Leave of Absence

Generally enjoy B. Dennehy as an actor, although I believe he plays a better cop than he does a creep. While I am no stiff-neck, I find it hard to indulge creeps. Family values, in the conventional not the political code-word sense, take a beating in the core of this film. Things appeared to be going fine, the characters were becoming more interesting up to when Brian slipped on Nell's banana peel. From that point on events become less convincing and more contrived much as when accidents are staged with the same peel.

Well among those things are Blythe Danner, a good supporting cast, and a satisfying ending. See, this jerk of an architect falls for a new associate on a project he is assigned. She is a neo-hippie type with good legs. Never mind that he has a wife (Blythe) of many years, and a beautiful daughter just beginning to spread her wings. The associate with whom our "hero" has been carrying on a passionate affair discovers she has leukemia and only a few months to live. So what does this paragon family man do? Why he leaves home to be with his paramour in her last days, expecting his wife to welcome him back when it is all over. Surprise, surprise. Wifey kicks his, um, well she kicks him out. That's the satisfying part of the story. The last we see of the architect, he is drinking alone in a sushi bar.

If it were not for Blythe Danner, this soapy trash would not be worth your time. I really have a hard time believing Polly Bergen wrote it.

Well acted but a very shallow script.Brian Deneheny doesn't get much to work with and his interaction with the vibrant Jackie Bissett is uneven The premise of an affair with a dying woman holds lots of promise for a deep and satisfying plot. However, it just floats on obvious developments and ends in a whimper.

I am an unconditional fan of Brian Dennehy ( like Charles Durning ). I like them physically and generally like the characters they portray in films. This film is a little different because it is immoral, and I'm not quite sure why the director made it. The offending item ( above and beyond Dennehy himself of course ) is Jacqueline Bisset whom I love very much too - a real lady with a lovely face and accent. This charm cannot hide the fact that Dennehy does the dirty on his wife who is far less attractive ( I presume this was done on purpose to manipulate the spectator ! ) The punishment for this is that this happiness cannot last because the third party is condemned to die of cancer, but what is almost unbelievable is Dennehy's request to his wife that he goes to live with Bisset for the time of her illness, and that his wife should take him back when Bisset snuffs it. What a cheek ! Of course the ending is otherwise and he gets the just desserts. In spite of the immoral story line, I found the acting very good and plausible, I am biased because I love both of the main actors but cared little for Dennehy's wife who does not come over as an attractive person. In short, I would recommend the film for the actors and acting but would warn would-be viewers of the immorality of its plot. Obviously in France ( and perhaps certain other European countries like the UK or Holland ) this sort of behaviour does go on in real life and the media would have us believe ( I hasten to add, though, that it cuts no ice with me ! ) that it is " normal " but viewers in other countries may well be shocked by certain aspects of this film. You are warned !

After a couple of false starts with films that bored the life out of me on a Friday night, I stumbled upon this old gem on Prime. I love the 80s/90s love affairs- turned-obsessive films and old Lifetime movies, it's my go to comfort genre. This was not a stalker type of affair, but a domestic drama with a solid marriage unexpectedly rocked. What is it about these older films that are so easy and clean cut- a basic, everyday life kind of storyline, no frills or fuss. Good solid acting. The actors are so convincing they may as well be the character. You also get the warm and fuzzy nostalgic feeling (although someone's marriage is falling apart, sorry) of simpler times. I found this satisfying and perfect to watch with the fireplace on and a warm mug of tea.