DCSIMG
 
 

Afterglow (1997)

Afterglow (1997)
Member Rating:  
Director Alan Rudolph offers a typically idiosyncratic look at a relationship approaching the point of collapse. Phyllis Mann (Julie Christie) and her husband Lucky (Nick Nolte) are a married couple living in Montreal whose marriage has slowly skidded to a halt. There's still a glimmer of affection left between the two, but very little love and no passion. Phyllis, a one-time horror film star, spends her days alone, often lost in her memories as she watches her old films on television, while Lucky works as a repairman and builder, often engaging in brief liaisons with the women he's working for. Phyllis is aware of Lucky's infidelity but isn't terribly concerned; she doesn't mind if he goes elsewhere for sex, as long as he's not looking for anything more serious. The fragile link between Phyllis and Lucky begins to crack when Lucky is hired by Maxine Byron (Lara Flynn Boyle) to help convert a room in her home into a nursery. Maxine desperately wants children, but her arrogant yuppie husband Jeffrey (Jonny Lee Miller) has no interest in starting a family, so she hopes that Lucky might be willing to help her. As coincidence would have it, Phyllis is starting to feel as if she needs someone new in her life, and she begins an affair with Jeffrey. Julie Christie's performance as Phyllis earned the actress her third Oscar nomination for Best Actress. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

 Read More


Starring:
Julie ChristieNick Nolte, (more)
Director(s):
Alan Rudolph
Theatrical MPAA Rating:
R
Format(s):
DVD
View All Versions to rent and buy
 
 
 
 

Synopsis of Afterglow

Director Alan Rudolph offers a typically idiosyncratic look at a relationship approaching the point of collapse. Phyllis Mann (Julie Christie) and her husband Lucky (Nick Nolte) are a married couple living in Montreal whose marriage has slowly skidded to a halt. There's still a glimmer of affection left between the two, but very little love and no passion. Phyllis, a one-time horror film star, spends her days alone, often lost in her memories as she watches her old films on television, while Lucky works as a repairman and builder, often engaging in brief liaisons with the women he's working for. Phyllis is aware of Lucky's infidelity but isn't terribly concerned; she doesn't mind if he goes elsewhere for sex, as long as he's not looking for anything more serious. The fragile link between Phyllis and Lucky begins to crack when Lucky is hired by Maxine Byron (Lara Flynn Boyle) to help convert a room in her home into a nursery. Maxine desperately wants children, but her arrogant yuppie husband Jeffrey (Jonny Lee Miller) has no interest in starting a family, so she hopes that Lucky might be willing to help her. As coincidence would have it, Phyllis is starting to feel as if she needs someone new in her life, and she begins an affair with Jeffrey. Julie Christie's performance as Phyllis earned the actress her third Oscar nomination for Best Actress. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

Theatrical Feature Running Time:
119 mins

Complete Cast of Afterglow


Director(s):
Alan Rudolph
Writer(s):
Alan Rudolph
Producer(s):
Robert Altman
Theatrical MPAA Rating:
R(Adult Situations, Adult Humor)
Afterglow Awards:
  • 1997 - Independent Spirit Awards - Best Actress
  • 1997 - National Society of Film Critics - Best Actress
  • 1997 - New York Film Critics Circle - Best Actress
Warning:  This product is intended for mature audiences only. It may contain violence, sexual content, drug abuse and/or strong language. You must be 17 or older to purchase it. By ordering this item you are certifying that you are at least 17 years of age.

Looking for special editions of Afterglow?
See All Versions
Subtitles:
Check All Versions
Closed Captioning:
Check All Versions
 
 
 
 

BY MAIL

Monthly Subscription
NEW! 7 - Day Rental
No subscription required. Usually ships in 24 hours.
 

IN-STORE

 

ON DEMAND

Blockbuster Instant Video

Watch thousands of movies instantly on your TV, tablet, mobile phone or computer with no monthly subscription. You pay only for what you watch.
 

What's Your Take?

Add to FavoritesIn Favorites  |  Share:     Email to a friendShare on FacebookShare on Twitter
    YOUR REVIEW
    WRITE A REVIEW
     
    1000 
     
    Member Reviews
     
    Joe A.

    A decent cast is wasted in a dreadful slowly paced movie with characters you couldn't care less about. This film is a sure cure for sleep disorders.

    Yes   |   No

     
    Kimberly L.

    BOMB. If you can get past the completely forgettable dialogue without being put to sleep you still have to contend with some of the worst acting ever. Every line delivery seems forced - almost as if they're just waiting to spit out their next one. Maybe it's the script but all the actors are entirely disconnected from their characters. Julie Christie was nominated for an Oscar for this? Must have been a bad year for movies. And just the thought of Nick Nolte as a ladies man is laughable.

    Yes   |   No

     
    Anthony F.

    Only pure acting fans and connoisseurs of Lara Flynn Boyle's beauty will really appreciate this slow, character-driven film. While this story involves marital affairs and the melodrama associated with them, the real emotional meat behind the most compelling characters (Christie's and Nolte's) involves a lost and mysterious child. And the one good sex scene (with Nolte of all people) is sadly as flat as the plot.

    Yes   |   No

     
    Read All 9 Reviews