Mrs. Parker and the Vicious Circle (1995)

Synopsis: Robert Altman produced this evocative portrait of renowned writer and wit Dorothy Parker that chronicles her boozy adventures both in Manhattan as a writer for The New Yorker and member of the... Robert Altman produced this evocative portrait of renowned writer and wit Dorothy Parker that chronicles her boozy adventures both in Manhattan as a writer for The New Yorker and member of the celebrated Algonquin roundtable and later in Hollywood as a screenwriter. Jennifer Jason Leigh delivers a stunning performance as the drunken, depressed, but undeniably clever Mrs. Parker, and she's ably assisted by a stellar supporting cast, including Gwyneth Paltrow, Peter Gallagher, Stephen Baldwin, Wallace Shawn, Matthew Broderick, Lili Taylor, Jennifer Beals, and Campbell Scott as her main partner in crime, the equally besotted wit Robert Benchley. Director Alan Rudolph captures the brilliance as well as the tragedy of these literary celebrities. The result is an unsparingly honest portrait of alcoholism and ego, and a loving celebration of Parker's gutsy battle against sexual discrimination and her own romantic failures in pursuit of artistic expression. Featuring sumptuous photography that conveys the decadence of the period and a great score by Mark Isham, the film is a treat for the eyes and ears as well as the mind. [More]

Starring: Jennifer Jason Leigh, Matthew Broderick, Campbell Scott, Peter Gallagher

Starring: Jennifer Jason Leigh, Matthew Broderick, Campbell Scott, Peter Gallagher, Stephen Baldwin, Andrew McCarthy, Gwyneth Paltrow, Lili Taylor, Jennifer Beals

Director: Alan Rudolph

Director: Alan Rudolph
Producer: Robert Altman

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