User reviews

Admittedly, I LOVE films about relationships. Perhaps this is because I am a therapist.

This film is not only about finding love, but also about waking up to love that is already there. The characters grow and change in this film and if it seems uneven, this may be why. When the character of Pearl tells us early on that she never did anything she wanted in life, you doubt her ability to break away from her old life, but break away she does, carrying her mother, daughters and grandchildren with her.

This film has a happy ending, but it is not all neatly tucked away in pretty packages. If you like films that say something, try this one on for size. Films of similar flavor are "Wrestling Ernest Hemingway" "Harold and Maude" and "Moonstruck" .

Curiously cast, indifferently-made character-comedy never quite gets off the ground. There are some colorful and funny moments in "Used People", but it doesn't sparkle, it doesn't have any magic, it's just ordinary--and that's a shame. Shirley MacLaine is a widowed Jewish matriarch who falls in love again, much to the distress of her dysfunctional, now-grown children. I don't know about most viewers, but I had trouble accepting Kathy Bates as MacLaine's daughter (likewise Jessica Tandy as MacLaine's mother). It doesn't ring true, and the direction is askew and uneven throughout, yet there's a lot of sterling talent on display here and some of the dialogue is very funny. ** from ****

What a wonderful little movie! Simple story of thwarted lives and new-found love boasts one of the best casts in movie history.

Shirley MacLaine stars as a Jewish widow in 1969 New York who is pursued by a strange Italian, Marcello Mastroianni. He's waited for 23 years for her to be available. She has 2 troubled daughters, Kathy Bates and Marcia Gay Harden. Bates is fat and unhappy; Harden is nuts. Her mother, Jessica Tandy, is afraid of anything new. Also along for the ride are Sylvia Sidney, Joe Pantoliano, Louis Guss, Charles Cioffi, Bob Dishy, Doris Roberts, Helen Hanft, and cute Matthew Branton.

With 1969 New York as a backdrop, anything is possible. The Mets win the World Series.... We land on the moon..... And Mastroianni lands MacLaine! Simple, sweet, and beautifully acted.

The accents waver a tad, but on the whole this film is well written and acted. Tandy and Sidney are splendid as the old women looking for once last thrill--they move to Florida.... Bates and Harden are heartbreaking as the bickering sisters.... MacLaine and Mastroianni are perfection.

A rare chance to see 4 Oscar winners in one film!

An all-star cast delivers wonderful performances in this "overlooked treasure" of a comedy drama. The main story deals with a family's loss of their patriarch, who 20 years earlier was prepared to silently exit his family's life because he saw no hope for his marriage to a dominating wife. At the funeral a man enters the picture, insisting on speaking to the widow. He reveals the secret that during that fateful evening 20 years earlier, he had convinced the now deceased husband to save his marriage by "dancing with his wife". The man watched the couple from the street as they danced in their kitchen. He was hopelessly in love with the image of this woman who had just fallen in love again with her husband. Better late than never, he now percistantly builds a relationship and eventually marries the woman.

There are many subplots to the story. One tells of the boy who feels the "presence" of his dead grandfather, and is certain that he is now invincible. This leads to several incidents where the boy tempts fate by putting his life in danger. His mother, herself dealing with the recent death of a younger child, escapes into a fantasy world by dressing up as Marilyn Monroe or "Mrs. Robinson". There is also a sub-plot discussing how elderly view their prospects of growing more dependent on others and eventually dying.

The film's main setting is NYC 1969. There are several beautiful references to the time, i. e. the Moon landing and the Mets winning the World Series. -- You gotta watch this movie carefully in order not to miss a beat, but you will enjoy it. The final scene drives it home. 5 stars for this one!

but don't expect much else of interest. It's proof of his screen magic that one feels transported by this moment. Mastroianni seems to be freed to improvise in a lovely kitchen scene. It is always a treat to see him in a scene with children.

After seeing this film, still not available on DVD, one wants to say, "How did this movie ever get made?" It is funny, intelligent, sensitive, and perceptive. No exploding cars. No teens making out. No monsters from outer space. Used People is just excellent and thoughtful entertainment of a sort that makes one want to cheer. The script is unusually good, and the acting is outstanding. The leads, Marcello Mastronini and Shirley McLaine, could not have been selected and directed with greater care. Kathy Bates, Jessica Tandy, and Marcia Gay Harden are terrific. The photography is outstanding, and the sets recreate the 1940s and late 1960s very believably. The contrast between Jewish and Italian families in New York is most amusing. Why were no academy awards lavished on this film? Perhaps because it is out of step with contemporary cultural norms and deals essentially with seniors, i.e. people who have lived through much and have a measure of wisdom. Don't miss it.

How bad could a movie be with such a cast? Well, used people is very bad! For one thing the charactors are all charicatures. Not that good actors can't play charactors that are not like themselves, they can. But such acting talent could not overcome stereotypes of New York Jews. Not only are their accents terrible but the dialog is awful too.

