Leave of Absence

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.

I really am not sure what the self acclaimed 'morality police' are doing here (lol) but I saw this movie completely differently.

Here is a situation that moves us and asks us to explore the frailty and imperfections in human relationships. There are two lines in the movie that I found poignant - 'A relationship is an idea' and 'Some people just fit'.

The word,'immoral', that has been quoted on this review list several times is an objective word. This movie is an intelligent, thinking person's film. It explores love, relationships, commitment and how things are not always black and white; and as much as we try to deny it, it may be possible to love two people at the same time. I am also tempted to quote John Lennon - 'Life is what happens to you when you're busy making other plans'.

Personally I would much rather watch an exploration of the human psyche in relationships than murder (which is a subject I believe of many Brian Dennehy films).

I must also comment on the 'spoiler' that was in one of the reviews on here about the end of the movie. I won't comment on the ending as the other reviewer did as I don't wish to ruin it for anyone but I will say that I saw the ending in a different light to what the other reviewer did so don't let it 'spoil' the movie for you.

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.

Good acting for the most part, but not much of a script. Tim Lounibos gives a wonderful understated performance. Brian Dennehy makes the most of his role. Blythe Danner was very good. Jacqueline Bisset was good, but could use a good hair conditioner. The plot is typical movie of the week. I did enjoy seeing the performers named as well as Jessica Water and Tonea Stewart. Watch it for the acting rather than the plot.

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.