Just Between Friends (1986)

33% of critics liked it
(6 reviews)
39% of users liked it
(1,787 ratings)

A timid aerobics instructor learns that her new best friend is also her husband's mistress in this domestic drama starring Mary Tyler Moore. Suffering from a bit of empty-nest syndrome as her children pass through adolescence, indecisive homemaker Holly Davis (Moore) reluctantly accepts a part-time… More A timid aerobics instructor learns that her new best friend is also her husband's mistress in this domestic drama starring Mary Tyler Moore. Suffering from a bit of empty-nest syndrome as her children pass through adolescence, indecisive homemaker Holly Davis (Moore) reluctantly accepts a part-time gig teaching exercise classes for frazzled gym owner Helga (Salome Jens). There, she meets struggling, independent-minded broadcast journalist Sandy Dunlap (Christine Lahti), and they quickly become thick as thieves. As it turns out, though, Sandy is actually an adulteress -- she's engaged in a clandestine affair with Chip (Ted Danson), Holly's seismologist husband. Chip loves both women and wants to continue seeing Sandy, but she breaks things off with him now that she knows his wife. When Chip dies suddenly, Sandy helps Holly cope and finances phase two of her life as the new owner of Helga's aerobics center. Unfortunately, though, evidence of Chip's infidelity lies around just waiting to be discovered. In the end, it's up to Chip's friend Harry Crandall (Sam Waterston) -- who's been nursing a crush on Holly for years -- to help a pregnant Sandy and a heartbroken Holly come to terms with their complicated friendship. Just Between Friends marked the directorial debut of screenwriter Allan Burns. ~ Brian J. Dillard, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: PG-13, 2 hr.
Directed By: Allan Burns
Genres: Drama, Television, Romance

In Theaters: Mar 21, 1986 Wide
On DVD: Jan 13, 2004
Studio: HBO Video

Critic Reviews

Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, Spirituality and Practice
Offers a fresh exploration of women's friendship which must bear many strains.
Nell Minow, Movie Mom at Yahoo! Movies
Dumb, dumb story but wonderful performers.

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

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Featured Audience Ratings

Leo L

Interesting! Touching.

Cast

            Mary Tyler Moore as Holly Davis

            Christine Lahti as Sandy Dunlap

            Ted Danson as Chip Davis

            Sam Waterston as Harry Crandall

            Salome Jens as Helga

            Jane Greer as Ruth Chadwick

            Susan Rinell as Kim Davis

            Timothy Gibbs as Jeff Davis

            Diane Stilwell as Carla

            James MacKrell as Bill

            Andra Akers as Andrea

            Lewis Arquette as TV Station Guard

            Mark Blum as George Margolin

            Darwyn Carson as Janet

            Chet Collins as Stage Manager

            Jeannie Elias as Marci

            Castulo Guerra as Sportscaster

            Terri Hanauer as Woman in Shower

            Joshua Harris as Boy with Runny Nose

            Robert Kino as Mr. Hasegawa

            Christina Kokubo as Nurse

            Read Morgan as Charlie

            Julie Payne as Karen

            Gary Riley as Clerk in Ice Cream Shop

            Robert Rothwell as Bill

            Beverly Sanders as Judy

            George D. Wallace as Bob Chadwick

            Lisle Wilson as Newswriter

            Helene Winston as Woman in Ice Cream Shop

            John Terry Bell as Minister

            Brigette Desper as Heather

            Tiffany Desper as Heather

            Dorothy Francis as Herself

            Leslie Ann Rieder as Candy Striper

            Leda Siskind as Coffee Shop Waitress

            Suzanne Wishner as Receptionist at Gym

            Reed Morgan
            
See full cast