IT’S MY TURN

(director: Claudia Weill; screenwriter: Eleanor Bergstein; cinematographer: Bill Butler; editors: Byron Brandt/Marjorie Fowler/James Coblenz; music: Patrick Williams; cast: Jill Clayburgh (Kate Gunzinger), Michael Douglas (Ben Lewin), Charles Grodin (Homer), Beverly Garland (Emma), Steven Hill (Jacob), Daniel Stern (Cooperman), Teresa Baxter (Maryanne), John Gabriel (Hunter); Runtime: 91; MPAA Rating: R; producer: Martin Elfland; Sony Pictures Entertainment; 1980)

“At its best when achieving screwball comedy.”

Reviewed by Dennis Schwartz

A dramedy about the pitfalls of love directed by Claudia Weill(“Once A Hero”/”Girlfriends”/”Face of a Stranger”). It’s at its best when achieving screwball comedy. It’s written by Eleanor Bergstein. The performances are fine, but the story, dialogue and camerawork are a bit strained.

Kate Gunzinger (Jill Clayburgh) is a stressed-out math whiz and professor from Chicago. Her live-in boyfriend, Homer (Charles Grodin), is a humorous building developer. On a trip to NYC for her father’s wedding reception and for a job interview, Kate falls for Ben Lewin (Michael Douglas) at the reception. Ben happens to be the son of her father’s new wife (Beverly Garland). The hunk is a recently retired professional ballplayer, who has some trouble adjusting to civilian life. The story of how the couple make a go of it has as much depth as your usual soap opera. I might add there’s no discernible romantic chemistry between the two.

It tries to go women’s lib, but is too uninteresting to get anywhere down that rabbit hole. But its mild comedy makes it both watchable and disposable entertainment.

REVIEWED ON 7/17/2015 GRADE: C+