OK, right off the bat, I'll admit that this movie isn't anywhere near "Citizen Kane" as far as motion picture greatness is concerned. But it's also nowhere near the dog that most reviewers make it out to be. I should know. I've watched "Moment by Moment" 3 times, and it seems like I get a bit more truth out of every viewing. Sure, Lily Tomlin may be more of a comedienne than a dramatic actress (I've got "9 to 5" on DVD, and it's great to see her taking on Dabney Coleman's "sexist, egotistical, lying, hypocritical bigot" of a boss along with Jane Fonda and Dolly Parton). I can also see how John Travolta took a major risk as an actor by playing ultra-sensitive Strip after hitting it big with tough guys Vinnie Barbarino on "Welcome Back, Kotter" and Tony Manero and Danny Zuko in "Saturday Night Fever" and "Grease", respectively. But come on guys, give this film a chance!
Travolta's Strip is basically a drifter, a young runaway trying to survive in southern California. Tomlin, as Trish, is a wealthy, disenchanted older woman who's about to go through a divorce from her cheating husband. Both Trish and Strip have had it with their respective worlds. Strip wants to make something of his life, and Trish is trying to find some excitement in hers amidst a sea of boredom, although she doesn't acknowledge this when Strip first takes notice of her. Throughout the movie, both Strip and Trish learn from each other about life. Trish learns to follow her heart more often, instead of what her high-class "friends" think she should do with her life. Meanwhile, Strip learns that his dreams of getting out of his dead-end life aren't enough, that he needs to do whatever it takes to follow through with them. I believe that the main idea of this movie is that you have to BE YOURSELF, no matter what society thinks of you. And that's probably the main reason I like this movie so much (all right, I have to admit that the younger man/older woman thing was the first thing that turned me onto the film, but the reason I just gave about being yourself rates an extremely close second).
If someone were to watch this movie only once, I can understand them trashing it for (among other things) the weak points in the dialog and Lily Tomlin's seemingly frozen mask of boredom and disillusionment. All I'm asking is that if you're ever lucky enough to see "Moment by Moment" (you can still find "unofficial" videos of this movie on eBay, and I've heard that it sometimes shows on WE or AMC), don't dismiss it as some lame, late '70s chick-flick. I'm a straight guy, thank you very much (who, incidentally, is in a relationship similar to that of Trish and Strip's, but far happier), and I can still see the truth hidden in this under-appreciated film. Hopefully those who read my review (and/or see the movie for themselves) can, too.
Travolta's Strip is basically a drifter, a young runaway trying to survive in southern California. Tomlin, as Trish, is a wealthy, disenchanted older woman who's about to go through a divorce from her cheating husband. Both Trish and Strip have had it with their respective worlds. Strip wants to make something of his life, and Trish is trying to find some excitement in hers amidst a sea of boredom, although she doesn't acknowledge this when Strip first takes notice of her. Throughout the movie, both Strip and Trish learn from each other about life. Trish learns to follow her heart more often, instead of what her high-class "friends" think she should do with her life. Meanwhile, Strip learns that his dreams of getting out of his dead-end life aren't enough, that he needs to do whatever it takes to follow through with them. I believe that the main idea of this movie is that you have to BE YOURSELF, no matter what society thinks of you. And that's probably the main reason I like this movie so much (all right, I have to admit that the younger man/older woman thing was the first thing that turned me onto the film, but the reason I just gave about being yourself rates an extremely close second).
If someone were to watch this movie only once, I can understand them trashing it for (among other things) the weak points in the dialog and Lily Tomlin's seemingly frozen mask of boredom and disillusionment. All I'm asking is that if you're ever lucky enough to see "Moment by Moment" (you can still find "unofficial" videos of this movie on eBay, and I've heard that it sometimes shows on WE or AMC), don't dismiss it as some lame, late '70s chick-flick. I'm a straight guy, thank you very much (who, incidentally, is in a relationship similar to that of Trish and Strip's, but far happier), and I can still see the truth hidden in this under-appreciated film. Hopefully those who read my review (and/or see the movie for themselves) can, too.
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