Review: Up Close & Personal (1996)

Director: Jon Avnet | 124 minutes | drama, romance | Actors: Robert Redford, Michelle Pfeiffer, Stockard Channing, Joe Mantegna, Kate Nelligan, Glen Plummer, James Rebhorn, Scott Bryce, Raymond Cruz, Dedee Pfeiffer, Miguel Sandoval, Noble Willingham, James Karen, Brian Markinson, Michael Laskin, Robert Keith Watson , Lily Nicksay, Joanna Sanchez, Daniel Zacapa, Heidi Swedberg, Yareli Arizmendi, Michael Vilani, Elizabeth Ruscio, Larry John Meyers, Andy Prosky, Bruce Gray, Norman Parker, Lorielle New, Roger Rathburn, Rhonda Overby, Fabian

Not long after Nicole Kidman in the thriller ‘To Die For’, Michelle Pfeiffer in ‘Up Close & Personal’ is also determined to reach the top of the TV world. This film is based on the true story of Jessica Savitch, who became the first anchorwoman in the history of American national television in the 1970s. Where the initial intention was to make a biographical film about this woman, the writers ultimately opted more for entertainment. That simply scores better at the till, was the thought. That is somewhat unfortunate, because Savitch’s life story – she was already killed in a car accident at the age of 36 – involves much more than what the viewer is now presented with. But that’s no more than a side note. ‘Up Close &

Pfeiffer, as Sally, is very endearing in her attempts to prove herself as a news reporter, without having any experience whatsoever. She ended up where she wanted to be thanks to a CV that was lied to each other; at the TV news. But then?! In the beginning, this sometimes leads to comical situations, such as when she is accidentally announced as ‘Tally’ by her colleague during her first live broadcast and stares into the camera with her teeth full of teeth. From that moment on, not only her name change is a fact, but the comic scenes also become more sparse. Fortunately! The relationship between Tally and her mentor at the TV station Warren (Redford) – which is carefully built up by director Jon Avnet – shifts more and more from the business to the personal field from that moment on. And then all brakes are released at Pfeiffer and Redford. The chemistry between the two is unprecedented, which makes for romance with a capital R. Like in the scene in which both are in the editing room and do not (yet) wish to give in to their longing for each other. Without too much text, both actors know how to put so much tension in that scene that you as a viewer almost get excited. In any case, Redford is very credible in his role as a charming mentor who has experienced everything in the TV world. But given his experience, appearance and charisma, that is of course also entrusted to him. What follows is a compelling love drama where the handkerchiefs can be pulled out. Like in the scene where both are in the editing room and do not (yet) wish to give in to their longing for each other. Without too much text, both actors know how to put so much tension in that scene that you as a viewer almost get excited. In any case, Redford is very credible in his role as a charming mentor who has experienced everything in the TV world. But given his experience, appearance and charisma, that is of course also entrusted to him. What follows is a compelling love drama where the handkerchiefs can be pulled out. Like in the scene where both are in the editing room and do not (yet) wish to give in to their longing for each other. Without too much text, both actors know how to put so much tension in that scene that you as a viewer almost get excited. In any case, Redford is very credible in his role as a charming mentor who has experienced everything in the TV world. But given his experience, appearance and charisma, that is of course also entrusted to him. What follows is a compelling love drama where the handkerchiefs can be pulled out. In any case, Redford is very credible in his role as a charming mentor who has experienced everything in the TV world. But given his experience, appearance and charisma, that is of course also entrusted to him. What follows is a compelling love drama where the handkerchiefs can be pulled out. In any case, Redford is very credible in his role as a charming mentor who has experienced everything in the TV world. But given his experience, appearance and charisma, that is of course also entrusted to him. What follows is a compelling love drama where the handkerchiefs can be pulled out.

The music also contributes to this, because it is beautiful when the emotions run high. Dianne Warren deservedly received a Grammy Award and Oscar nomination for her song ‘Because you loved me’ (performed by Celine Dion). At the same time, the film also offers a critical view of the TV world, in which you can be just as easily made as you can be dismissed. Especially as a woman you have a limited expiration date because of your appearance, as fellow bitch Marcia (a great supporting actor of Stockard Channing!) Makes clear to Tally when she indicates that she is lying about her age. The question also arises whether a TV station should deliver the news as it is, or should it tell it as the public would like to hear it? These are points that director Avnet discusses in the background. Where it in ‘Up Close & Personal ‘mainly revolves around is the love between two people that knows no boundaries. This will even feel so real to the viewer that the surprising ending will leave almost everyone with a lump in the throat!