Postcards from the Edge (1990)

90% of critics liked it
(29 reviews)
64% of users liked it
(7,971 ratings)

Mike Nichols lends some comic structure to Carrie Fisher's best-selling confessional novel concerning a woman's struggles with drug addiction and mother-daughter rivalry (subjects Fisher admits to understanding all too well). Meryl Streep, in her most full-blown comic performance up to that point,… More Mike Nichols lends some comic structure to Carrie Fisher's best-selling confessional novel concerning a woman's struggles with drug addiction and mother-daughter rivalry (subjects Fisher admits to understanding all too well). Meryl Streep, in her most full-blown comic performance up to that point, plays Suzanne Vale, a popular movie actress well on her way to a Hollywood crack-up. Suzanne suffers from blackouts and memory lapses, and awakens in the beds of men she doesn't remember; she is a barely-functioning wreck on the set of her latest movie. When a coke dealer who delivers stops by her dressing room between takes, she swiftly finds herself being rushed to the hospital, suffering the effects of a narcotics bender. While in detox, Suzanne attempts to piece her life and career back together, but her confidence is shattered when her mother arrives at the rehab clinic -- Doris Mann, a famed film icon from the 1950s and 1960s (Shirley MacLaine). Doris is soon soaking up the adulation and applause of Suzanne's fellow recovering drug addicts. Upon Suzanne's release, she must compete with her mother for attention and fame as she tries to walk a thin line as a recovering drug abuser. ~ Paul Brenner, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 41 min.
Directed By: Mike Nichols
Written By: Carrie Fisher
Genres: Drama, Comedy

In Theaters: Jan 1, 1990 Wide
On DVD: May 1, 2001
Studio: Columbia Pictures Corporation

Critic Reviews

Jonathan Rosenbaum, Chicago Reader
There's not much depth here, but Nichols does a fine job with the surface effects, and the wisecracks keep coming.
Richard Corliss, TIME Magazine
In this era of postverbal cinema, Postcards proves that movie dialogue can still carry the sting, heft and meaning of the finest old romantic comedy.
Variety Staff, Variety
Packs a fair amount of emotional wallop in its dark-hued comic take on a chemically dependent Hollywood mother and daughter.
Vincent Canby, New York Times
''Postcards From the Edge'' is a vehicle, but it's a custom-built Rolls.
Hal Hinson, Washington Post
Streep gives the most fully articulated comic performance of her career, the one she's always hinted at and made us hope for.
Desson Thomson, Washington Post
For all the jagged, witty chatter -- and Streep and MacLaine do their tragicomic damnedest with it -- "Postcard" provides the most rudimentary and jury-rigged of outcomes.
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com
Nichols' version of Carrie Fisher's memoir of a drug-addicted actress (well played by Meryl Streep), and her troubled bond with her famous mother (inspired by mom Debbie Reynolds) is sleek, shallow and sporadically entertaining.
, Film4
A constant delight.
, TV Guide's Movie Guide
Yet further proof that Hollywood makes its best films about what it knows best--making films in Hollywood.
Derek Adams, Time Out
Fisher's intelligence and humour turn what might have been movie brat indulgence into something much sharper and involving.
Boo Allen, Denton Record Chronicle (TX)
Meryl lets her hair down and it looks good in this Hollywood tell-all.
Nell Minow, Movie Mom at Yahoo! Movies
Weak script but brilliant performances and moments of heart-twisting poignance and insight.
Rich Cline, Shadows on the Wall
Biting humour and terrific performances.
Jon Niccum, Lawrence Journal-World
One of Streep's most likeable performances
Ken Hanke, Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)
Generally entertaining, but finally not all that effective.
Brad Laidman, Film Threat
The older generation had it made. Drinking is legal.

Read all 16 critic reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

♥˩ƳИИ &

Cast: Meryl Streep, Shirley MacLaine, Dennis Quaid, Gene Hackman, Richard Dreyfuss, Rob Reiner, Mary Wickes, Conrad Bain, Annette Bening, Simon Callow Director: Mike Nichols Summary: Carrie Fisher's scathing, hilarious and confessional novel -- adapted from her own… More
Cast: Meryl Streep, Shirley MacLaine, Dennis Quaid, Gene Hackman, Richard Dreyfuss, Rob Reiner, Mary Wickes, Conrad Bain, Annette Bening, Simon Callow Director: Mike Nichols Summary: Carrie Fisher's scathing, hilarious and confessional novel -- adapted from her own best-seller about a woman (Meryl Streep) who becomes addicted to drugs while pursuing a Hollywood acting career -- makes a successful transition to the big screen. Shirley MacLaine enjoys her best role in years as Streep's self-absorbed mother, a faded movie queen who meddles in her daughter's affairs and doesn't believe time has passed her by. My Thoughts: "How could you not want to see a film that has two great actresses as the leading ladies. Meryl Streep and Shirley MacLaine play mother and daughter, it doesn't get any better then this. They were both amazing in their roles of course. The film also has a very talented supporting cast, from Dennis Quaid to Gene Hackman and Richard Dreyfuss. Also a little cameo from Annette Bening. The film gives you a glimpse of the show biz world and what it was like for a daughter to not only grow up with a famous mother, but to also be in the spot light. The film has some great one-liners from Meryl's character Suzanne. It's funny in that dark comedy way. Which is exactly what this film is, a dark comedy. The relationship between mother and daughter is one of love and hate. The hate mostly coming from the daughter's end. The mother could be quite smothering at times. I thought it was a great film. One I wouldn't mind seeing again."
Spencer S

