Synopsis:
The staff of an independent newspaper — including a reporter (John Heard), a photographer (Lindsay Crouse), a rock music critic (Jeff Goldblum), and a secretary (Jill Eikenberry) — mourn the changing of times as a new publisher (Lane Smith) takes over the company.

Genres, Themes, Actors, and Directors:

• Ensemble Cast
• Jeff Goldblum Films
• John Heard Films
• Journalists
• Romantic Comedy

Response to Peary’s Review:
Peary begins his review of Joan Micklin Silver’s romantic comedy by referring to it as “one of those few films [he wishes] would never end”. He notes that “it’s a spirited, nostalgic, sexy, perceptive, warm-hearted character comedy” with a “beautifully organized” script (by Fred Barron) full of “real characters and situations you might identify with”. He adds that director Silver, “who obviously loves the characters who run the paper, gives her young, brilliant cast a lot of freedom and they come through with relaxed, flesh-and-blood performances”. He points out that “most interesting is how characters take turns acting like jerks, egocentrics, being temperamental, and occasionally disappoint us — just as real people do.”

Peary’s review accurately captures the infectious spirit of this ensemble piece, which emanates both the best and most annoying aspects of working on a young team, dating some co-workers and fending off others, managing the always-chaotic world of deadlines and rivalry. Heard and Crouse are perfectly cast as occasional lovers who get back together during the course of the movie, quibbling but always staying companions. Goldblum is as odd as ever; Peary notes that a highlight of the film includes his “nonsensical ad-libbed music lecture, at which young women dutifully take notes” — but I’m an even bigger fan of his stand-off against a performance artist who visits the office. Jill Eikenberry is both lovely and eminently likeable as the grounding force of the office. There’s a fascinating scene in which her character (Lynn) interacts with a nebbishy adsman (Lewis J. Stadlen as Stanley) who she spent time with recently:

Stanley: I didn’t want you to feel like there was any kind of innuendo or sexual connotation…
Lynn: You know, Stanley — I can’t accept that you didn’t want any sexual innuendo. Stanley, you literally jumped on top of me!
Stanley: Oh no… You see, I knew that you had interpreted it that way…
Lynn: Stanley, you did — there you were on my body, Stanley.
Stanley: What can I say, you know? I mean, it’s your perception, and it’s my perception, we were both there…
Lynn: No, listen Stanley — I couldn’t get up!
Stanley: Look, if that’s what you thought, I guess an apology is in the making.
Lynn: It’s okay — it’s okay, really.
Stanley: I mean, let me tell you I’m very sexually attracted to you. You know, nobody in their right mind wouldn’t be. I had a great time!
Lynn: You’re an incredible person, Stanley.
Stanley: And so are you. You’re an incredible person as well and listen… We’ll do it again sometime.

There are definite hints of Woody Allen here; it’s not surprising that Juliet Taylor, Allen’s longtime casting agent, did the casting for this film as well. What’s remarkable is how definitively Eikenberry exudes a relaxed but firm attitude — she’s chuckling and sympathetic throughout this exchange. Obnoxious, bow-tied Stanley is most definitely made the fool, while Eikenberry emerges victorious in every possible way. Similarly, Crouse completely shows up Heard during a scene when she “asks sharp questions of a stripper (Marilu Henner) and [strikes] a rapport with her while [Heard] wants to ask his stupid questions”. However, men are also shown bonding and having fun.

Part of the charm of this film is how pleasantly nostalgic it comes across — which is somewhat ironic, given that it was meant to reflect the end of a charmed era (the counterculture of the 1960s), but now represents an era of its own (the 1970s) that many may also reminisce about with wistful memories. Most notable of all, of course, is how radically sentimental one can’t help feeling about the pre-internet media age, when news was gathered and published in hard copy only, and reading selections were limited to just a few choices — including independent rags like this one. For better or for worse, that period is completely over, and we can now look back on “classic” cinema of the 1970s as reflecting a uniquely bygone era. Be sure to listen through the final scene while the credits begin to roll, as Goldblum chats up a new chum in a bar — it’s priceless.

Redeeming Qualities and Moments:

• Many memorable, well-acted, humorous scenes
  
  
  
• Good use of authentic Boston locales
  
  

Must See?
Yes, as a sleeper classic of a certain era.

Categories

• Good Show

Links:

• IMDb entry
• NY Times Original Review
• TV Guide Capsule Review