The Morning After

1986

The Morning After

Critics Consensus

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71%

TOMATOMETER

Total Count: 17

39%

Audience Score

User Ratings: 2,643
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Movie Info

In this excellent thriller, crisply directed by Sidney Lumet, Alex Sternbergen (Jane Fonda), a washed-up, alcoholic actress who never quite made it, wakes up one morning in an unfamiliar, luxurious loft apartment, only to find the corpse of a stranger next to her in bed. Alex can remember nothing of the night before. In a panic, she tries to flee but is unable to get a flight out of Los Angeles, and short of cash, she hitches a ride with Turner Kendall (Jeff Bridges), a disabled former policeman who happens to be fixing his car in the airport parking lot. Alex tries to get rid of Turner and returns to the loft which she cleans in a futile attempt to get rid of her finger prints. Turner continues to take an unappreciated interest in Alex and keeps turning up unexpectedly, much to her annoyance. Finally, desperate and on the run, and never sure that she didn't commit the murder, Alex allows Turner to help her. Alex also confides in and is helped by her ex-husband and friend Joaquin Manero (Raul Julia), the only man she completely trusts. Despite Alex's suspicion of Turner, she slowly falls in love with him. The movie quickly moves to a surprising conclusion, and creates a good deal of suspense, particularly when Alex is confronted with a corpse that just won't stay put. The highlight of the film is the performance by Jane Fonda reminiscent of her magnificent performance as Bree Daniels in Klute. The Morning After never rises to the quality of Klute, but Fonda's performance was strong enough to earn her an Oscar nomination. ~ Linda Rasmussen, Rovi

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Cast

Jane Fonda
as Alex Sternbergen
Jeff Bridges
as Turner Kendall
Raul Julia
as Joaquin Manero
Diane Salinger
as Isabel Harding
Richard Foronjy
as Sgt. Greenbaum
Geoffrey Scott
as Bobby Korshack
James 'Gypsy' Haake
as Frankie
James Haake and Scamp
as Frankie
Kathleen Wilhoite
as Red
Don Hood
as Hurley
George Howard
as Saxophonist
Gladys Portugese
as Body Builder
Fran Bennett
as Airline Clerk
Michael Flanagan
as Airline Supervisor
Bruce Vilanch
as Bartender
Michael Prince
as Mr. Harding
Frances Bergen
as Mrs. Harding
Jose Santana
as Driver
Bob Minor
as Man
George Fisher
as Cabbie
Rick Rossovich
as Detective
Laurel Lyle
as Secretary
Kathy Bates
as Woman on Mateo Street
Anne Betancourt
as Nurse
Patti Song
as Hairstylist
Betty Lougaris
as Salon Customer
Drew Berman
as Detective
Sam Scarber
as Detective
Michael Zand
as Detective
Corinna Everson
as Miss Olympia
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Critic Reviews for The Morning After

All Critics (17) | Top Critics (1)

View All Critic Reviews (17)

Audience Reviews for The Morning After

  • Jan 03, 2014
    The trio of Fonda, Bridges and Lumet couldn't make this one into a masterpiece..simply an entertaining suspense movie which is a tad disappointing. The plot line perhaps needed to be tightened into something within the realm of the believable.
    John B Super Reviewer
  • Sep 21, 2011
    Even a great filmmaker is not infalible, not when he has to work with a poor screenplay. The tone rambles, never decides if it is a comedy, a soap opera or a thriller. Performances by Jane Fonda, Jeff Bridges and the underused Raul Julia do some good to this ridiculous and predictible mess.
    Pierluigi P Super Reviewer
  • Oct 23, 2010
    A smart and suspenseful neo-noir well-directed by Sidney Lumet, with a sensationally dynamic Oscar-nominated performance by Jane Fonda, as once promising actress named Alex Stembergen, who wakes up with a fierce hangover with no memory of how she ended up in bed next to a murdered man, with a knife in the middle of his chest. Sternbergen is a spiraling down drunkard who is convinced that she had a blackout and stabbed the deadman. Jeff Bridges delivers a terrific performance that is suitably sturdy as Turner Kendall an ex-cop who takes a interest in Stermbergen, and tries to help her unravel this mystery. The late Raul Julia is memorable as Joaquin Manero, Stermbergen's Hollywood hairdresser devoted ex-husband. The developing relationship between Stembergen and Kendall is beautifully played by Fonda and Bridges, who have real chemistry together, and the plot and the storyline instantly draws us in, and continues to keep us hooked until the surprising ending. Entertaining and compelling. Highly Recommended.
    Danny R Super Reviewer
  • Sep 06, 2010
    A good thriller from Lumet, a great director, and it has a great cast too. I really liked this movie.
    Aj V Super Reviewer
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