The critics did not like this film, and it now rates only a 5.6 for IMDB votes, but have a read of the positive comments below. My wife and I enjoyed this film. There are many meaningful parts, numerous gags and funny situations amidst the painful family life portrayed a la NYC Jewish-Italiano.

The three awards include two Golden Globes, and with Shirley MacLaine, Marcello Mastroianni, Marcia Gay Harden, and Kathy Bates, there is a lot more to this film than either the critics or voting would indicate.

It may not everyone's cup of tea, but well worth a video rental if you can appreciate the messages about family life. A good flick - go ahead and try it.

Someone I was dating brought this video over because it has all the elements of movies I usually enjoy: ethnicity, a 1960's New York setting, family, romance, etc. Well, I didn't like it & I almost fell asleep a few times during it & I wasn't even tired! There was not one character I liked or cared about in this film. It's filled with pretentious cartoon characters. Shirley MacLaine is totally unbelievable as a Jewish woman & her family's dysfunctional overload did not entertain, but drained & annoyed me. What bothered me most about this movie was that it depicted the Italian family totally one way, & the Jewish family totally another, as if all Italian people are like this, & all Jewish people are like that, & no family or person can possess individual traits that aren't a stereotype. The character who dresses up like different famous people was an idiotic, useless, & distracting idea. This was one long, boring snooze-fest.

I can't think of a film that had a better cast, story and acting.

I absolutely loved this film and its performances. It is about a Jewish family in 1969 Queens but as we know, human stories can be about any religion or ethnicity.

Some great roles for woman were written in the end of the last century such as Thelma And Louise, Steel Magnolias, Fried Green Tomatoes, Moonstruck, and this one, slightly overlooked in that stellar company. Used People tells a wonderful tale of a widow and grandmother played by Shirley MacLaine to whom a second love comes right at the funeral of her husband.

As this Jewish family is sitting Shiva for MacLaine's husband, Marcello Mastroianni comes in, unknown and imparts a secret to MacLaine concerning her late husband.

Mastroianni intrigues her, but MacLaine's most Jewish of families is against the very idea of her keeping company with him.

There are a host of wonderful roles besides the leads and it's the mark of a great film that these characters are invested with individuality by the writers. Some great players bring said individuality to those parts.

MacLaine's two daughters, Marcia Gay Harden and Kathy Bates are as different as can be. Harden is constantly acting out with different Hollywood legends portrayed. She's a real drama queen, years later still in mourning for a child she lost. She has a great scene with her other young son Michael Branton who also been acting out some dangerous things.

Kathy Bates was the less favored daughter with a weight problem who lets MacLaine have it. Bates is sick of the indulgence given Hardenand who could blame her.

Two aged actresses from earlier days, Sylvia Sidney and Jessica Tandy have some wonderful scenes as a pair of old Jewish yentas. They quarrel but there's a bond there.

An old tune that Frank Sinatra recorded with Tommy Dorsey, The Sky Fell Down provides a great musical theme for November/November romance.

Used People is a great ensemble film and should get a lot more attention than it has gotten.

If you like the "Moonstruck" kind of film - a many-layered, multi-charactered tumble of the comic and the tragic (with plenty of shouting and raging) romping to a happy ending - you'll love this. It's packed, it's fast-moving, it's funny, it's wonderfully acted - above all, it's human. The elderly, gentle Mastroianni still charms and delights, though it's a pity they challenged his English with so many difficult lines. As a counterbalance, Shirley Maclean is a Fury again (cf. "Steel Magnolias"), to be smoothed and softened only by the friction with daughter Bibby (Kathy Bates) and the dedication of her new suitor. True, the story has its creaks and groans - what better to road to a woman's heart than to save her grandson from certain death? - but exuberance carries the day, we are swept along and are happy to rejoice with the rest of the cast in the Grand Finale. Of course, if you didn't like "Moonstruck" . . .

My review was written in December 1992 after watching the movie in a Manhattan screening room.

A modern, absurdist sensibility informs the soap opera "Used People", making this Fox release an unusual and problematic entry in the crowded holiday sweepstakes. Terrific cast should ensure a hefty audience sample.

Peopled with an eye toward the growing market segment that patronzed its stars' hits "Steel Magnolias", "Driving Miss Daisy" and "Fried Green Tomatoes", the Largo film actually harks back to '50s weepies. With Shirley MacLaine as its spine, the film updates the type of pictures that Shirley Booth (e.g., in "About Miss Leslie") or Jane Wyman routinely used to make.

Actor Todd Graff has scripted an actors' showcase, with heightened performances by the ensemble eschewing the naturalism favored by mainstream fare. Whether viewers will get with the program is another matter; film's trailer emphasizes its comedic elements (and sight gags) while hiding its more ambitious melodramatic segments.

Set in 1969 in the Sunnyside section of Queens, New York, the film limns the colorful family life of a Jewish matriarchy centered around MacLaine, whose husband (Bob Dishy) has just died. Key characters include her protective mom (Jessica Tandy), dysfunctional children (Kathy Bates and Marcia Gay Harden), both of whom have been divorced, and Tandy's best friend (Sylvia Sidney).

