T.R. Baskin (1971)

A movie that not only functions as a solid scarefest but a razor-sharp satire.

It’s fine. It's literally the definition of a fine movie. You’ve seen it before, you know every beat and outcome before the characters even do. Only question is how much escapism you’re looking for.

It really made me laugh, but for some moments I was tearing up because I could relate so much.

Actress is magnificent and exudes a hypnotic screen presence in this affecting drama.

Chicago, early 1970's, looking gloomy and dangerous, and unfriendly. Young T.R. arrives in the Windy City hoping to find fame, fortune, or at least a decent and interesting life,far from her hometown of rural Ohio. Candice Bergen turns in a performance that you just have to love; her character T.R. has such an offbeat, yet witty sense of humor, and she is a real go-getter, a modern, free-thinking 70's girl who wants to make it on her own. The movie has an interesting structure, in that it begins midway through her adventure. By the time she is hooked up with Peter Boyle (another terrific performance) in the hotel room, she has already been in Chicago for a while and has experienced a lot. We learn of her experiences as she relates them to her "blind date," always with a sharp sense of sarcastic humor. The question the viewer has is, who is this mysterious guy Larry who arranged this odd meeting of strangers, and why would a gorgeous young woman like Bergen agree to meet an unknown man in his hotel room? Well we find out through flashbacks, of T.R. getting her office job, and becoming acquainted with the city, moving into a cheap tenement apartment, and finally, meeting a man, (James Caan) who sweeps her off her feet,and exposes just how naive and innocent T.R. really is... "T.R. Baskin" is truly a superb time capsule; it completely encompasses the mores and attitudes of the 1970's. Filled with location shooting around Chicago, always a fascinating city, like New York during that decade. T.R. makes us think about life, about the mistakes we make when we are young, and in the end, she brings a tear to our eyes as we see her inevitably lose the innocent quality that made her move to the big city in the first place. I cannot recommend this movie highly enough. It's filled with colorful, funny characters and much insight. Sadly this is a forgotten title, never released for purchase on dvd or even VHS as far as I can tell. The copy I managed to track down is poor, and murky and the picture even jumps for about 10 minutes somewhere in the middle. Strangely this washed out old copy actually adds to the film's already nostalgic feel. I hope "T.R. Baskin" gets rediscovered, as it truly is a lost gem with an amazing cast.

When will Paramount Studios release the movie T.R.Baskin (1971) to DVD? I suggest that every fan of Candice Bergan/Peter Boyle/James Caan write to the studio. They are located at 5555 Melrose Avenue, Hollywood, California 90038. The website Cinemanow offers a download. I found that it is of poor quality. A DVD would be so much better. Let Paramount know. I had the great fortune to be cast as an Extra in a crowd scene at Chicago's O'Hare airport. I remember seeing Ms. Bergan in her makeup chair. I will never forget how much fun I had that day even though I prop I was carrying was stolen. I even got to see a screening at a theater downtown months later. You can also write to television stations to air it.

I saw this on a television set at home, so many years ago I forget WHY it made me cry. Have not been able to contact Miss Bergen to ask her about it. Of course, Murphy Brown was "required" watching. and I followed as long as I was in the Country. Without answers to my questions, I can hardly pad this into 15 lines. Autobiographically, I can tell stories similar to T.R.'s but I don't think they would draw a tear from anyone but me. As a matter of fact, more likely to make one die laughing. Career attempts in Europe and New York. Mother footing all the bills and never giving up on me, bless her. So after all this time, and deaths of both my long-suffering parents, I am becoming a writer, not capitalized yet. So after I am reminded of that superb performance by the Bergen, and after I have heard from herself, perhaps I can hold the proverbial candle to her sensitive portrayal of a girl seeking a career. Buona Fortuna a tutti !, Elettra

I caught this movie one Sunday afternoon on TV at least 15 years ago and never forgot it (and have not been able to find it). I have searched for it on e-bay, amazon, here -- and can't find it. Candace Bergen gives an amazing performance as a young woman starting her life alone. I would love to see it again ... as I recall, the scenes are very 70s and may look dated, but the story is timeless.As I recall, it had shades of "Looking for Mr. Goodbar," but not as dark. I would say the movie has a sardonic feeling. Candace Bergen's character, T.R. Baskin, is smart, cynical and searching for her place in the world.