Common Sense Media Review
By Renee Schonfeld
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Mature dramedy has drug/alcohol abuse, cursing.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 16+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Postcards from the Edge
What's the Story?
Film actress Suzanne Vale (Meryl Streep in an Oscar-nominated performance) is in free-fall as POSTCARDS FROM THE EDGE opens. Her dependence on cocaine hasn't gone unnoticed on the set of her latest movie; she's become a liability. And worse, her work isn't good. When Suzanne overdoses on cocaine and prescription drugs, she's sent to rehab and from there, in order to be insurable as an actress, is forced to live with her mother, Doris Mann (Shirley MacLaine), an iconic musical star. What seems to have always been a difficult relationship between a dynamic, self-involved mom and a resentful, insecure daughter, intensifies. Complicating things even more is Doris's not-so-well-hidden dependence on alcohol. Both eminently likeable and talented but disastrously self-destructive, these two forces of nature must find a way to share the stage, forgive each other, and survive in the challenging world they've created.
Is It Any Good?
Wonderful performances, a sizzling script, and a rare but successful blend of drama with comedy and music make this a singularly enjoyable film for grownup audiences. Director Mike Nichols, working with a star-studded cast -- even small roles are inhabited by the likes of Gene Hackman, Richard Dreyfuss, a very young Oliver Platt, Rob Reiner, and Annette Bening in her breakout role -- brings complex, engaging characters to life. It wouldn't be fair to say that Nichols makes drug addiction fun, but Postcards from the Edge isn't about painting a heavy or tragic picture of substance abuse. There's poignancy in Suzanne Vale's struggle to stop whatever is the drug of the moment, but the heart of the story is the relationship Suzanne has with her mom. Nichols leavens his film with humor, larger-than-life Hollywood characters, and a touch of romance. Carrie Fisher wrote the script based on her book. How much of it is based on her singular alliance with her real-life mom, Debbie Reynolds, and how much emerges from her imagination has long been a topic of conversation. Given the subject matter, some sexual content, and profanity, the movie is only appropriate for teen audiences.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how the title, Portraits from the Edge, relates to Suzanne's life and Doris's life. Did either or both of these women finally step back from "The Edge?" In what ways?
Think about the ineffectual (i.e., stepfather, grandfather) or exploitative (i.e., the womanizer, the agent) men in this film. Which man in Suzanne's life was trustworthy, caring, and a father figure to her? How did his presence change her view of the world and of herself?
Because the two leading characters are performers, how did the filmmakers use music to help tell the story? What did the musical numbers reveal about Suzanne, Doris, and about their relationship?
Movie Details
- In theaters : September 14, 1990
- On DVD or streaming : April 30, 2001
- Cast : Meryl Streep , Shirley MacLaine , Dennis Quaid
- Director : Mike Nichols
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Columbia Pictures
- Genre : Drama
- Topics : Arts
- Character Strengths : Perseverance
- Run time : 101 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Last updated : October 1, 2025
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