she's really Steve, and he will be the one person that can get her to heaven and out of this jam, but I can't tell you how, you'll have to watch and see! ................ The most confusing part for Amanda will be how she is to deal with a sought after client (Lorraine Bracco) who is a lesbian, and wants a relationship with her. She could wrap up the deal if she submits to Bracco's advances, but doesn't feel comfortable as a man inside a womans body, making love with a woman who doesn't like men. Confusing? Not at all. I can guarantee you'll be amused at every scene. ................ While "Switch" was not a tremendous commercial success for Blake Edwards like "10", amongst many others in his career, and treads in a similar water with his "Victor/Victoria", it is a highly watchable, humorous and delighfully happy film that you should not miss. If you are a fan of actress Ellen Barkin, she really shines here in a fine comical AND sympathetic performance. I mention sympathetic because, when the script and direction are done right, you WILL care about the characters. When Steve is sent back to earth as Amanda and tries her hardest to find a female to truly love her, you as the viewer, female OR male, will fall in love too, with her AND this unique comedy film.

An Absolute Laugh Riot
Ellen Barkins character starts out the movie as a man who thinks nothing of using women like toilet paper. He is an ad exec who ends up killed by three women who truly despised being used by him. He is ressurected as a female after a disagreement between god and the devil, for you see Barkin's character has a limited time to find a woman who truly loves him. Jimmy Smits play's the best friend of Barkin's character. When he has sex with her (she's passed out-drunk), things get interesting, and only more complicated. ... Read more

Description

Dudley Moore stars as Rob, a TV reporter married to a dedicated career woman. As a result, they rarely spend time together and he falls for a cellist. When she becomes pregnant, Rob decides to marry her—but when he decides to tell his wife, she tells him she’s pregnant. He secretly marries the cellist and has a busy time taking care of both wives and keeping them from discovering the truth. Stars Dudley Moore (Arthur), Amy Irving (TV's "Alias"), Ann Reinking (All That Jazz) and Richard Mulligan (TV's "Soap"). ... Read more

Reviews (7)

funny and touching
What a movie! Dudley moore is married to ann reinking for years and then falls for amy irving. when irving tells him she's pregnant he wants to divorce ann reinking. but when he plans to tell ann guess what she tells him? what's a guy to do? you actually feel for this guy because you know he loves both women even though he is a jerk for marrying both. i have loved this movie for years and watching in later in my 20's it gets better and more touching. of course this movie ends a little too nicely, but how else could they end it?? dudley moore amy irving and ann reinking are all great.

Better-than-you'd-think bigamy farce
Blake Edwards and Dudley Moore, who worked together brilliantly in 1979's 10, re-teamed in 1984 for a fast-paced, surprisingly funny farce. Newsman Moore meets cellist Amy Irving and falls in love, so when she becomes pregnant, he marries her. One minor hitch: Moore is still married to judge Ann Reinking, who's also pregnant. Moore runs himself ragged living two lives until both women go into labor on the same day. So, how do you make a really funny movie about bigamy that brings laughs without leaving a bad taste in your mouth? Answers: 1) Get Blake Edwards to direct it; 2) Don't give him a lot of time to second-guess himself. After getting fired from the Clint Eastwood-Burt Reynolds film City Heat (he may have quit, reports vary), Edwards latched onto Micki's script and managed to get it completed and into theaters the same month as the film he was bounced from. The tight production schedule probably worked to Edwards's benefit, since he didn't get the time to indulge his tendency to tinker and re-shoot scenes until they've become obvious and heavy-handed (see Blind Date for an example). The three leads are terrific, and there are nice supporting turns from character actors Richard Mulligan, Wallace Shawn and Lu Leonard. The letterboxed DVD is a must for this film: Edwards is one of the only comedy directors who can effectively use widescreen, but the results are pretty much unwatchable on pan-and-scan VHS. If the idea of a farce about bigamy doesn't rankle you, this is a lot of fun. It also may be the last great movie Dudley Moore ever made.

Moore, Irving, and Reinking Shine!
I have seen this movie countless times and it never gets old! Dudley Moore, Amy Irivng and Anne Reinking do an excellant job.
Moore is a tv reporter married to Reinking who just wants to have a baby. Reinking does too but she seems to busy to have one. One night Moore meets Irving playing in an orchestra and sparks fly. When Moore wants to break it off with irving she tells him shes pregant. he says he will marry her and divorce Reinking. But then Reinking tells him shes pregant and wants to have a job and a baby. so what's moore to do? marry them both!
This is a touching and funny movie that actually gets to you. you feel sorry for moore's character even though hes being a scumbag! The ending wraps things up a bit too neatly but how else could it have ended huh? I like the end song "something new in my life" as well. see it and you will be surprised at how good it is. I have not seen reinking in too many films beside this and annie. whatever happened to her? she is such a good actress. so is Irving.

