Only When I Laugh (1981)

Synopsis of Only When I Laugh

Playwright Neil Simon made one of his periodic forays into serious themes with the drama The Gingerbread Lady, and while this screen adaptation adds a bit more wit to the proceedings, it remains a change of pace from his usual breezy comedies. Georgia (Marsha Mason) is a successful actress who has just spent 90 days in a rehab clinic in an effort to beat her addiction to alcohol. A number of crises are waiting for Georgia upon her return; her teenage daughter Polly (Kristy McNichol), whom she neglected as a child, wants to move back in, though they still have a ways to go in repairing their relationship. And her ex-husband David (David Dukes), a writer, has just penned a new drama that he wants her to star in -- a fictionalized version of their often-combative marriage. Georgia also has to tend to her best friends, bitter socialite Toby (Joan Hackett) and Jimmy (James Coco), a gay actor who drowns his sorrows in food. Only When I Laugh garnered Oscar nominations for Mason, Coco, and Hackett, while the latter won a Golden Globe for her performance. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

Director(s):

Glenn Jordan, Vernon Lawrence

Writer(s):

Eric Chappell, Neil Simon

Producer(s):

Roger M. Rothstein, Vernon Lawrence, Neil Simon

Theatrical MPAA Rating:

R(Adult Humor, Questionable for Children, Adult Language, Adult Situations, Brief Nudity, Profanity)

• 1981 - Hollywood Foreign Press Association - Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture

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.

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