Meryl Streep is often considered the greatest of all Hollywood actresses living today. Her undisputed talents, however, were at times wasted used on films that could be deemed undeserving of her presence. One such example can be found in Postcards from the Edge, 1990 drama directed by Mike Nichols.
The film is based on the eponymous semi-autobiographical novel by another Hollywood icon, actress Carrie Fisher a.k.a. Princess Leia from Star Wars. The novel, as well as the film, was in many ways inspired by author’s messy private life and long-time drug abuse that ultimately had serious impact on her acting career. Protagonist and Fisher’s fictional alter ego, played by Streep, is Suzanne Vale, a Hollywood actress who developed cocaine habit that makes her fumble dialogue lines on the film set, much to displeasure of director Lowell Kolchek (played by Gene Hackman). The same habit nearly takes her life after she accidentally overdoses and her latest sex partner, playboy Jack Faulkner (played by Dennis Quaid) barely saves her life by driving her to hospital where she would have her stomach pumped. After the stint in rehab clinic the only way to continue her career is to convince producers and insurers that she is clean from drugs and, apart from taking regular drug tests, she must also live under supervision of her mother, old Hollywood actress Doris Mann (played by Shirley MacLaine). Suzanne is unhappy with that state of affairs, because Doris used to be overbearing, manipulative parent and now herself has issues with drinking. However, two women are finally faced to re-evaluate their relationship, while Suzanne tries to leave Doris’ shadow and try to refocus her career to singing.
The most intriguing aspect of Postcards from the Edge is its relationship with real life. Just as she modelled character of Suzanne on herself, Fisher wrote character of Doris on her own mother Debbie Reynolds. Fisher’s script does at times try to give some insight into life of Hollywood stars, but it quickly loses focus. The film starts as relatively serious display of drug addiction and the way it can have devastating effects even to those who are seemingly sheltered from them true wealth and fame. Unfortunately, as soon as Suzanne leaves the clinic, the issue is all but discarded and film begins uninspiring family drama with little bits of comedy, mostly in form of one-liners that work better in trailer than the film itself. Meryl Streep, who was apparently attracted to the role because of her comedic potentials and opportunity to show her versatility, does admirable job as Suzanne. Same can be said for veteran Shirley MacLaine who doesn’t shy away from showing her age, something that seems rather difficult for appearance-obsessed Hollywood legends. Unfortunately, Mike Nichols directs film with lack of vigour and doesn’t help with poor dialogue and lack of proper plot. Section detailing Suzanne’s relationship with Jack seems like afterthought, while, on the other hand, film features few delightful music numbers that work better Carly Simon’s conventional score. Postcards from the Edge is watchable film, but potentially upsetting to viewers who know that the author, unlike Suzanne, ultimately failed in her struggle with demons of addiction.
RATING: 5/10 (++)
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