Isn’t She Great **** (2000, Bette Midler, Nathan Lane, Stockard Channing) – Classic Movie Review 764

An ideally cast Bette Midler has a field day as real-life failed actress Jacqueline Susann, who turns herself into the queen of the trashy bestsellers after becoming the world-famous writer of The Valley of the Dolls, and enjoys enormous literary success before being stricken down with cancer.

The mix of laughs, heartaches and tears pays off in terms of a richly entertaining movie, thanks mainly to the deliciously enjoyable performances.

Even with shaky writing by Paul Rudnick (who also wrote In & Out in 1997) and shakier direction by Andrew Bergman, in 2000 it was still the triumphant Midler’s best movie in a while. In fact, maybe her best since That Old Feeling in 1997.

Nathan Lane supports loyally and well as Irving Mansfield, the successful promoter who becomes Susann’s husband. Lane and Midler are a super double act. Stockard Channing, David Hyde Pierce, John Cleese, John Laroquette, Amanda Peet and Christopher McDonald beef up the cast.

Rudnick based his screenplay on an article by Michael Korda. Rudnick also wrote Addams Family Values (1993), Jeffrey (1995) and The Stepford Wives (2004). He writes a monthly satirical film review column for Premiere magazine under the name ‘Libby Gelman-Waxner’

© Derek Winnert 2014 Classic Movie Review 764

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