Used People *** (1992, Shirley MacLaine, Marcello Mastroianni, Kathy Bates, Jessica Tandy, Marcia Gay Harden) – Classic Movie Review 10,468

Director Beeban Kidron’s 1992 drama Used People offers good opportunities for a lovely bunch of actresses, and is a funny, good-natured, cosily predictable film, with enough edge to see it over the sticky sentiment.

Shirley MacLaine stars as late 60s New York Jewish grandmother Pearl Berman, who is burying her husband Jack (Bob Dishy), when up pops his old Italian buddy Joe Meledandri (Marcello Mastroianni) to romance the reluctant old dear.

Marcia Gay Harden in Used People.

Canny performances from the star duo MacLaine and Mastroianni, who have spent 40 years apiece learning how to charm the pants off audiences without making them feel manipulated, are supported by Jessica Tandy (as her obstinate mom) and Kathy Bates and Marcia Gay Harden as her divorced, antagonistic daughters. Alas they have fewer opportunities for throat-catching moments.

Films about emotional pain, ageing, death and loss of loved ones aren’t easy either to make or to watch, and this is a welcome, civilised entertainment with lots of good roles for women, and a valuable American chance for Mastroianni.

Todd Graff writes the screenplay, based on Graff’s plays The Grandma Plays.

Also in the cast are Emma Tammi, Asia Vieira, Lee Wallace, Louis Goss, Gil Filar, Maia Filar, Irving Metzman, Matthew Branton, David Gow, Sylvia Sidney, Doris Roberts, Helen Hanft, Jeremy Tracz, Stuart Stone, Rosario Russo, Charles Cioffi and Joe Pantoliano.

© Derek Winnert 2020 Classic Movie Review 10,468

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