To Gillian on Her 37th Birthday *** (1996, Michelle Pfeiffer, Peter Gallagher, Claire Danes) – Classic Movie Review 1659

Director Michael Pressman’s 1996 tearjerking emotional drama is based on the play by Michael Brady, with a script by co-producer David E Kelley.

Michelle Pfeiffer stars as Gillian Lewis, beloved wife of David (Peter Gallagher), who deals with the fact that Gillian died two years earlier by talking to her ghostly spirit on the beach. Claire Danes plays their daughter, Rachel. There won’t be a dry eye in the house for this big, fat, girly weepie that’s unashamed catnip for sentimentalists.

Boys don’t cry, maybe, but they will find that this one is expertly acted, well written, appealing and extremely touching.

First big-screen movie of Freddie Prinze Jr, aged 20. Laurie Fortier, Wendy Crewson, Bruce Altman, Kathy Baker and Seth Green co-star.

David E Kelley is the creator of Chicago Hope, Boston Legal and Ally McBeal, and also the writer of  Mystery, Alaska and Lake Placid.

© Derek Winnert 2014 Classic Movie Review 1659

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