Postcards From the Edge

1990, Comedy/Drama, 1h 41m

32 Reviews 5,000+ Ratings

What to know

critics consensus

Uniting a pair of powerhouse talents with a smart, sharply written script, Postcards from the Edge makes compelling drama out of reality-inspired trauma. Read critic reviews

You might also like

One True Thing
The Fabulous Baker Boys
The Prince of Tides
Running on Empty
Ulee's Gold

Where to watch

Rent/buy from $2.99 Rent/buy from $2.99 Rent/buy from $3.99

Rate And Review

User image

Verified

  • User image

    Super Reviewer

    Rate this movie

    Oof, that was Rotten.

    Meh, it passed the time.

    It’s good – I’d recommend it.

    Awesome!

    So Fresh: Absolute Must See!

    What did you think of the movie? (optional)

  • You're almost there! Just confirm how you got your ticket.

  • User image

    Super Reviewer

    Step 2 of 2

    How did you buy your ticket?

    Let's get your review verified.

    • Fandango

    • AMCTheatres.com or AMC AppNew

    • Cinemark Coming Soon

      We won’t be able to verify your ticket today, but it’s great to know for the future.

    • Regal Coming Soon

      We won’t be able to verify your ticket today, but it’s great to know for the future.

    • Theater box office or somewhere else

    By opting to have your ticket verified for this movie, you are allowing us to check the email address associated with your Rotten Tomatoes account against an email address associated with a Fandango ticket purchase for the same movie.

    You're almost there! Just confirm how you got your ticket.

  • User image

    Super Reviewer

    Rate this movie

    Oof, that was Rotten.

    Meh, it passed the time.

    It’s good – I’d recommend it.

    Awesome!

    So Fresh: Absolute Must See!

    What did you think of the movie? (optional)

  • How did you buy your ticket?

    • Fandango

    • AMCTheatres.com or AMC AppNew

    • Cinemark Coming Soon

      We won’t be able to verify your ticket today, but it’s great to know for the future.

    • Regal Coming Soon

      We won’t be able to verify your ticket today, but it’s great to know for the future.

    • Theater box office or somewhere else

    By opting to have your ticket verified for this movie, you are allowing us to check the email address associated with your Rotten Tomatoes account against an email address associated with a Fandango ticket purchase for the same movie.

Postcards From the Edge Photos

View All Photos (21)

Movie Info

Hollywood actress Suzanne Vale is on a slippery slope as a recovering addict. On exit from rehab, it is recommended she stay with her mother, who has become a somewhat champion drinker herself. Suzanne therefore struggles to maintain her sobriety and her sanity in the company of Doris.
  • Rating:
    R
  • Genre:
    Comedy, Drama
  • Original Language:
    English
  • Director:
    Mike Nichols
  • Producer:
    Mike Nichols, John Calley
  • Writer:
    Carrie Fisher
  • Release Date (Theaters):
     original
  • Release Date (Streaming):
  • Box Office (Gross USA):
    $36.9M
  • Runtime:
  • Distributor:
    Columbia Pictures
  • Sound Mix:
    Surround, Stereo

Cast & Crew

Meryl Streep
Suzanne Vale
Shirley MacLaine
Doris Mann
Dennis Quaid
Jack Faulkner
Gene Hackman
Lowell Kolchek
Richard Dreyfuss
Doctor Frankenthal
Rob Reiner
Joe Pierce
Mary Wickes
Grandma
Conrad Bain
Grandpa
Annette Bening
Evelyn Ames
Simon Callow
Simon Asquith
Gary Morton
Marty Wiener
Dana Ivey
Wardrobe Mistress
Mike Nichols
Director
Mike Nichols
Producer
John Calley
Producer
Carrie Fisher
Writer
Show all Cast & Crew

Critic Reviews for Postcards From the Edge

All Critics (32) | Top Critics (10) | Fresh (27) | Rotten (5)
Full Review… Jonathan Rosenbaum Chicago Reader Full Review… Richard Corliss TIME Magazine Full Review… Variety Staff Variety Full Review… Derek Adams Time Out Full Review… Nell Minow Movie Mom Full Review… Vincent Canby New York Times Full Review… Otis Stuart OutWeek Full Review… Kathi Maio Sojourner Full Review… Renee Schonfeld Common Sense Media Full Review… Emanuel Levy EmanuelLevy.Com Full Review… Film4 Staff Film4 Full Review… Boo Allen Denton Record-Chronicle
View All Critic Reviews (32)

Audience Reviews for Postcards From the Edge

  • May 04, 2021
    Does anyone nail mother-daughter dysfunction better than Shirley MacLaine? Good luck countering that argument. 'Postcards' is focused more on social coping and the job strain of addiction recovery rather than the habitual trappings of substance abuse, which works as its strength and gels effortlessly with Nichols's penchant for finding the humor in his protagonists' suffering. Plus, I'll always have a soft spot for stories about films within a film. There's also an awareness that wasn't present in Nichols's previous Heartburn that frees this particular adaptation of a celebrity penning their own life story. The second Suzanne utters "I don't want life to imitate art. I want life to be…art"? Sue me, but I was instantly sold. On top of being an acting showcase for all involved, 'Postcards' is vibrant, cognizant, rich, dramatized cinema I can get behind.
    Marisol M Super Reviewer
  • Jun 11, 2013
    Meryl Streep is amazing in this. The script is wonderful and the mother/daughter rivalry is expertly realized by Streep and Shirley MacLaine.
    Bathsheba M Super Reviewer
  • Feb 16, 2012
    A fairly funny and poignant drama inspired by Carrie Fisher's novel of the same title. There is excellent chemistry here which isn't surprising considering that Mike Nichols is the director.
    John B Super Reviewer
  • Jul 13, 2010
    A cute little comedy with obvious influences from the inspiring book written by none other than Carrie Fisher. Her biting wit and Hollywood insight made for a highly original film. At the front of the cast is the amazing Meryl Streep who portrays another junkie looking for a reason to feel. The great Shirley Maclaine plays a loving caricature of Debbie Reynolds, the main drama in a film that badly needed it. It lacks a balance, but is entertaining.
    Spencer S Super Reviewer
See all Audience reviews

Movie & TV guides