IMDb > Postcards from the Edge (1990)
Postcards from the Edge
Quicklinks
Top Links
trailers and videosfull cast and crewtriviaofficial sitesmemorable quotes
Overview
main detailscombined detailsfull cast and crewcompany creditstv schedule
Awards & Reviews
user commentsexternal reviewsnewsgroup reviewsawardsuser ratingsparents guiderecommendationsmessage board
Plot & Quotes
plot summarysynopsisplot keywordsAmazon.com summarymemorable quotes
Fun Stuff
triviagoofssoundtrack listingcrazy creditsalternate versionsmovie connectionsFAQ
Other Info
merchandising linksbox office/businessrelease datesfilming locationstechnical specslaserdisc detailsDVD detailsliterature listingsNewsDesk
Promotional
taglines trailers and videos posters photo gallery
External Links
showtimesofficial sitesmiscellaneousphotographssound clipsvideo clips

Postcards from the Edge (1990) More at IMDbPro »

Videos
Postcards from the Edge (1990) -- US Home Video Trailer from RCA Selectavision

Overview

User Rating:
6.4/10   5,506 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Down 16% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Mike Nichols
Writers (WGA):
Carrie Fisher (book)
Carrie Fisher (screenplay)
Contact:
View company contact information for Postcards from the Edge on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
12 September 1990 (USA) more
Genre:
Comedy | Drama more
Tagline:
Having a wonderful time, wish I were here.
Plot:
Substance-addicted Hollywood actress Suzanne Vale is on the skids. After a spell at a detox centre her... more | add synopsis
Awards:
Nominated for 2 Oscars. Another 2 wins & 7 nominations more
NewsDesk:
Halfway House: Oh Suzanne-ah
 (From FilmExperience. 3 November 2009, 9:00 AM, PST)

User Comments:
Triumph For Fisher more (39 total)

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)

Meryl Streep ... Suzanne Vale

Shirley MacLaine ... Doris Mann

Dennis Quaid ... Jack Faulkner

Gene Hackman ... Lowell Kolchek

Richard Dreyfuss ... Doctor Frankenthal

Rob Reiner ... Joe Pierce

Mary Wickes ... Grandma
Conrad Bain ... Grandpa

Annette Bening ... Evelyn Ames
Simon Callow ... Simon Asquith
Gary Morton ... Marty Wiener

CCH Pounder ... Julie Marsden (as C.C.H. Pounder)
Sidney Armus ... Sid Roth
Robin Bartlett ... Aretha

Barbara Garrick ... Carol
more
Create a character page for: ?

Additional Details

Runtime:
101 min | Canada:95 min (edited version)
Country:
USA
Language:
English
Colour:
Colour (Technicolor)
Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Dolby
Filming Locations:
Los Angeles, California, USA

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
The framed poster in Doris' house of Doris and a young Suzanne on the cover of LIFE magazine is a real cover shot of Shirley MacLaine and her daughter, Sachiko. more
Goofs:
Continuity: Shirley's head-scarf changes from loose to firmly fastened between shots at the hospital. more
Quotes:
Suzanne Vale: I have nothing to say.
Aretha: The same cannot be said for the rest of your family.
more
Movie Connections:
Referenced in Vampires and Other Stereotypes (1994) (V) more
Soundtrack:
From This Moment On more

FAQ

This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.
24 out of 31 people found the following comment useful.
Triumph For Fisher, 15 February 2002
7/10
Author: Cheetah-6 from Maui

Great performances by Meryl Streep and Shirley MacLaine. They are both hilarious and poignant in this Carrie Fisher story about a show business daughter coming through the process of working out emotional trauma and baggage in relation to her mother, upbringing and subsequent addiction problems. Also especially good is Gene Hackman in a small supporting role and a cameo by Rob Reiner. Streep and MacLaine carry this film with their talents and are very entertaining as they confront each other and themselves about personal flaws and foibles. What makes this work so well is the smart and oblique humor that is employed to address the internal pain of the main character. I also liked the little jabs at the movie industry itself as well as its nonchalant way of revealing some of it's visual tricks too.

One particular touching and bittersweet scene is between Hackman (as movie director) as he comforts Streep (an actress he's working with) with a sort of lighthearted understanding and encouragement to overcome her drug addiction as he builds her up with appreciation of her talent.

Considering the obvious autobiographical nature of this story for Fisher, it would appear to be sort of a catharsis for her. She does a good job in bringing painful personal issues to light with humor through her writing. Personal pain and demons often seem to be the source of great art and entertainment as well as amusement for many artists and through their art, for the rest of us as well. This is a case in point and definitely worth the time.

Was the above comment useful to you?
more (39 total)

Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for Postcards from the Edge (1990)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
Sequel in the works??? merylstreep69
at the end cynthiaf111
meryl's daughter cynthiaf111
MaClaine's 'I'm Still Here' RevolutionUtena
Surpried by the Film! yesbloom
Meryl's Appearance jcurrie58-1
more

Recommendations

If you enjoyed this title, our database also recommends:
- - - - -
The Aviator Ed Wood Permanent Midnight The Legend of Lylah Clare Sunset Blvd.
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
Show more recommendations

Related Links

Full cast and crew Company credits External reviews
News articles IMDb Comedy section IMDb USA section
Add this title to MyMovies

You may report errors and omissions on this page to the IMDb database managers. They will be examined and if approved will be included in a future update. Clicking the 'Update' button will take you through a step-by-step process.