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Before reading some of the IMDb reviewers here, I thought that "Just Tell Me What You Want" had been mis-labeled a comedy. There is nothing in this film that tickled my funny bone. Indeed, watching a bombastic, temperamental, manipulative, egotistical, nasty, wealthy tyrant in his domineering corporate empire and adulterous personal life just isn't very entertaining. I like clean comedies that make me laugh or smile a lot. Still, I stayed with it - more like struggled to pay attention to get through it, so that I didn't miss anything. Well, there was no comedy to miss, that I could find.

But then I read the reviews, including a couple of frequent reviewers I look for, who often have informative comments. And they like this film - although I don't see any remarks specifically about the comedy or anything funny. It seems to appeal to some as a sophisticated take off or resemblance of one or more moguls of the movie or big entertainment industry.

So, why do I even bother to give this three stars? Because there's no doubt that a couple of the actors played their parts very well. Alan King, for one, and Myrna Loy for the other. It's just that King's Max Herschel is such an unlikeable character, that he quickly becomes boringly irritating. And, it's too bad there wasn't a better movie than this for Myrna Loy to end her career with.

A baker's dozen of reviewers preceded my comments here, and all seemed to like this film. Some even made glowing remarks about it. But only 672 viewers rated this movie before me, and It's overall rating of 5.5 doesn't speak very well for its popularity. Indeed, it didn't do at all well when it came out in 1980. The critics panned the film and it was a box office flop, probably not even covering its budget with gross ticket sales of just $2 million.

Alan King's world falls apart when long time mistress Ali Macgrue breaks up with him and marries much younger Peter Weller. Snobby comedy isn't for all taste, but is expertly performed and is very, very funny, especially the scene in the department store. Alan King is displayed at his absolute as is Loy in a quite performance. Terrific entertainment. 9 out 10.

This under-rated movie that no one ever saw is worth a look. Alan King and Ali McGraw make a great couple, believe it or not. Dina Merrill is hysterically funny as Alan's wife, Connie. She is out of her mind and his affair is not helping. Myrna Loy, a screen legend, does not disappoint with her small part as Alan's right arm/valuable assistant. Also along for the ride are Keenan Wynn, Peter Weller and Tony Roberts.

This slightly jaded look at the film industry, and at love, is the work of Jay Presson Allen, who also wrote "Marnie", "Cabaret", and "The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie". You will find her trademarks: fascinating characters and witty, insightful rapid-fire dialog.

Her 20th Century women lack sugar-coating. But here, a lot of the action concerns the close ties of an unconventional family. This, along with the heroine's ironic first-person narration, give the story a lighter, less distant feel. However, the direction and pacing are uneven and the picture has been overlooked.

A year after this film was released, Jay Presson Allen and Sidney Lumet wrote and produced Prince of the City, a much darker film about police corruption. It found a far warmer reception. And Alan King has a cameo, playing himself.

This movie became one of my favorites the instant I saw it and I didn't even like Ali MacGraw! But I like her just fine now. This is an absolutely top-notch production from start to finish and the performances are outstanding -- without exception. I mean here you have Alan King, with Keenan Wynn, and Myrna Loy as supporting actors! MacGraw and Peter Weller are very appealing as young lovers and MacGraw gives her perhaps only great performance. She pulls out all the stops in this one and couldn't be better. I just love this movie and can't understand why it wasn't a big hit. Well, I can, actually. It doesn't appeal to immature adolescent boys (including most Hollywood producers).