I lived in Reno for 18 years and was there when this movie was filmed. I had no idea it was being filmed and believe me Reno is the Biggest Little City in the World, and if a movie is being filmed there it's almost impossible to not know. Yet, I had no idea this was going on. The concept of the story is reasonable, but the concept is all that is delivered. All the fluff story propped up around the concept just is not good. Scott Glen seems to be just about the level of a leering drunk and how Pen "falls" for him is just not apparent. Jennifer Tilly is lovely and carries her part very well, but Scott Glen and Stockard Channing's characters require more script quality before they could be held responsible for the out come. (Bad writing can not be overcome by the best of them.) As I watched I saw them drive from the Hilton to the Airport through downtown and rolled my eyes at the director's ploy to present Reno's bright lights as window dressing. If you don't know Reno, all is OK and the director's trick is well received.

Edie would be annoying if not for having Pen as a sidekick. To Pen, Edie is the reflection of what she used to be before her now ex-husband sucked the joy out of her with lies and betrayal. ***Spoiler Alert*** At first when Pen realizes that Edie is the woman her husband has left her for, she is understandably angry, but then realizes a few things: 1.She probably was at one time "the other woman", even though she may not have known it and 2. Edie is clearly unaware that Victor is even married. This isn't spoken, but rather how Pen reacts to Edie's attachment to a lighter that was given to Edie by Victor. ***End Spoiler***Chatty? Yes, totally, but for me, this was a fun compilation of Hollywood's finest, appearances by Michael McKean, Michael O'Keefe, Scott Glenn, Beverlt D'Angelo-it just looks like they had fun doing this wacky movie. It may not be Oscar worthy, but definitely a good view.

I noticed the IMDB give the title of this movie as EDIE & PEN where as in Britain it`s called DESERT GAMBLE which is a far more exciting title . What does a movie named DESERT GAMBLE conjure up to you ? A war film set in the North African campaign of 1942 ? A heist movie of likable geezers going to Vegas to rip off the mob ? Or perhaps even a disaster movie about a plane crashing into the Sahara . Nothing as exciting as that happens in this film so I guess EDIE & PEN is a more accurate title since it doesn`t really conjure up anything And nothing really happens in the movie either , it`s basically a low concept dialogue driven chick flick about two women who meet in a red neck bar , one of whom has a sort of relationship with a red neck and the two women swap life stories . I guess girls who are not expecting too much might enjoy it and it is very inoffensive but that`s hardly massive praise

I watched this late one night when nothing was on. I chose it for Jennifer Tilly. She's cool. I like Scott Glenn too. Ever since Silverado I've liked him. And he was excellent in The Silence of the Lambs. This is a good story about two women who quickly became friends. Shared stories and secrets about men (read Helen's review for more info).I was glad I watched it. Hadn't seen Stockard Channing much lately. She was in The First Wive's Club just for a bit. I should have seen the ending coming where Edie's new boyfriend is Pen's old... oh nevermind, go watch it.7.5 out of 10