Heartburn

I recently revisted Heartburn and the only good things in it are Jack Nicholson and Carly Simon's music.

The story just plods along and the writing isn't that good. I think Nora Ephron was too close to the material to make it interesting.

Joanna Gleason steals the group therapy scene right out from under Meryl Streep's nose.

In addition to Gleason, small parts are played by Mercedes Ruehl, Karen Akers, Jack Gilpin, Kevin Spacey, Dana Ivey, and Salem Ludwig

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GREAT! Now I can't get this song outta my head! Which isn't necessarily a bad thing since it's a pretty damn great song:

Baby sneezes
Mommy pleases
Daddy breezes in
So good on paper
So romantic
So bewildering

I know nothin' stays the same
But if you're willin' to play the game
It's comin' around again
So don't mind if I fall apart
There's more room in a broken heart (Broken heart)

Pay the grocer
You fix the toaster
You kiss the host goodbye
Then you break a window
Burn the soufflé
Scream the lullaby

I know nothin' stays the same
But if you're willin' to play the game
It's comin' around again
So don't mind if I fall apart
There's more room in a broken heart

And I believe in love
But what else can I do
So in love with you

I know nothin' stays the same
But if you're willin' to play the game
It's comin' around again

(Baby sneezes)
(Mommy pleases)
(Daddy breezes in)
I know nothin' stays the same
But if you're willin' to play the game
It will be comin' around again

I believe in love
Now who knows where or when
But it's comin' around again

I know nothin' stays the same
But if you're willin' to play the game
It's comin' around again

I think a lot of Nora Ephron's writing was better than this. Among the movies she's written that I've enjoyed are "You've Got Mail" "Sleepless in Seattle" and "When Harry Met Sally."

She was great with humor and I realize there isn't a lot of humor to be found in this story. But it's not even good drama. The story is all over the place. The entire first hour of the movie is about setting up what a great life they have. Then the affair is discovered and it's all about Meryl Streep shuttling back and forth between NYC and DC.

I think Carly Simon has written some great songs. I always wonder what kept her from writing even more great songs.

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Mandy Patinkin had the lead male role, when he was let go Jack Nicholson replaced him.

Oops my bad, you knew that.

Reading comprehension is not what it once was...ha, ha...my apologies.

Updated On: 12/2/14 at 01:54 PM

I actually think that Jack Nicholson helped the movie. His part is not well written but he brings in some nice moments.

I think I would have cut down the first hour. The pre-wedding bit with Streep in the bedroom and all the different guests visiting her was silly. Maybe Ephron meant for that to be funny, but it's just annoying.

And at the very end, when Streep puts the pie in Nicholson's face, is probably the lamest part of the movie. What is this a Lucille Ball sitcom?

And I still haven't figured out the beauty salon scene. How does Streep figure out he's having an affair? What am I missing there? That may have been the way it happened to Ephron in real life, but it wasn't that dramatic. I think the jewelry store necklace scene would have been a much better scene to give a hint that he was cheating. Years later, the same idea worked perfectly in Love Actually.

It just bothers me because this could have been a great movie. The premise is there but it just doesn't come together.

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