Scenes from a Mall (1990)

33% of critics liked it
(24 reviews)
28% of users liked it
(4,911 ratings)

Woody Allen and Bette Midler star as a well-heeled couple who spend their 16th wedding anniversary at the mall shopping for a party that they're throwing that night. In the course of the shopping afternoon, they watch their marriage hit the rocks as serious problems develop when the guy admits to an… More Woody Allen and Bette Midler star as a well-heeled couple who spend their 16th wedding anniversary at the mall shopping for a party that they're throwing that night. In the course of the shopping afternoon, they watch their marriage hit the rocks as serious problems develop when the guy admits to an earlier infidelity, and an out-and-out argument develops. ~ Rovi

Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 27 min.
Directed By: Paul Mazursky
Genres: Comedy, Romance

In Theaters: Feb 22, 1991 Wide
On DVD: Apr 8, 2003

Critic Reviews

Variety Staff, Variety
Paul Mazursky's 14th film as director is a cozy, insular middle-aged marital comedy that's about as deep and rewarding as a day of mall-cruising.
Jonathan Rosenbaum, Chicago Reader
Mazursky has returned with a vengeance to his special universe where the upper middle class is the only thing that exists, and this time he has absolutely nothing to say about it.
Vincent Canby, New York Times
Scenes From a Mall is a peculiar but, finally, very engaging comedy.
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times
When a movie seems overflowing with interesting, colorful details, that is often a sign of desperation -- a way of saying, if the picture's no good, get a gaudier frame.
Rita Kempley, Washington Post
A close-up look at a couple's painful catharsis so well wedded to marital discord it's like going through a divorce with yourself.
, TV Guide's Movie Guide
There are moments here and there, but it's mostly ordinary, unimaginative writing. Midler and Allen deserve better.
Wally Hammond, Time Out
Allen's admittedly funny lines get lost in the mess, and Midler, in relatively restrained mode, fades away altogether.
Rob Thomas, Capital Times (Madison, WI)
Sorta funny, but the gap yawns between what it is and what it should have been.
Alex Sandell, Juicy Cerebellum
Again proving Woody Allen should stick with Woody Allen movies.
Scott Weinberg, eFilmCritic.com
Funny in fits and starts before wearing out its welcome in short order.
James Sanford, Kalamazoo Gazette
Some funny moments, but it should have been a triumph
Ken Hanke, Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)
There's a reason Woody Allen usually directs himself.
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, Spirituality and Practice
Examines a marriage under siege.
, Film4
There's a horrible fascination here that goes beyond Woody's ponytail.
Clint Morris, Moviehole
Next time you go shopping leave Woody and Bette at home

Read all 15 critic reviews

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

No Featured Audience Ratings Found…

Cast

            Bette Midler as Deborah Fifer

            Woody Allen as Nick

            William Irwin as Mime

            Daren Firestone as Sam

            Rebecca Nickels as Jennifer

            Paul Mazursky as Dr. Hans Clava

            Glen Alterman as Owner Museum Shop

            Jose Rafael Arango as Bus Boy

            Tichina Arnold as Ticket Seller

            Laura Baler as Chocolate Candy Girl

            Ron Barry-Barry as Man on Car Phone

            Amanda Bruce as Woman Interviewee

            Augustin Bustamante as El Mariachi Bustamente Member

            Bobby Caravella as Man in Parking Garage

            Chun Long Zhang as Chinese Acrobat

            Vira Colorado as Security Guard

            Leonel Cruz as El Mariachi Bustamente Member

            Joan Delaney as Woman Interviewer

            Fabio as Handsome Man

            Patrick Farrelly as Santa

            David Frye as Barber Shop Quartet Member

            Penny Gaston as Pharmacy Patron

            Heather Golden as Female Sikh

            Michael Greene as Motorcyclist

            Jonathan Guss as Barber Shop Quartet Member

            Carol Harris as Waitress Nuvo Navajo

            Telmo Hernandez as El Mariachi Bustamente Member

            Hidehiko Takada as Sushi Chef

            Kathy Kamarr as Magician's Assistant

            Donnie Kelber as Kid in Van

            Wanakee Legardy as Dress Shop Saleswoman

            Anne Lockhart as ADR Voice

            Darrell Mason as Joe Cool & the Coolers Member

            Betsy Mazursky as Information Woman

            Gregory Moore as Barber Shop Quartet Member

            Phillip Nozaki as Kid in Van

            Steve Ortiz as El Mariachi Bustamente Member

            Marilyn Pasekoff as Woman at Book Store

            Andre Philippe as Taxi Driver

            James Duane Polk as Man on Movie Line

            Ramon Ponce as El Mariachi Bustamente Member

            Steven Dominic Prestianni as Male Sikh

            Fernando Quinones as El Mariachi Bustamente Member

            Minna Rose as Pharmacy Patron

            Stewart Russell as Pharmacy Patron

            Larry Sherman as Man on Car Phone

            Shiro Oishi as Man on Car Phone

            Joe Viviani as Pharmacy Patron

            Jack Brodsky as Pharmacist

            Robert Garrett as Bartender

            Stuart H. Pappe as Motorcyclist

            Marc Shaiman as Pianist

            Joseph Warren as Joe Cool & the Coolers Member

            Joy Todd
            
            Billy Graham as Security Guard

            Michael Brown as Barber Shop Quartet Member

            Bill Irwin
            
See full cast

Now you can share movies with your friends on Facebook!

Discover movies your friends are watching
Keep track of what you want to see
Add your reviews to your Timeline

Get Started