Details
Movie Description
Aspiring on-air reporter Tally Atwater (Michelle Pfieffer) may be lovely and ambitious, but she lacks talent. That changes, however, after Warren Justice (Robert Redford), a former White House correspondent turned Miami news director, discovers her. As he carefully guides her career to new heights, Warren and Tally become increasingly attracted to each other, and begin a romance. Soon, a star is born in Tally, who rises through the ranks of network news - while Warren's once-stellar career sinks into the depths of mediocrity. Furthermore, Tally's ascension takes her away from her lover/mentor, when she is forced to relocate to Philadelphia. Tally struggles to stay afloat at her new assignment while dodging jabs from Marcia McGrath (Stockard Channing), a veteran warhorse reporter who jealously protects her position as number one. Finally Warren turns up to inspire Tally and the two partners begin a new career together. However, on a routine assignment in a Philadelphia prison Tally and her cameraman are taken hostage in a prison riot and forced to endure hours of intense violence.Tally bravely covers the groundbreaking story from within the walls of the collapsing prison as Warren looks on from outside, guiding her through her first national broadcast. This incredible act of bravery leads to Tally's eagerily anticipated advancement to a national network newscaster position and the continuation of the dynamic duo's rise to fame.
Synopsis
Aspiring on-air reporter Tally Atwater may be lovely and ambitious, but she lacks talent. That changes, however, after Warren Justice, a former White House correspondent turned Miami news director, discovers her. As he carefully guides her career to new heights, Warren and Tally become increasingly attracted to each other, and begin a romance. Soon, a star is born in Tally, who rises through the ranks of network news -- while Warren's once-stellar career sinks into the depths of mediocrity. Furthermore, Tally's ascension takes her away from her lover/mentor, when she is forced to relocate to Philadelphia.
Can the camera-friendly couple survive these obstacles to their relationship?
Film Notes
Rereleased theatrically in the U.S. on March 1, 1996.
"Up Close and Personal" is very loosely based on Alanna Nash's book "Golden Girl," a biography of late NBC journalist Jessica Savitch, who died in a car crash in 1983. The credits say the film was "suggested by" the book.
Like the film's Tally Atwater, Jessica Savitch worked at a Philadelphia station. In the film, Tally works at the fictional WFIL. Jessica Savitch worked at WKYW.
Former WCAU (Philadelphia) journalist Andrew Glassman briefly appears as a Shouting Questioner.
The movie's prison riot was filmed on location at Holmesburg Prison.
Additional credit: Linda Ellman (technical news consultant).
Includes the hit song "Because You Loved Me," performed by Celine Dion.
Original score album on Hollywood Records.
Rated BBFC 15 by the British Board of Film Classification.
Industry Reviews
"...A crowd-pleasing love story....Redford is a master at using the mainstream to his own subversive ends..."
Rolling Stone - p.103-4 - Peter Travers
"...An alluring throwback to the days when movie-star romance really lighted up the screen..."
New York Times - p.C1 - Janet Maslin
"...Always genuine and alive on screen, and actress who never makes a wrong move, Pfeiffer simply compels belief in her character....This is the kind of rich performance any of the old queens of Hollywood would envy..."
Los Angeles Times - Kenneth Turan (03/01/1996)
Quotations
"He never made the Grenada invasion.... It coincided with an unbreakable periodontal appointment." -- Warren Justice (ROBERT REDFORD), about a fellow journalist.
"She eats the lens." -- Warren Justice (ROBERT REDFORD), after he sees Tally Atwater (MICHELLE PFEIFFER) appear on camera for the first time.
"Every day we have is one more than we deserve." -- Warren Justice (ROBERT REDFORD), to Tally Atwater (MICHELLE PFEIFFER).
"Do you want to be with me?" -- Tally Atwater (MICHELLE PFEIFFER), to Warren Justice (ROBERT REDFORD)
"So much it hurts." -- Warren Justice, in response.
"He's just stupid. He's an anchor." -- Warren Justice (ROBERT REDFORD), about an obnoxious anchorman who has argued with Tally Atwater (MICHELLE PFEIFFER).
"If it bleeds, it leads." -- Warren Justice (ROBERT REDFORD), about his system of picking a lead news story to be aired.
"Is that actually a banana daiquiri?... [bitterly adding] Spring break, Lauderdale." -- Marcia McGrath (STOCKARD CHANNING), to Tally Atwater (MICHELLE PFEIFFER)
"Yesterday's history. News happens today." -- Warren Justice (ROBERT REDFORD)
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