gregorycanfield Review of Just Tell Me What You Want

Just Tell Me What You Want (1980)

I'll tell you what I want: a better movie!

[6/10 · 18 June 2023]

Yes. I would have liked (and expected) a better movie from Sidney Lumet. This is a movie populated by exceedingly unlikeable characters. Trouble is, the movie plays as if you're expected to like these unlikeable characters. At the top of the list is Alan King as Max. You get the feeling that you're supposed to think he's funny, but he's never anything but loud and abrasive. A few times, throughout the movie, King starts shouting at the top of his lungs. These fits of rage don't seem to be based on anything particularly important. At least, no more important than the things he doesn't shout about. What is the movie really about? Affluent people who cheat with (and on) each other, because nobody really cares about anybody, in the first place. Ali MacGraw is actually the best thing about this movie. That's not a very big compliment, because her character is just as unlikeable as the others. However, Ali looks good here, and she gives a good performance. I'll also give her credit for being a little "bold." In addition to her usual "braless" look, we also get a few shots of her topless. Not bad, but there should have been more! Ali's character is named "Bones." Doesn't fit. I would have chosen another part of her anatomy. For the record: King is cheating on his wife with MacGraw, who winds up cheating on him with Peter Weller. Interestingly, the relationship between MacGraw and Weller was the only likeable component in the movie. There was some detectable chemistry. All in all, a very mixed bag. Ali pushed the envelope a little, and that was great. However, both she and director Lumet were capable of better.