The Morning After (1986)

Absolutely Fantastic

This is a coming of age storyline that you've seen in one form or another for decades. It takes a truly unique voice to make yet another one worth watching.

All of these films share one commonality, that being a kind of emotional center that humanizes a cast of monsters.

This is one of the best movies I’ve seen in a very long time. You have to go and see this on the big screen.

I can tell you right now that "thriller' isn't a great word for "The Morning After". Its virtues certainly don't lie in the problematic script and uneven pacing. It's mostly the performances that are involving. The cast here is top-notch; Raul Julia, (I mean c'mon), Jeff Bridges in an unusual role, and Jane Fonda uniquely memorable as a has-been actress. What's fascinating is what Sidney Lumet does with the warehouse district of L.A., transforming it from smoggy industry to pastel-rich arthouse. Now, that's something. 6/10

"The Morning After" is a very strange movie, mainly because it seems like two completely different movies put together. On one hand, it's a murder mystery with a chief suspect on the run attempting to prove her innocence. On the other hand, it's also a study of two completely different people thrust together and developing some sort of relationship. To tell the truth, I would have preferred if the movie had completely stuck to the second kind of story. The murder mystery is standard stuff at best, right down to the climatic man to man struggle. But I did find the relationship between the characters played by Fonda and Bridges to be interesting. Both characters are interestingly written, and the performances by both actors help considerably to sell these fictional characters. While the murder mystery angle of the movie is not that well done - making this portion of the movie tired and familiar - the parts of the movie that focus on the Fonda and Bridges characters interacting are good enough that the movie despite its flaws is worth a look.

One night partying, drinking and having some fun. The next morning she wakes up next to a dead body. "How did I got here? I don't remember anything of what happened last night. How do I get out of this? Did I killed this guy?" That's what crosses the mind of Alex (Jane Fonda), an alcoholic and decadent actress whose major problem with drinking led her to this living nightmare. To help with both her long time problem and this surprising new one comes an ex-cop (Jeff Bridges) who also had a bad history with alcohol.This film noir look-a-like is more of a drama about these two people helping each other overcoming bad things than a movie concerned in solving the murder of the guy who was with Alex. It is more interesting to see how these unusual couple act together than to stay focused on the thrilling aspects of the story and its revelations.Not much of a memorable film, "The Morning After" is a good opportunity to see Sidney Lumet directing Fonda (Oscar nominated for her role here), Bridges, Raul Julia (playing the hairdresser Jackie, husband of Alex) and Kathy Bates (on a minor role). It's a simple project but has great performances from everyone involved. Light and funny scenes between Bridges and Fonda fighting each other over a wrecked car's door or the magic trick pulled by the woman to make people disappear (always fails) are priceless.Positively enjoyable, a good film indeed. 9/10

She is believable and sympathetic as has-been actress Viveca Van Loren (aka Alexandra Sternhagen).Basically waking (after a drunken binge) to find herself next to a murdered man, the story sets a fast pace in the beginning. There is suspense here. Raul Julia as her ex-husband Joaquim Manero, who is on the periphery of her life, seemingly to help.Jeff Bridges as Turner, a disabled detective from nether world (Bakersfield) a bit exaggerated theme here, he is a country bumpkin, he has skewed values, but he does try to help Fonda sort the pieces of her life. The neurotic desperation Fonda brings to the role is palpable. Turner cooks her a dinner for Thanksgiving. It is L.A., she is a failed actress who has seen better days- she still loves her ex-husband who has already moved to greener (and richer) pastures.Raul Julia is a Vidal Sassoon like character. Indeed the final scenes were shot at the former Sassoon boutique, in full 80's glory; peaches and teals, chrome and glitz. The cinematography as mentioned is noteworthy here. Blazing hot sun, disordered lives, senseless murder. We get a feel for the L.A. of the 80's when as Jeff Bridges character remarks that he should have bought more land... could have cashed in on my retirement.He too is a detective for which the world no longer has a use for. There are some touching scenes, such as when Fonda is hiding out at his apartment, her life is a shambles, she is an alcoholic, accused of murder. Or is she being framed? While the ending is a bit formulaic, Fonda's performance outweighs this, and she is well worth watching. 8/10.