Holly and Sandy meet one night at an aerobics class. They strike up an immediate friendship, even though they are total opposites. Holly (Mary Tyler Moore) is a shy woman with the perfect family. Although she loves caring for her husband, Chip (Ted Danson), and her children, she sometimes thinks back to the career she left behind. Sandy (Christine Lahti) is a strong-willed television reporter. She has been carrying on an affair with a married man, but understands that he'd never leave his wife. Her career has always been her top priority, but she desperately wishes to have a child before it's too late.
Sandy soon realizes that the man she's been having an affair with is actually Holly's husband. When a tragedy that affects both women occurs, Sandy debates whether or not to tell her new friend the truth. Could their friendship survive such a betrayal?
A true sign of a good drama is its ability to pull you into the story. You feel like the characters are people you know, and their emotions are your emotions. "Just Between Friends" does just this. As you watch, you feel sympathy for Holly because of her husband's infidelity. You also feel bad for Sandy, because of her inner conflict. She is truly in love, but she knows that she should not continue her affair.
The character of Chip brings a sense of irony to the film. Chip is drawn to another woman because of her independence. Perhaps if Holly possessed such a quality, he never would have strayed. He doesn't realize that Holly was indeed independent until she chose family over career.
The cast does an excellent job of making the script come to life (but would you expect anything less from Mary Tyler Moore?). Sam Waterston steals the show as Chip's friend, Harry, who has always loved Holly from afar. Though it didn't receive much press when it was released, "Just Between Friends" deserves to be remembered as a great film.
Stars: Mary Tyler Moore, Christine Lahti, Ted Danson
Director: Allan Burns
MPAA Rating: PG-13
Why You'll Know It's From the 80's:
1. Harry tells Holly about his Betamax video camera.
2. The people in the exercise class scenes do "old fashioned"
aerobics. Not step aerobics, not stairmaster, none of that crap.Dog Appeal: Holly's family has a dog named Stanley
Daisy's Rating:
