Postcards from the edge really was destined for greatness just by hearing who heads up the cast. I mean come on, Shirley MacLaine and Meryl Streep! Two of my favorite actress starring in a powerful well written film. The two legendary artists turn in fine performances. They have great chemistry and deliver the dialogue very well. The two have very strong words for one another throughout the entire movie, the script is full of heated exchanges between the mother and daughter. They have an extremely fractured/strained relationship and that relationship is what the movie focuses on. There are some comedic moments and pieces of dialogue, so it's not all heavy and dramatic, but much of it is pretty heavy because there is a lot of junk in the past between the two that they try to work through and deal with. Honestly this movie relies on two things to make it work, without these things the film would fail miserably. The script and the actors performances. And since those aspects of the movie are spot on, this one is a big win. If you're looking for a family drama with some heavy issues and also some well done comedic material, then I'd definitely suggest postcards from the edge! 9/10.

Postcards from the Edge is a painfully compelling story about a young and talented actress overshadowed by her older and wildly famous actress mother.This movie, based on Carrie Fisher's novel of the same name, expertly explores the relationship of the parent/child who work in the same industry. You can see how competitive they get and how proud of one another they are. You can't help but compare their vices--one likes hard liquor and the other likes hard drugs--and how they go about denying that they have them. Streep and MacLaine play off of each other masterfully and really understand the relationship between the two characters. Maclaine steals the show with her subtle nuances that remind the viewer of who she is not-so-secretly-secretly channeling (For those of you who don't know, the story is based on Fisher's relationship with her mother Debbie Reynolds) though Streep hits her stride as the rain clouded daughter who refuses to be outshone.The harrowing heart of the story is enough to keep you engrossed for days, but you'll have to settle for the meager 100 minutes they give you. (Trust me, it flies by) Carrie Fisher proves that she has real artistic talent as she (Also wrote the screenplay) demonstrates most profoundly that she can capture the human heart and all of its trappings.Although the tale is one of a tumultuous and troubled relationship between the two stars, you will not fail to see the unconditional love that shines through right to the very end. 8.5/10

POTCARDS FROM THE EDGE is a glittering all-star comedy based on the best selling book by Carrie Fisher that chronicles a particular difficult period in Fisher's life and her relationship with mom Debbie Reynolds. In this fictionalized version of the events in Fisher's life, Meryl Streep plays Suzanne, an actress who has just been released from rehab on the condition that she be under the custody and roof of her mother, a former actress (Shirley MacLaine) and what happens when she finally gets her first chance to work after coming out of rehab. This story is smart and funny and features a wonderful cast including Dennis Quaid, Gene Hackman, Richard Dreyfuss,Rob Reiner,Conrad Bain, Mary Wickes, Annette Bening, Gary Morton, and CCH Pounder, but it is really the amazing performances by Streep and MacLaine that make this movie work. Both ladies are also given opportunities to sing and make the most of them. The song "I"m Checkin' Out" which Meryl sings at the end of the movie, received an Oscar nomination for Best Original Song as did Streep for Best Actress.

Luke Skywalker is not the only member of the Star Wars gang with parent issues. Carrie Fisher, the actress who played Princess Leia, channeled hers into a novel that became another winning Mike Nichols domestic comedy, "Postcards From The Edge."Meryl Streep stars as Carrie alter-ego Suzanne Vale, a once-successful actress trying to restart her career after a near-fatal O.D. Her mother, a screen legend in her day named Doris Mann (Shirley MacLaine), happily takes on the responsibility of overseeing Suzanne's recovery, especially given the attendant oversight she gets on daughter's life and career."I really hate that you have to go through this," Doris sighs upon visiting her daughter in the rehab clinic. "I wish I could go through this for you." MacLaine gives, frame for frame, the best performance in the film, one of her best ever. She and Streep seem to feed off the best aspects of each other's prior screen work, Streep picking up on MacLaine's sass and comedic chops, MacLaine on the way Streep can give you a sea of sadness through just a flickering gleam in her eyes.Streep's comedy turn is the big surprise here, especially given how successfully she pulls it off. No dingoes running off with babies in this production. Nichols helps by putting her in situations that are very un-Streepish, like being threatened by cheesy "Scarface" extras or inhaling Fritos. Whatever the props, Meryl herself makes me laugh, something I never expected. Not that she lays back. Her gift for inhabiting others' skin is on fine display, as she gives Suzanne Carrie Fisher's wry intonations and wan half-laugh.You can hear the connection on the DVD commentary; a candid, amusing piece by Fisher in which she explains the background of "Postcards," why she considers it "emotionally autobiographical" in the way it deals with her own past drug issues and especially her relationship with her movie-star mother, Debbie Reynolds. At the same time, it's fictional in many key details.Fisher's clever Hollywood-dream-factory send-up of a script gives MacLaine and Streep plenty of great lines that pop off the screen like cherry bombs. "Instant gratification takes too long," Suzanne whines. "I know you don't take my dreams seriously, even when I predicted your kidney stones," crows Mom.The film does get rather pat in the second half, especially when both bond by rounding on Suzanne's ancient grandmother (Mary Wickes). Given that Suzanne's the central character, and the one with the drug problem, more effort should have been made on exposing her flaws and weaknesses, rather than making her seem the most normal character in the story. Fisher makes this point herself in her commentary, wishing she was "tougher" on Suzanne."Postcards" is most effective when it focuses on the paradox of how these people perform so well in the limelight and so clumsily outside of it. "We're designed more for public than for private," is how Suzanne puts it at one point. Some comments here complain of too many musical numbers, but of course entertaining is what these women live for. Watching Suzanne watch her mother sing "I'm Still Here", realizing for an instant that a throwaway line in the song is really a cry of pain over Suzanne's way of life, and finally responding, silently but in a nakedly emotional way, communicates all you need to know about how much these two people love each other, beneath their banter and blame.Such subtle touches allow Streep, MacLaine, and Nichols to keep the longer dialogues crisp and funny. You may have a hard time understanding the lives these people lead, but you will enjoy their company.