Edie & Pen (1996)

It's complicated... I really like the directing, acting and writing but, there are issues with the way it's shot that I just can't deny. As much as I love the storytelling and the fantastic performance but, there are also certain scenes that didn't need to exist.

This movie was so-so. It had it's moments, but wasn't the greatest.

To all those who have watched it: I hope you enjoyed it as much as I do.

It’s not bad or unwatchable but despite the amplitude of the spectacle, the end result is underwhelming.

I lived in Reno for 18 years and was there when this movie was filmed. I had no idea it was being filmed and believe me Reno is the Biggest Little City in the World, and if a movie is being filmed there it's almost impossible to not know. Yet, I had no idea this was going on. The concept of the story is reasonable, but the concept is all that is delivered. All the fluff story propped up around the concept just is not good. Scott Glen seems to be just about the level of a leering drunk and how Pen "falls" for him is just not apparent. Jennifer Tilly is lovely and carries her part very well, but Scott Glen and Stockard Channing's characters require more script quality before they could be held responsible for the out come. (Bad writing can not be overcome by the best of them.) As I watched I saw them drive from the Hilton to the Airport through downtown and rolled my eyes at the director's ploy to present Reno's bright lights as window dressing. If you don't know Reno, all is OK and the director's trick is well received.

I loved this film. It was funny, clever and touching. Great cast! Jennifer Tilly was sweet and innocent even in her low cut dresses. There were so many cameos it was fun to try and pick everybody out.There's a great shot at the end where everybody re-appears to see Randy Travis perform. Pretty much of a chick flick but great just the same.

I watched this late one night when nothing was on. I chose it for Jennifer Tilly. She's cool. I like Scott Glenn too. Ever since Silverado I've liked him. And he was excellent in The Silence of the Lambs. This is a good story about two women who quickly became friends. Shared stories and secrets about men (read Helen's review for more info).I was glad I watched it. Hadn't seen Stockard Channing much lately. She was in The First Wive's Club just for a bit. I should have seen the ending coming where Edie's new boyfriend is Pen's old... oh nevermind, go watch it.7.5 out of 10

Edie and Pen are two women who came to Reno to divorce their husbands. Young and cheerful Edie had spent only two weeks with a spouse who left her five years ago; more mature and high-strung Penelope (a.k.a. Pen) had been married for more than nine years. Five minutes of formalities - and both women are free. Free to do what? Edie has "plan B" - her fiancee is waiting, tomorrow she's going to marry him in Acapulco. And Pen... she has nothing but freedom now - freedom to get drunk in bars, take pills and wake up in bed with local dude who seems even more miserable than herself. Yet life is beautiful and full of surprises - both women will appreciate the slyness of fate in final sequences. "Edie and Pen" is "The First Wives' Club" from the feminine point of view. Unlike "Club", this movie boasts neither flashy wittisisms courtesy of Paul Rudnick nor gorgeous female movie stars in their early fifties who look their late twenties. Yet the pic's amusing, sad, funny, sometimes tragic, sometimes comedic (Pen's first "big night" with a man turns out to be such a global disaster!) and irresistibly charming. "Edie and Pen" is a very rare exhibit of moviemaking where laughter is intertwined with tears as romantic hopes are constantly crashed by life's absurdity. Because everything in this world is deceptive. The man you once married for pity turns out to be cold liar. Good-natured guys who invited you for a ride, can leave you alone on desert freeway at the night. A man who looks like weathered cowboy turns out to be pharmacist. And the girl who wants to be your friend... well, enough spoilers! All it should be said here - that pic's scribe Victoria Tennant wrote clever and memorable tale with twisted bittersweet ending. Tennant's script and Matthew Irmas' even direction allow all the actors to show their best. There are many nice cameos in the movie - including Louise Fletcher as judge in court, Beverly D'Angelo as barmaid and Stuart Wilson as Pen's ex-husband who gets asleep every time he hears the word "sex". Jennifer Tilly is very touching as silly, funny and optimistic Edie. Scott Glenn finds a rare opportunity to show his gift for physical and verbal comedy as Harry, ageing seducer who had slept with all women in Reno and now has to pay for his past sins. Glenn's role in "Edie and Pen" shows that his acting range is much wider than his traditional action guy image - his irresponsible and restless Harry stirs up laughter, pity, anger and, at the end, deep sympathy. But, of course, movie belongs to Stockard Channing who proves here that her character in "The First Wives' Club" had an option - not extremely romantic, but... Maybe Pen's new boyfriend will prove to be capable of loving a woman almost as much as he loves his dog.