Enter Marcello Mastroianni, MacLaine's secret admirer who uses the family's sitting shiva after Dishy's funeral as his occasion to make his platonic affection for her manifest. As shown in flashbacks, he met Dishy in his brother Charles Cioffi's bar 23 years ago and encouraged him to continue his marriage to Shirley rather than leave her.

The family's rejection of Mastroianni and cross-cultural antics between them and Mastroianni's Italian-American clan make for some effective comedy in the middle reels but Graff's work is built around highly dramatic confrontation scenes. In particular, a heart-rending fight between MacLaine and daughter Bates becomes the film's emotional core, marred only by Graff's frequently obvious dialogue.

As demonstrated in her previous picture, "Antonia & Jane", British director Beeban Kidron is fond of injecting caricature and satire, here personified by Harden's character who keeps imitating movie icons like Marilyn Monroe and Anne Bancroft in "The Graduate". Latter motif digresses at length as she and Mastrroianni's brother-in-law (Joe Pantoliano) engage in a Dustin Hoffman/Bancroft sex scene that segues to light bondage.

Least successful element of black humor involves Harden's young son (Mathew Branton), who believes grandpa Dishy's spirit is protecting him. Throughout the film he places himself in suicidal situations only to be saved by luck. Like Graff's other subplots, this yields a heartwarming resolution but is tough sledding along the way.

MacLaine's precise acting is laudatory and balanced by a very sympathetic turn by twinkle-eyed Mastroianni, in his best English-language role so far. The support ensemble is excellent, with Sylvia Sidney, perfectly matched opposite Tandy, stealing most of her scenes adroitly. Harden's work, as it was in "Miller's Crossing", is promising but brittle compared with the ease shown by her vet co-stars.

Both Tandy and Bates have essentially supporting assignments but fans will appreciate their lack of showboating here. David Watkin, who covered similar territory in lensing "Moonstruck", photographs the action unobtrusively while capturing some memorable images, such as Harden visiting a cemetery or MacLaine dancing in her apartment. Rachel Portman's score handily supports the film's serious mood and helps avoid risibility.

,,,and a classic family.

This is simply one of the best films ever. Its one of my most favorites and hopefully it will be released on DVD very soon.

Shirley MacClaine is the queen bee and Marcello Mastriontanni is the bees knees! Fantastic performances all around and a rich story that will leave you remembering the film for years to come. The cultural aspect here is cheerful and insightful and the whole idea of living in NY in the 60s was a blast to me when I first saw this. ( I was 11- so I had an imagination- sue me!)

Highly recommended! 10 stars.

This story is one of family love and tolerance. It reaches into touching depths that goodness and unconditional love are far more important than self and ego. This love story is very refreshing as it is based on mutual appreciation and admiration. Joe is looking for for a lady that is dedicated and Pearl needs his sincere caring. The movie projects characters that can be liked regardless of their faults. Very well cast as each actor seems to bring their characters alive as if they are a real people one might know and want to know. It is a movie that gives a new message each time it is viewed. Watch this movie and enjoy the tenderness.

My feeling is that the film could have been better. As a whole, it is a little irregular, lacking some cohesion. However, the parts it is composed by are very nice, charming, funny, smart. The collection of well-developped and unique characters is excellent, and all actors do a great job. Then, although with reservations, I consider it a good and singular romantic comedy.

If this is not (intentionally or otherwise) a pilot for a TV series, what is it? Episodic, altogether lacking in unity and narrative flow, there is enough caricature and stereotyping to offend the sensibilities of most Jewish- and Italian-Americans. To understand the characters' motivations, a viewer must look beyond what is presented here - i.e., must imagine why these characters act as they do, since the explanations are not forthcoming in the film. If you were left wondering what is going to happen next to Pearl, her daughters, her grandson, her new husband and his family - all of their situations left open-ended - you were more absorbed in this claptrap than most viewers are likely to be.

The performances are not at all bad, but then, one-dimensional characters don't present much of a challenge.

This movie is a shameless, poor man's knockoff of the almost-as-bad and terribly overrated, "Moonstruck" --

MacClaine's performance is unbearable. What was with her attempt at an ethnic New York accent? She wound up sounding like Lanie Kazan with adenoids. Jessica Tandy, by this time, was on life support, and so overused and played out, that you've got to feel sorry for her.

Everybody else in the script, save for Marcello, has a "New Yawk" accent while Tandy sounds like the local Mrs. Vanderbilt. She must have gone to a finishing school in Flatbush.

Marcello is dragged into this mess in a blatant attempt to add legitimacy to the drivel -- poor guy.

Used People must have been green-lighted by a USED Car Salesman. It's a worse-than-Moonstruck (and that ain't easy) atrocity.

Sorry but I calls 'em as I sees 'em.

Damien