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Brighton Beach Memoirs (1986)
Director: Gene Saks
Writer: Neil Simon
Cast: Jonathan Silverman, Blythe Danner, Stacey Glick, Lisa Waltz,
Genre: Period Piece Comedy
Based on Neil Simon's life as a boy growing up in a poor Jewish family in Brighton Beach, New York. Originally wrote as a play by Simon and is 1 of 3 films in a series that chronicles his life. The other two are Biloxi Blues and Broadway Bound. The film is set during the 1930s depression era which gives it a nostalgic feel and the period piece sets look authentic which adds to the nostalgia.
Eugene (Jonathan Silverman), a 15 year old teenager struggles with hardships, puberty and conflicts that arise from his many family members. The crowded household is shared by his widowed aunt (Judith Ivey) and her daughter, Eugene's cousin Nora (Lisa Waltz)...Eugene has a big crush on Nora.
One of the strong points of the film is how Eugene has a different relationship with each of his family members. The scenes with his older brother were reminiscent of a coming of age film. The way his mom (Blythe Danner) bossed him around and how he rebelled against it, was both funny and very well done. At the same time we get a more serious relationship between the mother and her widowed sister (Judith Ivey). Neil Simon knows how to write people who are 3 dimensional and believable.
I thought this film was funny in a realistic way and at the same time serious too. It dealt with real problems that families and teens face with a straight forward telling. It never crossed over into cheesy territory. All of the family members are well fleshed out, memorable characters. The dialogue sparkles with wit and wry humor done with a very humanistic and believable style.
This was a treat and I wish more films were made like this.
.
Brighton Beach Memoirs (1986)
Director: Gene Saks
Writer: Neil Simon
Cast: Jonathan Silverman, Blythe Danner, Stacey Glick, Lisa Waltz,
Genre: Period Piece Comedy
Based on Neil Simon's life as a boy growing up in a poor Jewish family in Brighton Beach, New York. Originally wrote as a play by Simon and is 1 of 3 films in a series that chronicles his life. The other two are Biloxi Blues and Broadway Bound. The film is set during the 1930s depression era which gives it a nostalgic feel and the period piece sets look authentic which adds to the nostalgia.
Eugene (Jonathan Silverman), a 15 year old teenager struggles with hardships, puberty and conflicts that arise from his many family members. The crowded household is shared by his widowed aunt (Judith Ivey) and her daughter, Eugene's cousin Nora (Lisa Waltz)...Eugene has a big crush on Nora.
Blyther Danner plays the strong willed bossy but caring mother. Her widowed sister however lacks confidences and is played by Judith Ivey.
One of the strong points of the film is how Eugene has a different relationship with each of his family members. The scenes with his older brother were reminiscent of a coming of age film. The way his mom (Blythe Danner) bossed him around and how he rebelled against it, was both funny and very well done. At the same time we get a more serious relationship between the mother and her widowed sister (Judith Ivey). Neil Simon knows how to write people who are 3 dimensional and believable.
I thought this film was funny in a realistic way and at the same time serious too. It dealt with real problems that families and teens face with a straight forward telling. It never crossed over into cheesy territory. All of the family members are well fleshed out, memorable characters. The dialogue sparkles with wit and wry humor done with a very humanistic and believable style.
This was a treat and I wish more films were made like this.
.