Some great roles for woman were written in the end of the last century such
as Thelma And Louise, Steel Magnolias, Fried Green Tomatoes, Moonstruck, and
this one, slightly overlooked in that stellar company. Used People tells a wonderful tale of a widow and grandmother played by Shirley MacLaine to whom
a second love comes right at the funeral of her husband.
As this Jewish family is sitting Shiva for MacLaine's husband, Marcello Mastroianni comes in, unknown and imparts a secret to MacLaine concerning
her late husband.
Mastroianni intrigues her, but MacLaine's most Jewish of families is against
the very idea of her keeping company with him.
There are a host of wonderful roles besides the leads and it's the mark of a great film that these characters are invested with individuality by the writers.
Some great players bring said individuality to those parts.
MacLaine's two daughters, Marcia Gay Harden and Kathy Bates are as different as can be. Harden is constantly acting out with different Hollywood legends
portrayed. She's a real drama queen, years later still in mourning for a child she lost. She has a great scene with her other young son Michael Branton who also
been acting out some dangerous things.
Kathy Bates was the less favored daughter with a weight problem who lets MacLaine have it. Bates is sick of the indulgence given Hardenand who could blame her.
Two aged actresses from earlier days, Sylvia Sidney and Jessica Tandy have
some wonderful scenes as a pair of old Jewish yentas. They quarrel but there's
a bond there.
An old tune that Frank Sinatra recorded with Tommy Dorsey, The Sky Fell Down provides a great musical theme for November/November romance.
Used People is a great ensemble film and should get a lot more attention than it has gotten.