Watch It
I thoroughly enjoyed this video. It's funny and it's clever. Amy Irving and Ann Reinking give great performances as the two unknowing wives of a two-timing husband. Dudley Moore is comedic in his role and gives us a sense of what a man who can't make up his mind about who he wants to be with more is really all about. Ah, the married life...

bigamy with a big heart
I've loved this movie for years! It's touching and funny and a great film if you want to just enjoy a funny movie. All actors are outstanding, and Moore, Irving and Reinking really show the heart as well as the humor. ... Read more

Description

Jack Lemmon and Julie Andrews, two screen legends with eleven Academy Award nominations between them, grace the screen in Blake Edwards' human comedy "That's Life!" Lemmon frantically portrays Harvey Fairchild, a wealthy California architect, father of three successful children, husband to a beautiful wife and neurotic as hell. Confronted with his 60th birthday, Harvey is coming down with a severe case of male menopause. Julie Andrews is Gillian Fairchild, the loving, supportive wife of ranting Harvey. Gillian's got her own problems: she's nervously awaiting the results of her hospital tests. One daughter is going through a breakup, the other is seven months pregnant...and son Josh has brought home another brainless beauty. This chaotic clan has all gathered to welcome Harvey into old age. Jack Lemmon and Julie Andrews ... Read more

Reviews (11)

don't pay attention to the critics
Jack Lemmon (Harvey Fairchild)and Julie Andrews (Gillian)shine in this story of a husband unwilling to accept the age of 60 and a wife dealing with a potentially terminal illness. The film explores a very happy family with the kids all grown up and now have their own problems. Jack Lemmon was perfectly cast as the hyperchondriac husband and Julie Andrews is just as good as the loving but somewhat reserved wife. Critics complained about the use of improvisation and a flat story. Nothing could be further from the truth. You see some of the wacky things people do at the spur of the moment,(Harvey goes to a fortune teller), and the true frustration with getting older. Blake Edwards assembled a fine cast of real-life family and friends. Robert Loggia and Sally Kellerman add to the supporting cast as do Lemmon's son Chris, Edward's daugher Jennifer, and Andrew's daugher Emma. "That's Life" may not be the most outstanding Blake Edwards film, but watch it anyway.

Is that REALLY life?
I gather Blake Edwards set out to make a "small movie" here. He enlisted his real-life wife, daughter and step-daughter, brought old buddy (and star of his classic "Days of Wine and Roses") Jack Lemmon aboard and provided parts for Lemmon's wife (Felicia Farr) and son. Farr, it may be said, lucks out if anyone does--she doesn't play one of the neurotic family members--although it appears that she has a several little problems of her own.

Does it work at all? Well, the first time I saw this movie, I HATED it. Since Lemmon's death last summer, I have been sort of running my own little "Jack Lemmon film festival" whenver I think of it, and upon re-view, it's not half bad. Seeing Lemmon's character wrestle with his mortality strikes me as poignant now after the actor's actual death. Equally eerie in its way, is seeing Julie Andrews character, a professional singer, struggling with potentially devestating vocal problems--and in her own stoic way, her own mortality.

The improvisational storyline is the real problem with this film, however. It's rather undeveloped. Lemmon typically needs a broader canvas than Edwards provides him here. He is intense here as in "Days..." but to lesser effect. He's all wound up with no place special to go. We've seen Lemmon do this kind of shtick before ("Tribute" comes to mind), and like Julie Andrews' Gillian in this movie, we feel like telling him to snap out of it--or we're leaving!

Will the real Julie Andrews stand up?
Being a Julie fan, I wanted to start collecting some of her movies. This one I didn't have. Upon watching it, I found myself Fast-Forwarding through most of it because of the language (her husband). The movie has a wonderful story behind it but it really bothered me when I heard Julie spoke some language herself in one part of the movie. Definitely not a family movie.

