Best Friends

Warner. Director Norman Jewison; Producer Norman Jewison; Screenplay Valerie Curtin, Barry Levinson; Camera Jordan Cronenweth; Editor Don Zimmerman; Music Michel Legrand; Art Director Joe Russo

Burt Reynolds
Goldie Hawn
Jessica Tandy
Barnard Hughes
Audra Lindley
Keenan Wynn

Best Friends is probably not the light romantic comedy audiences expect from a Burt Reynolds-Goldie Hawn screen pairing but is nevertheless a very engaging film. Addressing the problems two writers in a professional and personal relationship encounter when they decide to get married, almost all of the picture's funny moments are underscored by the more serious issues they face from themselves, their families and society as a 'married couple'.

Both stars are tremendously aided by an intelligent screenplay from Valerie Curtin and Barry Levinson, who are said to have based at least part of this work on their own relationship. They leave Hawn and Reynolds more than enough room to inject their own nuances.

Director Norman Jewison does a capable job of moving things along and a nice balance between comedy and drama.

1982: Nomination: Best Original Song ('How Do You Keep the Music Playing')

(Color) Available on VHS, DVD. Extract of a review from 1982. Running time: 116 MIN.

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