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Such Good Friends
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| Such Good Friends | |
|---|---|
Theatrical release film poster by Saul Bass | |
| Directed by | Otto Preminger |
| Written by | Esther Dale |
| Based on | Such Good Friends by Lois Gould |
| Produced by | Otto Preminger |
| Starring | Dyan Cannon Ken Howard James Coco Jennifer O'Neill Laurence Luckinbill |
| Cinematography | Gayne Rescher |
| Edited by | Harry Howard |
| Music by | Thomas Z. Shepard |
Production company | |
| Distributed by | Paramount Pictures |
Release date |
|
Running time | 102 minutes[1] |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
Such Good Friends is a 1971 American black comedy-drama film directed by Otto Preminger and starring Dyan Cannon, Ken Howard, James Coco, Jennifer O'Neill and Laurence Luckinbill.[2] The screenplay by Elaine May (credited under the pseudonym, Esther Dale) is based on the novel of the same title by Lois Gould.
Plot
[edit]Manhattanite Julie Messinger, a complacent housewife and mother of two raucous young sons, is married to Richard, a chauvinistic and self-centered magazine art director and author of a best-selling children's book. When he falls into a coma during minor surgery to remove a nonmalignant mole on his neck, Julie learns from his doctor, Dr. Timmy Spector, that another surgeon nicked his artery, necessitating a blood transfusion to which he had a rare allergic reaction. The following day, Julie is told Richard has overcome the blood reaction, but his liver has sustained serious damage requiring immediate treatment. In quick succession, his other organs begin to fail.
While trying to comfort Julie, family friend Cal Whiting reveals that his girlfriend Miranda has confessed to having an affair with Richard over the past year. Distressed by the news, Julie seeks advice from her egocentric mother but finds herself unable to discuss her husband's infidelity. She decides to confront Miranda and asks her what future she anticipated having with her husband. Miranda confesses that she and Richard are deeply in love and have discussed marriage, although thus far she has been unable to make such a permanent commitment.
Julie begins to unravel emotionally. She visits Cal, whose attempted seduction of her fails due to impotence. At the hospital, she tells the unconscious Richard she will never divorce him and vows to ruin his reputation. Timmy invites her to his apartment for drinks and admits he was aware of Richard's affair not only with Miranda, but with other women as well, and kept them secret out of a sense of loyalty to his friend. Stunned and confused, Julie lashes out at Timmy, then seduces him, and he succumbs to her advances.
At home later that evening, Julie finds a black book in Richard's desk and realizes it contains coded data about his numerous extramarital affairs, many of them with her friends. She gives it to Cal, who then shows it to Miranda to prove she was just one of Richard's many conquests. The following day, Richard goes into cardiac arrest, and Julie realizes she wants him to survive despite his betrayal of her. When Timmy reports her husband has died, a grieving Julie takes her sons for a walk in Central Park to contemplate their future.
Cast
[edit]- Dyan Cannon as Julie Messinger
- James Coco as Dr. Timmy Spector
- Jennifer O'Neill as Miranda Graham
- Ken Howard as Cal Whiting
- Nina Foch as Mrs. Wallman
- Laurence Luckinbill as Richard Messinger
- Louise Lasser as Marcy Berns
- Burgess Meredith as Bernard Kalman
- Sam Levene as Uncle Eddie
- William Redfield as Barney Halsted
- James Beard as Dr. Mahler
- Rita Gam as Doria
- Elaine Joyce as Marian Spector
- Doris Roberts as Mrs. Gold
- Virginia Vestoff as Emily Lapham
- Oscar Grossman as the doorman
Production
[edit]Through his son Erik, who was working as his story editor, producer Otto Preminger heard about a manuscript by Lois Gould that was rumored to be a hot property. He negotiated with the author and purchased the film rights for $200,000 in February 1970, three months before the book was published.[3]