That's career murder!
The film starts with a biopsy: A sampling of Gillian Fairchild's (Julie Andrews) tissue shall decide over life or death. The findings won't be ready until monday. It may cost her her voice. She clears her throat, then she puts on lipstick - an outward sign that she has no intention of betraying her feelings. Her husband Harvey (Jack Lemmon) is celebrating his sixtieth birthday this sunday, and, for heaven's sake, he cannot be upset.

Harvey arrives. He is unkempt like a tramp. Self-restraint is not his thing: He doesn't mind if the others take part in his suffering. His garden is well-kept. Plastic-sheep graze on his lawn. But he takes no comfort from his luxurious villa and starts complaining at once. He is vexed that people congratulate him for his birthday, and his clients have no taste. He is plagued by all those infirmities old age has to offer. When his wife dares to argue that he never looked better, he is perplexed: "Are you out of your mind?". He has an amorous impulse - and backs down immediately - there is more that troubles him than just the gout. The food (lobster) is not to his taste and when an obtrusive neighbor (Sally Kellerman) observes Gillian's hoarseness he seizes this as a clue to continue his lamentation.

Their children arrive for the planned birthday party. Emma Walton (Julie's daughter) broke up with her boyfriend, Chris (Jack's son) brings his new girlfriend, and the very pregnant Jennifer Edwards (Julie's stepdaughter) is accordingly nervy. But Gillian proves herself as "mother courage" and responds to all their apprehensions. Meanwhile Harvey runs the gauntlet: His physician and an attractive client who tried to seduce him suggest that he consults a psychiatrist and the priest who confesses him turns out to be an old buddy (Robert Loggia). The "happy" family gathers round the dinner-table. No one makes tabula rasa, they dish out banalities. The camera registers this snapshot from behind closed windows...

Blake Edwards shot his film in his own house at the cost of about $1 million. An actor's strike took place at the time - the blacklegging did not further the careers of those involved. There is something depressing about Edwards' career: A much beloved director during the sixties (he directed Lemmon in DAYS OF WINE AND ROSES and THE GREAT RACE), he fell completely out of fashion, until he landed a big hit with TEN. His immediate reaction was to make SOB, the ultimate that'll-gonna-show-them-film. During those years, his protagonists were only thinly disguised mouthpieces of himself. With THAT'S LIFE he expected the impossible: He pushed his leading actor into icy water and ordered him to improvise. How can you improvise another man's life? The result are some of the most painful moments in Lemmon's career: The abortive seduction scene is embarrassing enough, but wait until you see him trying to bike himself to death on his home-trainer or visit a fortune-teller (his own wife Felicia Farr). She tells him an interesting fairy-tale about his toes. He leaves her tent - but not alone: crablouses are his constant companion from now on. They itch when he is attending the church...THAT'S LIFE may be Lemmon's most suicidal film. It effectively ended his film-career and, except for the funeral-like DAD he did not return to the screen until the early nineties. Julie Andrews, on the other hand, gives one of her most personal, and therefore essential, performances. Edwards' observation on the lives of the idle rich is accurate, but perhaps too close for comfort.

a good movie with some faults
Consider that you just found out that you may have terminal cancer. You won't know for sure for a couple of days so you keep it to yourself so as not to worry your loved ones. The problem is that your loved ones take up those two days with endless complaints about their own lives. That, in a nutshell, is what "That's Life" is all about. It's an interesting movie primarily because of the non-stop monologue of Jack Lemmon. He is almost maniacal at times with his compulsive self-examination and fear of aging. At times it gets overdone: We get the point. The adult children have come home to help Mr. Lemmon celebrate his 60th birthday. They all seem to have their own disfunctions and Dad, in his self-pity, was no help. Thus the mother, excellently played by Julie Andrews, has her hands full.

The problems with this movie center around its' excessiveness. As I mentioned above; we get the point. I realize that Blake Edwards has a good reputation for comedy and I think that there is good comedy in this movie. However, the drama seems to suffer for having too much comedy. The character of the priest, for example, is woefully made to look silly. Other characters seem to be too eccentric. If this is supposed to be a comedy then let me change my rating to two stars. The beauty of this movie is watching someone facing death while burdened by everyone's lesser concerns. The movie loses that focus periodically to its own detriment.

I checked for Oscar nominations for "That's Life" because I wondered if Andrews or Lemmon were nominated. They seemed good enough to be. However, the only nomination was for this awful song at the end. I can't believe that Tony Bennett agreed to sing it. Oh well, the team of Blake Edwards and Henry Mancini requires at least one nomination per collaberation. But boy did they pick the wrong category here! ... Read more