Published via Ecency

(source: tmdb.org)

Before becoming successful screenwriter and director in Hollywood, Nora Ephron was married to Carl Bernstein, reporter famous for revealing Watergate scandal. The marriage ended in a way that would inspire Ephron to describe it in Heartburn, 1983 humorous roman à clef. The book became bestseller and in 1986 it was adapted into eponymous feature film directed by Mike Nichols.

Nora Ephron’s alter ego in this film, played by Meryl Streep, is Rachel Samstat, divorced food writer from Manhattan. She meets Mark Forman (played by Jack Nicholson), divorced political reporter from Washington, D.C. Two of them start romantic relationship and, despite Mark’s reputation of a ladies’ man and Rachel’s initial reluctance, marry. Marriage at first looks idyllic and both spouses are even happier when gives birth to a daughter Annie (played by Mamie Gummer, Meryl Streep’s real life daughter). Rachel, however, gradually begins to suspect that Mark is unfaithful and her suspicions are proven correct when she finds evidence of an affair with Washington socialite Thelma Rice (played by Karen Akers). Pregnant with a second child, she leaves Mark and return to her father’s home in New York, only to be surprised by Mark not trying to call her back. When he does, she decides to give him another chance.

Two main roles were played by “Oscar”-awarded actors in their prime and that is the main reasons why Heartburn had very good results at the box office. Critics were, however, mostly disappointed. The main explanation can be found in Ephron’s screen adaptation of her novel. While her forte is comedy, this film looks like a drama with bits of mostly lame and forgettable jokes and uninspired dialogue. Character of Mark is one-dimensional and the talent of Jack Nicholson looks wasted for such undemanding role. Mike Nichols doesn’t help with his inept direction, which often makes scenes overlong, often sucking out all humour out of them. There are bits and pieces when it looks that Heartburn could have been something great – like the scene when Mark, after the news of Rachel’s pregnancy, starts singing traditional pop standards and songs from Broadway musicals. But those moments are too few and far in between to generally improve impression. The best thing about film is musical score by Carly Simon which also includes song “Coming Around Again” which became big hit. Heartburn also features Kevin Spacey playing small role of street robber in his screen debut.

RATING: 3/10 (+)