The novel, narrated in stream-of-consciousness mode by Julie Messinger, proved to be difficult to adapt for the screen. Joan Micklin Silver initially tackled the project, but Preminger found her to be too much of a feminist who was more psychologically attuned to the character than he thought was necessary. He then hired Joan Didion and John Gregory Dunne and worked with them for several months. Finally, in early 1971, Elaine May, his original choice for screenwriter, became available. May worked on the script for ten weeks, although Preminger found it difficult to adjust to her method of writing. The two would meet for a story conference, then May would disappear and remain incommunicado for two weeks or so, finally emerging with a substantial part of the screenplay completed. Preminger would give her notes and she would disappear again, and this routine continued until the script was finished. Not wanting her name attached to work started by others, May insisted she did not want screen credit and used the pseudonym Esther Dale, the name of a Hollywood character actress, instead of her own. Preminger later used May's involvement in the film to help promote it, a move the screenwriter resented, as she felt he was "more honorable than that."[4]
Preminger and leading lady Dyan Cannon clashed throughout filming. She was constantly late, one of the director's pet peeves, and the two disagreed about everything about her character, from how she should be portrayed to how she should be dressed. Uncomfortable with the director's perception of Julie, the actress frequently tried to incorporate some of her own vision into her interpretation, resulting in loud on-set arguments that left Cannon feeling alone, self-conscious, and very vulnerable. Upon the film's completion, the two vowed never to work with each other again.[5]
Critical reception
[edit]The film earned mixed reviews at the time of its release, with some feeling it was better than the failed films Preminger made between 1965 and 1970. Roger Ebert of the Chicago Sun-Times called the film "a hard, unsentimental, deeply cynical comedy" and "Preminger's best film in a long time, probably since Anatomy of a Murder in 1959." He added, "There are funny lines in the movie, but they are rarely allowed to be merely funny; they are also intended to hurt. People hurt and insult one another because, we sense, attack is the best form of defense inside this carnivorous society. Some of the dialog is in appallingly bad taste, and some of the critics have blamed the bad taste on Preminger, but it would have taken a lesser director to leave it out. The vulgarity belongs there because the movie is as tough as the people it's about."[6]
Time said, "The whole notion is so outrageously melodramatic that Preminger was probably right in choosing to play it for comedy . . . On second thought, Such Good Friends might have worked better the other way. Preminger is usually funnier — remember Hurry Sundown? — when he's trying to be serious."[7]
Tony Mastroianni of the Cleveland Press called it "one of those sick-funny films that asks you to laugh at tragedy and gets away with it." He continued, "It undoubtedly will offend many and for a number of reasons. It has a brand of caustic wit that somehow surmounts situations that are a blend of soap opera maudlin and ribald coarseness. The picture takes on such institutions as marriage, medicine and friendship and treats them all pretty roughly. What succeeds is a barrage of bright, witty, trenchant lines written by Elaine May operating under the pseudonym of Esther Dale. Director Otto Preminger, whose recent films looked as though they were directed by an ax murderer, does a better job this time out. There are still scenes that are all surface, some that are just crudely done. But in others, notably those involving large groups of people, he works out an interplay of parts that results in fascinating moments of counterpoint."[8]
Time Out London observed, "Sadly, Preminger seems unsure whether to take May's characters at face value or to feel for them. As a result, the cardboard emotions of Cannon . . . and Coco . . . are too often taken for real, and the script's brilliantly witty cameos are shunted too quickly out of sight."[9]
TV Guide rated the film one star, saying it "aimed at being contemporary but turned out contemptible. It does, however, provide a look at a tough-skinned New York lifestyle that Big Apple resident Preminger well understood."[10]
Gene Siskel gave the film 3½ out of 4 stars and called it "absolutely delightful."[11]
Awards and nominations
[edit]Cannon was nominated for the Golden Globe Award for Best Actress – Motion Picture Drama. Jane Fonda won the award for her performance in Klute.
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ "SUCH GOOD FRIENDS (X)". British Board of Film Classification. January 26, 1972. Archived from the original on December 4, 2014. Retrieved November 26, 2014.
- ^ "Such Good Friends". Turner Classic Movies. Retrieved March 23, 2016.
