It's a drug addiction recovery drama in Southern California in the late 1980s. It follows the crash and complex recovery by Suzanne Vale (Meryl Streep), a well-known actress and daughter of an even more famous actress, Doris Mann (Shirley MacLaine). We see Suzanne's near-death overdose, her drop-off at the hospital by sleazy producer Jack Faulkner (Dennis Quaid), and her treatment by Dr. Frankenthal (Richard Dreyfuss). We then get a glimpse of Suzanne's experience in a rehab center and then her return to working in a B-movie.
The film then focuses on Suzanne and Doris's relationship. We see how the family traits have been inherited when we meet Grandma (Mary Wickes) and Grandpa (Conrad Bain). There are several family crises, close encounters with relapse, and a return to working with Director Lowell Kolchek (Gene Hackman).
"Postcards from the Edge" is touted as a comedy-drama. It's more drama than comedy but has some humorous edges. The script sometimes can't decide what it is. Streep and MacLaine are both excellent, with some great scenes between them. The number of big names doing cameos is excessive and detracts from the focus on the relationship between a damaged mother and a damaged daughter. The film doesn't go over the top, which would be a real temptation.
The film then focuses on Suzanne and Doris's relationship. We see how the family traits have been inherited when we meet Grandma (Mary Wickes) and Grandpa (Conrad Bain). There are several family crises, close encounters with relapse, and a return to working with Director Lowell Kolchek (Gene Hackman).
"Postcards from the Edge" is touted as a comedy-drama. It's more drama than comedy but has some humorous edges. The script sometimes can't decide what it is. Streep and MacLaine are both excellent, with some great scenes between them. The number of big names doing cameos is excessive and detracts from the focus on the relationship between a damaged mother and a damaged daughter. The film doesn't go over the top, which would be a real temptation.
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