The Last Best Year
| The Last Best Year | |
|---|---|
 The Last Best Year | |
| Directed by | John Erman |
| Written by | David W. Rintels |
| Produced by | John Erman Josette Perrotta David W. Rintels Victoria Riskin |
| Starring | Mary Tyler Moore Bernadette Peters |
| Cinematography | Frank Tidy |
| Edited by | Paul LaMastra |
| Music by | John Morris |
Release date | November 4, 1990 (ABC television) |
Running time | 120 minutes |
| Language | English |
The Last Best Year is a drama television movie, concerning a lonely woman who discovers that she has a terminal illness. This made-for-television movie co-starred Mary Tyler Moore and Bernadette Peters, two actresses known for playing comedic roles. It aired on ABC.
Plot summary
Jane (Bernadette Peters) visits a doctor (Brian Bedford) after becoming ill during a business trip. She is told that she has a terminal illness and is referred to a psychologist, Wendy Haller (Mary Tyler Moore), to help her in dealing with the emotional aspects of the illness. Jane, although successful at business, leads a solitary life except for occasional times she spends with her married lover, Jerry, who leaves her during her crisis. Reluctant to open herself emotionally at first, she soon warms to Wendy. Jane makes a last trip to visit her beloved Aunt Lizzie (Carmen Mathews).
Jane finally faces the secret she has been hiding for years, that she gave her infant son up for adoption. As she makes peace with guilt from her troubled past and comes to terms with her fate she gains loving support from Aunt Lizzie, Wendy, and Amy and Peter, her co-workers. She returns to the faith she had turned from and makes contact with her grown son. Wendy, also, has had a troubled past and, through her relationship with Jane, resolves her own issues, especially with her mother Anne.
Cast
- Mary Tyler Moore as Wendy Haller
- Bernadette Peters as Jane Murray
- Brian Bedford as Dr. Castle
- Carmen Mathews as Aunt Lizzie
- Kate Reid as Sister Mary Rose
- Kenneth Welsh as Jerry
- Erika Alexander as Amy
- Dorothy McGuire as Anne
- Lawrence Dane as John Dennis
- Michael Hogan as Billy Haller
- Albert Schultz as Peter Hamm
- Bathsheba Garnett as Mrs. Morton
- Michael J. Reynolds as Wisnovsky
Production
The story in The Last Best Year is based on the experiences of the executive producer, Victoria Riskin, wife of the writer David Rintels. [1] Peters previously worked with the director John Erman on her feature film debut, Ace Eli and Rodger of the Skies, and the television movie, David. Erman suggested Peters for the film.[2]
Riskin said of Moore and Peters "Some people may think Mary Tyler Moore and Bernadette Peters...this movie is going to be a laugh a minute. But they're brilliant dramatic actresses."[2]
Responses
John J. O'Connor wrote in his New York Times review: "What takes place is that rare occurrence in films of any sort-a female bonding...Ms. Moore and Ms. Peters give marvelously restrained and touching performances." [3]
References
- ^ Riskin biography victoriariskin.betaflow.com, retrieved March 19, 2010
- ^ a b Cerone, Daniel."The Peters Principle"Los Angeles Times, November 4, 1990
- ^ O'Connor, John."The New Woman Finds Her Place on The Small Screen"New York Times, November 4, 1990