- ^ Fujiwara, Chris, The World and Its Double: The Life and Work of Otto Preminger. New York: Macmillan Publishers 2009. ISBN 0-86547-995-X, p. 385
- ^ The World and Its Double, pp. 385-86
- ^ The World and Its Double, pp. 388-95
- ^ Chicago Sun-Times review
- ^ Time review
- ^ Cleveland Press review
- ^ Time Out London review
- ^ TV Guide review
- ^ Chicago Tribune review
External links
[edit]Such Good Friends
View on GrokipediaBackground
Original Novel
Such Good Friends is the debut novel by American author Lois Gould, published in 1970 by Random House. The semi-autobiographical work was inspired by the sudden death of Gould's husband, New York Times reporter Philip Benjamin, from complications after surgery in 1966, an event that profoundly shaped her exploration of grief, betrayal, and personal reinvention. Set against the backdrop of 1960s New York, the novel delves into themes of marital infidelity, evolving female identity, and the dehumanizing inefficiencies of medical bureaucracy, reflecting the era's shifting social norms around gender roles and domestic life.[6] Born Lois Regensburg in 1931 in Manhattan to fashion designer Jo Copeland and cigar manufacturer E.J. Regensburg, Gould graduated from Wellesley College and built a career in journalism, freelancing for outlets like Ladies' Home Journal and contributing columns to the New York Times, including the inaugural "Hers" feature in 1977. As a mother of two sons from her marriage to Benjamin, Gould infused the novel with an authentic, personal tone drawn from her experiences balancing motherhood, professional ambitions, and emotional turmoil. Her journalistic background lent a sharp, observational edge to the prose, emphasizing realistic dialogue and social critique.[6][7] The story follows protagonist Julie Messinger, a young housewife and mother, whose husband, graphic illustrator Richard Messinger, enters the hospital for a routine skin cancer removal that spirals into a coma due to surgical complications. As Julie shuttles between her home and the hospital, enduring endless waits and evasive doctors, she uncovers Richard's hidden diary detailing affairs with her close friends and acquaintances. This revelation shatters her illusions about their marriage, forcing Julie to reassess her role as a wife and woman while seeking solace—and sometimes rivalry—among her social circle. The narrative highlights Julie's journey toward self-assertion amid betrayal, using humor and irony to expose the superficiality of upper-middle-class friendships and the patriarchal constraints on women's autonomy.[6][2][8] Upon release, Such Good Friends achieved commercial success as a bestseller, spending seven weeks on the New York Times best-seller list and resonating with readers navigating similar upheavals in personal relationships. Critics praised its incisive satire on marriage, infidelity, and social pretensions, with the New York Times Book Review highlighting its raw depiction of women's inner conflicts and early feminist sensibilities that captured the frustrations of domestic life in a changing era. The novel's blend of dark comedy and emotional depth established Gould as a voice for women's experiences, influencing subsequent discussions on gender and identity in literature.[6][7]Development and Pre-Production
Paramount Pictures, through producer Otto Preminger, acquired the film rights to Lois Gould's debut novel Such Good Friends in February 1970 for $200,000, three months prior to its publication by Random House.[9][10] The novel's satirical examination of marital infidelity and upper-middle-class hypocrisies in contemporary America formed the core basis for the film's adaptation. Development of the screenplay proved challenging, with Preminger rejecting multiple early drafts, including one from Joan Micklin Silver, before hiring Elaine May in 1971 to overhaul and finalize the script.[11] May, dissatisfied with aspects of the production process, credited her work under the pseudonym Esther Dale.[12] Preminger, who had secured the rights as an independent producer in association with Paramount, attached himself as director in early 1971, viewing the project's sharp satirical edge as compatible with his prior explorations of social taboos and moral ambiguity in films such as Anatomy of a Murder (1959).[13] Casting began in mid-1971, with Preminger selecting Dyan Cannon to portray the protagonist Julie Messinger, citing her proven comedic timing from roles in films like Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice (1969) as ideal for the character's wry, neurotic demeanor.[1] This choice aligned with Preminger's vision for a blend of dark humor and dramatic tension in the adaptation.[14]Narrative and Cast
Plot Summary
Julie Messinger (Dyan Cannon), a Manhattan housewife and mother of two young sons, accompanies her husband Richard (Laurence Luckinbill), an art director at a major magazine and author of a bestselling children's book, to the hospital for a routine procedure to remove a nonmalignant mole on his neck. Complications arise during the surgery when the surgeon nicks an artery, followed by an allergic reaction to a blood transfusion, leading to liver damage, kidney failure, a heart attack, and ultimately a coma. As Julie anxiously awaits updates amid conflicting reports from the medical team, she discovers Richard's "little black book" detailing his numerous extramarital affairs with several of her close friends and acquaintances, shattering her perception of their marriage.[15][4][3] Devastated and seeking both information on Richard's condition and a form of revenge, Julie begins seducing members of Richard's inner circle, including his best friend and physician Dr. Timmy Spector (James Coco), as well as other doctors and friends like Cal Whiting (Ken Howard) and the eccentric author Bernard Kalman (Burgess Meredith). The narrative unfolds through interactions with the Messingers' quirky social set—featuring Julie's domineering mother (Nina Foch), neurotic friends such as Marcy (Louise Lasser) and Emily (Virginia Vestoff), and hospital staff—highlighting escalating absurdities like blood donation drives among the group, bureaucratic medical mishaps, and tense cafeteria discussions among the doctors. Julie's heavy drinking and impulsive liaisons provide fleeting empowerment amid her emotional turmoil, underscoring the black comedy of infidelity revelations and healthcare incompetence in the 102-minute runtime.[4][3][1] The story builds to Julie's breakdown as Richard's condition deteriorates irreversibly, forcing her to grapple with decisions on experimental treatments and insurance constraints while confronting the superficial hypocrisies of her social world. In the climax, Julie visits the comatose Richard one last time, expressing a mix of resentment and unresolved affection. Richard ultimately dies from the complications, leaving Julie to collect her sons and walk through Central Park, achieving a bittersweet self-realization about independence and the facade of her former life.[3][4][1]Cast and Characters
The principal cast of Such Good Friends is led by Dyan Cannon in the role of Julie Messinger, the film's protagonist—a witty and repressed New York housewife and mother who transforms into an avenger-like figure upon uncovering layers of betrayal in her marriage. Laurence Luckinbill portrays Richard Messinger, Julie's art director husband at a major magazine and author of a bestselling children's book, who falls into a coma following routine surgery and serves as a symbol of marital infidelity and hidden secrets that drive the narrative's black comedy. Supporting roles contribute to the film's satirical tone through a mix of comic and dramatic elements. James Coco plays Dr. Timmy Spector, the bumbling family physician whose ineptitude and self-serving antics provide comic relief while lampooning incompetent medical authority figures. Jennifer O'Neill appears as Miranda Graham, a glamorous friend and aspiring actress who is one of Richard's mistresses and Cal Whiting's girlfriend, acting as a key catalyst for Julie's rage and awakening to the hypocrisies around her. Ken Howard is cast as Cal Whiting, a photographer and Julie's romantic interest, whose affair with her underscores the story's themes of sexual liberation and revenge. Burgess Meredith portrays Bernard Kalman, an eccentric aging author whose bizarre and memorable appearance in a dream sequence amplifies the film's absurd humor. Other notable supporting players include Nina Foch as Julie's snobbish mother, Mrs. Wallman, who embodies upper-class pretension, and Louise Lasser as Marcy Berns, a neurotic friend in the social circle entangled in the intrigue.[16][1]| Actor | Character | Function in Story |
|---|---|---|
| Dyan Cannon | Julie Messinger | Protagonist; witty housewife whose discoveries fuel the satire on marriage and infidelity. |
| Laurence Luckinbill | Richard Messinger | Comatose husband and art director/author; symbol of betrayal that exposes relational deceptions. |
| James Coco | Dr. Timmy Spector | Family doctor; comic relief through incompetence, critiquing medical hubris. |
| Jennifer O'Neill | Miranda Graham | Glamorous friend, aspiring actress, and mistress; triggers Julie's emotional and vengeful transformation. |
| Ken Howard | Cal Whiting | Photographer and lover; represents Julie's path to sexual empowerment. |
| Burgess Meredith | Bernard Kalman | Eccentric author; adds absurd, satirical flair in a comedic dream sequence. |
| Nina Foch | Mrs. Wallman | Julie's mother; highlights social elitism and generational tensions. |
| Louise Lasser | Marcy Berns | Neurotic friend; contributes to the web of social secrets and betrayals. |
