Chapter Two (film)
| Chapter Two | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Robert Moore |
| Produced by | Ray Stark |
| Written by | Neil Simon |
| Based on |
Chapter Two 1977 play by Neil Simon |
| Starring |
James Caan Marsha Mason Valerie Harper Joseph Bologna |
| Music by | Shinichi Yamazaki |
| Cinematography | David M. Walsh |
| Edited by | Michael A. Stevenson |
Production company |
Rastar Films |
| Distributed by | Columbia Pictures |
Release dates |
|
Running time | 124 min. |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Box office | $30,000,000[1] |
Chapter Two is a 1979 Metrocolor romantic comedy drama film directed by Robert Moore and produced by Ray Stark. It is based on Neil Simon's 1977 Broadway play of the same name.
Summary
A semi-autobiographical play by director-dramatist Neil Simon of himself, the film conveys the coping of a recently widowed writer George Schneider (played by James Caan) who is introduced by his press agent brother Leo to actress Jennie Malone who is also recommended by her best friend Faye. Jennie's marriage to a football player has dissolved after six years. Both are uncertain of themselves as ready to start dating and developing a new romance when the breakup is so soon and he has recurring memories of his deceased wife. Jennie Malone is portrayed by Simon's then-wife Marsha Mason, the inspiration for the character.[2] Caan said he made the film to earn some money while preparing for the 1980 film Hide in Plain Sight.[3]
Cast
- James Caan as George Schneider
- Marsha Mason as Jennie MacLaine
- Joseph Bologna as Leo Schneider
- Valerie Harper as Faye Medwick
- Alan Fudge as Lee Michaels
- Judy Farrell as Gwen Michaels
- Debra Mooney as Marilyn
- Isabel Cooley as Customs Officer
- Imogene Bliss as Elderly Lady in Bookstore
- Barry Michlin as Maitre d'
- Ray Young as Gary
- Greg Zadikov as Waiter
- Paul Singh as Waiter (as Dr. Paul Singh)
- Sumant as Waiter
- Cheryl Bianchi as Electric Girl
Reaction
Box office performance
The film was a financial hit. It grossed $30 million at the domestic box office,[1] making it the 27th highest grossing film of 1979.
Critical reception
Chapter Two, however, was not a critical success. It received mixed reviews from critics. Roger Ebert of the Chicago Sun-Times awarded the film 2 stars out of 4, writing "Chapter Two is called a comedy, maybe because that's what we expect from Neil Simon. It's not, although it has that comic subplot. It's a middlebrow, painfully earnest, overwritten exercise in pop sociology. I'm not exactly happy describing Neil Simon's semi-real-life in those terms, but then those are the terms in which he's chosen to present it. My notion is that Simon would have been wiser to imagine himself writing about another couple, and writing for another actress than his own wife; that way maybe he wouldn't have felt it so necessary to let both sides have the last word".[4]
The film currently holds a 40% "Rotten" rating, with an average rating of 5/10, on the review aggregate website Rotten Tomatoes.[5]
Awards
| Year | Award/Category | Recipient | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Academy Awards | |||
| 1980 | Best Actress in a Leading Role | Marsha Mason | Nominated |
| Golden Globes | |||
| 1980 | Best Motion Picture Actress - Musical/Comedy | Marsha Mason | Nominated |
| 1980 | Best Supporting Actress | Valerie Harper | Nominated |
In popular culture
A portion of the 1977 play and the 1979 film was featured in the plot of "The Letter", a Season 3 episode of the American sitcom Seinfeld.[6] In the episode, Jerry's artistic ex-girlfriend sends him a thoughtful letter trying to get him back. Later seeing a broadcast of Chapter Two on TV, Jerry realizes she copied the letter from the film word-for-word. In a deleted scene included with the DVD release of the episode, Jerry retaliates by breaking up with her using dialogue copied word-for-word from Plaza Suite, another Neil Simon film.
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Chapter Two, Box Office Information". The Numbers. Retrieved June 6, 2013.
- ↑ Passafiume, Andrea. Chapter Two Turner Classic Movies, accessed April 22, 2014.
- ↑ "MOVIES: FILM DIRECTING: FOR CAAN, IT'S NOT A FESTIVAL", Mann, Roderick. Los Angeles Times (1923-Current File) [Los Angeles, Calif] 02 Nov 1980: q31.
- ↑ "Chapter Two Movie Review, Roger Ebert". Chicago Sun-Times. January 1, 1980. Retrieved April 22, 2014.
- ↑ "Chapter Two, Movie Reviews". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved April 22, 2014.
- ↑ Movie Connections for Seinfeld, The Letter. IMDb. Retrieved April 22, 2014.