A cute little comedy with obvious influences from the inspiring book written by none other than Carrie Fisher. Her biting wit and Hollywood insight made for a highly original film. At the front of the cast is the amazing Meryl Streep who portrays another junkie looking for a reason to… More
A cute little comedy with obvious influences from the inspiring book written by none other than Carrie Fisher. Her biting wit and Hollywood insight made for a highly original film. At the front of the cast is the amazing Meryl Streep who portrays another junkie looking for a reason to feel. The great Shirley Maclaine plays a loving caricature of Debbie Reynolds, the main drama in a film that badly needed it. It lacks a balance, but is entertaining.
Fernando Rafael Q

Unfocused film lingers between comedy and drama without ever really deciding where it should stand. Boring, talky and misleading, POSTCARDS FROM THE EDGE stars Shirley MacLaine and Meryl Streep as mother and daughter Doris and Suzanne, respectively. As it's to be expected, both… More
Unfocused film lingers between comedy and drama without ever really deciding where it should stand. Boring, talky and misleading, POSTCARDS FROM THE EDGE stars Shirley MacLaine and Meryl Streep as mother and daughter Doris and Suzanne, respectively. As it's to be expected, both leads deliver great performances, although nothing really extraordinary. A brief appearance by Annette Bening is the highlight.
Dean M

A fantastic, consistently amusing, satire about the wacky world of Hollywood between Meryl Streep and Shirley MacLaine. It's very funny.
Sunil J

Good mother/daughter chemistry from MacLaine and Streep and some great musical performances.

Cast

            Meryl Streep as Suzanne Vale

            Shirley MacLaine as Doris Mann

            Dennis Quaid as Jack Falkner

            Gene Hackman as Lowell

            Richard Dreyfuss as Dr. Frankenthal

            Conrad Bain as Grandpa

            Rob Reiner as Joe Pierce

            Mary Wickes as Grandma

            Annette Bening as Evelyn Ames

            Simon Callow as Simon Asquith

            Gary Morton as Marty Wiener

            Dana Ivey as Wardrobe Mistress

            Sidney Armus as Sid Roth

            René Assa as Passport Official

            Robin Bartlett as Aretha

            Steven Brill as Assistant Director No. 2

            Michael Byers as Allen

            Gloria Crayton as Maid at Party

            Jim Cuddy as Blue Rodeo Band

            Stanley de Santis
            
            James Deeth as Helicopter Pilot

            Jessica Z. Diamond as Script Supervisor

            Bazil Donovan
            
            Evelina Fernandez as Airline Employee

            Susan Forristal as Friends at Airport

            Scott Frankel as Pianist at Party

            Mark French as Blue Rodeo Band

            Jane Galloway Heitz as Nurse

            Barbara Garrick as Carol

            Kathleen Gray as Cindy

            Ken Gutstein as Director of Photography

            R.M. Haley as Assistant Director No. 1

            Anthony Heald as George Lazan

            Roy Helland as Makeup Man

            Greg Keelor as Blue Rodeo Band

            Shelley Kirk as First Lady

            Sheridan Leatherbury as Stand-In

            Mark Lowenthal as Bart

            Robert Marshall as Helicopter Pilot

            Gary Matanky as Sound Editor

            Natalia Nogulich as Friend at Airport

            Peter Onorati as Cameraman

            Michael Ontkean as Robert Munch

            Oliver Platt as Neil Bleene

            CCH Pounder as Julie Marsden

            Douglas Roberts as Soundman

            Pepe Serna as Raoul

            J.D. Souther as Ted

            Jason Tomlins as Officer

            Marc Tubert as Sound Editor

            John Verea as Young Intern

            George D. Wallace as Carl

            Bob Weiseman as Blue Rodeo Band

            Carrie Fisher
            
            Neil Machlis as Rob Sonnenfeld

            Juliet Taylor
            
            Ellen Lewis
            
            Gary Jones as Fan at Party
See full cast