Only When I Laugh | 
| Director: Glenn Jordan
Actors: Marsha Mason, Kristy Mcnichol, James Coco, Joan Hackett, David Dukes
Studio: Sony Pictures
List Price: $19.98
Buy Used: $13.97
You Save: $6.01 (30%)
Used (5) Collectible (5) from $13.97
Rating:  11 reviews
Sales Rank: 302
Format: Color, Ntsc
Language: English (Original Language)
Rating: R (Restricted)
Media: VHS Tape
Number Of Items: 1
Running Time: 121 Minutes
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.4
Dimensions (in): 7.3 x 4.2 x 1.1
ISBN: 630232579X
UPC: 043396600799
EAN: 9786302325799
ASIN: 630232579X
Theatrical Release Date: September 23, 1981
Release Date: June 24, 1994
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Shipping: Expedited shipping available
Shipping: International shipping available
Condition: GREAT ITEM SHIPPED WITH TRACKING INFO SHIPPED FROM OREGON USA Used - Good
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| Customer Reviews: Read 6 more reviews...
 The Reality of Recovery November 13, 2002
C. MacNeil (Fort Wayne, IN USA)
13 out of 14 found this review helpful
Another classic Neil Simon-Marsha Mason collaboration (when they were married), "Only When I Laugh" is aptly-titled: as Mason's character explains, she laughs only when her heart is pierced. In her case here, that happens a lot and is masterfully crafted by Simon's bittersweet perspective of his lead character's life, and Mason's flawless delivery. Her character is a recovering alcoholic, and it is her rocky road to recovery that is the benchmark of this film. On the surface, it's much too easy to assess the film as a story about alcoholism. Actually, it's about recovery. And, as most recovering addicts do (God bless 'em), Mason's character finds that life even without chemicals isn't always a bed of roses. As Mason's daughter, Kristy McNichol is the poster child for Al-Anon, and she is awesome as the child of a recovering addict. Sadly, the two strongest supporting performers aren't with us anymore, but Joan Hackett and James Coca are truly magnificent as the friends who carry Mason through the harshness of recovery and, all too commonly, her "slip." It's a timeless message about recovery, and it's a jewel made all the more remarkable by Simon's obvious knowledge about his subject.
 Every Time , I Laugh. July 9, 2002
F. Gentile (Lake Worth, Florida, United States)
10 out of 10 found this review helpful
This is a terrific movie. Marsha Mason is wonderfully funny and touching as "Georgia", the recently re-habbed actress. Written by her then husband, Neil Simon, and taken from his original stage play, "The Gingerbread Lady", it is full of witty New York theater repartee, as only Simon could write, incomprabley delivered by Marsha Mason. It starts with "Georgia's" somewhat premature (fresh out of rehab) re-immersion into the world of theater via the starring role in a somewhat biographical play, written by her former lover , with whom she had the turbulent relationship that preceded her breakdown. Through the emotion of that experience, and her relapse, she is accompanied by her two best friends, also wonderfully played by James Coco and Joan Hackett. Their 3 way friendship would be called co-dependent nowadays, then...it was just being a supportive good friend. (I think we were better off without the present definition.) You will want these kooky, dear, flawed people as your friends. Kristy McNichol projects just the right quality as the on-the-ball off-spring. Georgias attempts to re-establish a relationship and trust with her previously somewhat ignored daughter are very funny and very touching, with McNichol often ending up as the parental figure. This is just a wonderful, under-rated little gem of a movie, a sweet story in which Marsha Mason gives one of the best performances I've seen. I consider her a terrific actress, and it's a shame that, for whatever reason, she is not creating more wonderful roles. She takes a good story and makes it great. A lovely, funny film about friendship, human frailties, perseverence, and the resilience of the human spirit. LOVE it !
Can't Wait for DVD November 28, 2002
Anomaly (United States)
6 out of 7 found this review helpful
I hope they come out with a DVD of this classic soon. This is a very special movie. If they don't convert it to digital soon, I'm going to burn a VHS into DVD. They don't even have this movie in stock on Amazon anymore. Kristy McNichol rocks in this movie. Marsha Mason did an award winning performance. If this doesn't get converted to DVD soon, I'm going to complain to the movie company that holds rights to the movie.
MARSHA MASON'S GREATEST ROLE YET! April 4, 2005
Jon (New York City)
6 out of 7 found this review helpful
If ever there was such a thing and I controlled the ballots for the Best Actress Oscar in 1981, I would have given the golden boy to Marsha Mason for her amazing performance as Georgia Hines in the always entertaining ONLY WHEN I LAUGH. Once again, Ms. Mason outdoes herself in this "dramedy" about sordid lives, real addictions and mother-daughter dilemmas handled with craft and skill by Neil Simon. Not only does she deliver the goods here, Mason is supported by some real pros including James Coco and Joan Hackett as friends who adore Georgia but have their own hang-ups & dramas to deal with. I feel Kristy McNichol is a bit miscast in this film as Georgia's confused teenage daughter, but does her best with the material at hand. ONLY WHEN I LAUGH is pure entertainment filled with some biting dialogue and dramatic touches bringing it to a nice simmer. At the height of her career, Ms. Mason's stunning performance as a formerly overweight, down-on-her-luck stage actress with an unquenchable thirst proves she's go what it takes to make you laugh, cry and relate to her character on many levels. As far as acting goes, this is as good as it gets!! PLEASE NOTE THAT ALONG WITH THE OTHER REVIEWERS, WE NEED THIS MOVIE ON DVD. MY VHS TAPE HAS SEEN ITS BETTER DAYS. AMAZON--PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE MAKE SOME NOISE WITH COLUMBIA PICTURES TO TRANSFER THIS FABULOUS FILM TO DVD. ITS TIME HAS COME!!!
A Real New York movie! September 25, 2000
Dr. L (New York City, NY United States)
5 out of 5 found this review helpful
Great performances from the entire cast,especially the late Joan Hackett as a gal trying desperately to hold on to her youth! Shows NYC at its best! A film to watch again and again! Kristy Mcnichols could have been a BIG STAR!
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