Cynthia Stevenson Movies
Dark-haired and petite American comic actress Cynthia Stevenson first made a name for herself appearing on various television shows during the 1980s. On television she was typically cast as flighty somewhat forgetful optimists. In 1990, Stevenson was the host of the unsuccessful syndicated My Talk Show, a parody of talk shows in which she interviewed unknown celebrities in her living room. The show only lasted three months and nearly led Stevenson to leave acting. Then Robert Altman cast her as Bonnie Sherow in The Player. After that she won the second lead in Bob, a television sitcom starring Bob Newhart. Despite favorable critical reviews, the show only briefly aired. More sporadic film and television work followed until 1995, when Stevenson's career finally took flight and she appeared in three major feature films, including Live Nude Girls. As icing on the cake, she also landed the role of Gloria on the television sitcom Hope & Gloria. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide- 1993
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In Watch It, Peter Gallagher plays a drifter who comes back to Chicago and moves in with his cousin (Jon Tenney) in an attempt to make amends. Soon, the cousins have patched things up, and the duo become involved in a series of complicated practical jokes with Tenney's housemates. Things turn sour when Gallagher falls in love with his cousin's girlfriend (Suzy Amis), and one of the cousins is forced to grow up and make a commitment to an adult relationship. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Peter Gallagher, Suzy Amis, (more)
Robert Altman takes a scalpel to Hollywood ethics in the 1990s (or the lack thereof) in his acidic satire The Player, adapted from Michael Tolkin's novel. (Tolkin also wrote the screenplay.) The film concerns a sleek and smooth Hollywood studio executive who starts receiving death threats from a disgruntled writer because he has committed the ultimate Hollywood sin -- he promised the writer he would call him back and he never did. This is particularly ironic because the studio executive, Griffin Mill (Tim Robbins), is considered "writer-friendly," spending his days listening to pitches from such noted screenwriters as Buck Henry, who is pushing "The Graduate, Part II" and Alan Rudolph, who is hawking a Bruce Willis action film described as "Ghost meets The Manchurian Candidate." But The Player finds Griffin's comfortable life style in danger of collapse. He is trying to find a way to unload his girlfriend (Cynthia Stevenson) whose independence and intelligence make her a poor candidate for a trophy wife. More importantly, it seems that Larry Levy (Peter Gallagher), a slippery executive from Twentieth Century Fox, is angling for his job. And then there are those nasty postcards and faxes from a screenwriter threatening to kill him. Altman cast over 65 stars in cameo roles as texture for his scabrous tale. ~ Paul Brenner, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Tim Robbins, Greta Scacchi, (more)
- 1989
Soft-hearted Norm (George Wendt) is unable to issue orders to his painting crew. At the suggestion of Frasier (Kelsey Grammer), Norm invents a nasty, disciplinarian "partner" to keep his crew in line. Meanwhile, Sam (Ted Danson) agonizes over his decision to sell his precious Corvette so he can afford to repurchase Cheers. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1989
Norm (George Wendt) is unable to convince his adoring secretary Doris (Cynthia Stevenson) that he isn't interested in her -- not even when he fires the woman. Hoping to take advantage of Doris' passion, Cliff (John Ratzenberger) manages to get himself in deep doo-doo. Elsewhere, Woody's (Woody Harrelson) lucky streak continues -- and what's the "surprise" hidden in the executive desk that Robin gave Rebecca (Kirstie Alley)? ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1989
Comic actress Jackee serves double duty in this made-for-TV comedy. A top female FBI agent is injured in the midst of an important assignment, and a look-alike replacement is needed in short order, so her superiors are forced to enlist her identical twin sister for the job. Unfortunately, she lacks her sister's skills as a crime fighter, and the bulk of her work experience is as a waitress; will she be able to save the day? Also screened as Double Your Pleasure, The Reluctant Agent co-stars Dan Hedaya, Richard Lawson, and Cynthia Stevenson. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jackée, Dan Hedaya, (more)
