Directed by Mike Nichols • 1990 • United States
Starring Meryl Streep, Shirley MacLaine, Dennis Quaid

Mike Nichols’s alternately witty and poignant adaptation of Carrie Fisher’s autobiographical novel (inspired by her relationship with her famous mother, Debbie Reynolds) stars Meryl Streep as Suzanne Vale, an actor who struggles to rebuild her life after a stint in rehab. Upon her release, Suzanne is appalled to learn that, due to her spotty track record, the studios will hire her only if she has a “responsible party” to house and supervise her. For Suzanne, this means moving back into the Beverly Hills home of her mother, Doris Mann (Shirley MacLaine), an aging movie star who epitomizes “old Hollywood.” Together, the jaded starlet and silver-screen has-been try to establish a genuine relationship and find the common ground they’ve neglected for years.