Best Friends *** (1982, Burt Reynolds, Goldie Hawn, Jessica Tandy) – Classic Movie Review 11,246

Director Norman Jewison’s 1982 comedy Best Friends is a lively vehicle for Burt Reynolds and Goldie Hawn as Richard and Paula, successful writing and living partners, who after five years make the mistake of marrying and find trouble with each other’s in-laws.

The well-paired stars are on good form, and the script by Valerie Curtin and Barry Levinson (based on their own best friendship and marriage) pokes a lot of bright fun at the expense of marriage and Hollywood.

There is excellent support by Jessica Tandy, Barnard Hughes, Ron Silver, Keenan Wynn, Richard Libertini, Audra Lindley and Carol Locatell.

The score is by Michel Legrand, whose song ‘How Do You Keep the Music Playing?’ (lyrics by Alan Bergman and Marilyn Bergman) was Oscar nominated.

Valerie Curtin has an uncredited cameo as Paula’s Friend in Playpen.

Valerie Curtin and Barry Levinson were married from 13 December 1977 to 14 December 1984 (divorced). They wrote scripts together including …and Justice for All (1979). While Curtin performed in San Francisco, he wrote Diner (1982) and met Diana Rhodes in Baltimore while he was filming it. They married in 1983 and had two children.

© Derek Winnert 2021 Classic Movie Review 11,246

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