Product Details

• Actors: Meryl Streep, Jack Nicholson, Jeff Daniels, Maureen Stapleton, Stockard Channing
• Directors: Mike Nichols
• Writers: Nora Ephron
• Producers: Mike Nichols, Joel Tuber, Robert Greenhut
• Format: Anamorphic, Closed-captioned, Color, Dolby, Subtitled, Widescreen, NTSC
• Language: English (Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono), English (Dolby Digital 5.1)
• Subtitles: English
• Dubbed: English
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Aspect Ratio: 1.77:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Rated: R (Restricted)
• Studio: Paramount
• DVD Release Date: July 6, 2004
• Run Time: 108 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (76 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B000228EGS
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #27,590 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)
• Learn more about "Heart Burn" on IMDb

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

You'd have thought that Nora Ephron and Mike Nichols had remade Heaven's Gate: that was the critical reaction to this film version of Ephron's semiautobiographical novel about her own marital woes. The fact that they had Jack Nicholson and Meryl Streep playing thinly disguised versions of Carl Bernstein and Ephron probably made them bigger, fatter targets. In fact, the film was a genuinely funny and painful look at the effects of marital infidelity and divorce, in the story of two married writers and what happens when the pregnant wife finds out the husband has been fooling around behind her back. The film is more dramatic and less quip-filled than Ephron's novel, which made the Ephron character a food writer and was peppered with recipes. Nicholson stepped into his role at the last minute, when Nichols fired Mandy Patinkin for being too intense and not funny enough. --Marshall Fine

Product Description

Nora Ephron's novel, based on her stormy marriage to reporter Carl Bernstein, is brought to the screen by director Mike Nichols. Meryl Streep and Jack Nicholson star as the ill-fated lovers, struggling with new responsibilities (home, family) and old problems (infidelity). Jeff Daniels, Stockard Channing, Catherine O'Hara, Milos Forman also star; look for Kevin Spacey (his film debut) as a subway hood. 109 min. Widescreen (Enhanced); Soundtracks: English Dolby Digital 5.1, Dolby Digital mono; Subtitles: English. NOTE: This Title is Out Of Print; Limit One Per Customer.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

37 of 42 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Much Better Than I Expected October 2, 2004

By H. F. Corbin TOP 500 REVIEWERVINE™ VOICE

Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase

I avoided this movie when it was released because I couldn't imagine that a film based on the marital breakup of Nora Ephron and Carl Bernstein would interest me. Although I am an admirer of both these folks for their talents as writers, I had always agreed with Richard Burton when he said, when asked if he would be writing about his marriage and breakup with Elizabeth Taylor, that even though love might be dead, that it wasn't for sale. Be that as it may, this movie is certainly worth seeing. Although the plot is a little thin, there are some very funny moments. (Whether some of the events actually happened in the Bernstein/Ephron saga doesn't matter.) Any film directed by Mike Nichols, starring Meryl Streep and Jack Nicholson, with cinematography by Nestor Amendros is well worth seeing.

Both Ms. Ephron and the viewer have the last laugh.

24 of 27 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Really, my all-time favorite. March 31, 2005

By B. Sheets

Format:DVD

My husbands laughs when I say a movie is my favorite(I have many favorites), but this one really is. I also love to read and what sets this adaptation apart is the way the two complement eachother,truly brilliant. The movie adds elements that the book didn't dwell on and the book covers all the details that movies just can't. Some movies can touch your heart in such a way that they leave you a bit raw. For me, this is one of those movies. No, it may not be a cinematic event for all, but for those who have loved with their whole heart and have been (or even risked) being hurt, you will find a good laugh and a few tears here. Only Nora Ephron herself could have wrote a screenplay that complemented her novel so well, and thankfully Mike Nichols brought it to life in such a way. Meryl Streep really is at her best here and the whole cast is excellent. I really do love this movie, it always amazes me that it is so underrated. Give it a try.

18 of 21 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars So Thrash! October 15, 2003

By A Customer

Format:VHS Tape

This movie is one of the most phenomenal pitures I have ever seen! It is highly ignored and often looked over, which I have never understood. My confusion is due mostly in part to genius performances by both Jack Nicholson and Meryl Streep. The writing and acting are superb.
Heartburn must come out on DVD.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Streep Movie December 4, 2002

By P. Rubano

Format:VHS Tape|Amazon Verified Purchase

I absolutely love this movie. I agree with the other reviewer - WHY is this not on DVD? I am waiting for it to come out on dvd so I can purchase it. This is one movie you don't want to miss. It is funny and sad at the same time.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars best streep July 24, 2002

By Karen M. Downes

Format:VHS Tape

not a fan of streep or nicholson. they are not actors in this film they are really living their lives. you believe they are in a documentary. i only have one criticism - why isnt it on DVD?

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Streep and Nicholson are great in this film December 5, 2001

By Ingrid Carney

Format:VHS Tape

I never read the book, so my point of view is purely on the film. And I loved it long ago and still love it. There's an intesity Streep delivers that pains you to observe her character in this situation. The last 30 minutes is so good... and to add Carly Simon's Itsy Bitsy Spider rendition of Coming Around Again just did it for me. Best metaphore. Fabulous ending.

9 of 11 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars WELL DONE BUT UNINVOLVING June 1, 2005

By Michael Butts HALL OF FAMEVINE™ VOICE

Format:DVD

I will always sing the praises of Meryl Streep. This wonderfully gifted actress is capable of taking any role and infusing it with such passion and dedication that she can make a dull movie like HEARTBURN entertaining, just to bask in the glow of her performance. Based on Nora Ephron's novel and her marriage to Carl Bernstein, HEARTBURN doesn't really "do" much of anything. Streep marries philandering Jack Nicholson (in one of his more bland performances), has a couple of kids, and finds out he's cheating on her (duh?). Ephron's script cripples its stars by making Streep a little too whiny and self-pitying and Nicholson a little too dispassionate and predictable. One of the true crimes of this movie is Oscar's neglect to praise the movie's showpiece song COMIN AROUND AGAIN. Carly Simon's song poignantly evokes the loss but hope in any kind of relationship; it's pairing with the old children's ITSY BITSY SPIDER is creative genius. The spider gets washed down the spout but always goes back up to try again; in COMIN AROUND AGAIN, the song's emphasis on "I believe in love" mirrors the tenacity of the spider. What a shame Simon wasn't awarded for this feat. You will like HEARTBURN if you are fans of Streep and Nicholson, but it's not one of their best efforts.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars TOUCHING July 25, 2001

By A Customer

Format:VHS Tape

Haven't seen the film in quite some time. I simply remember the ending as being one of the more touching films I've ever seen. Coupled with Carly Simon's background music, the last five minutes of heartburn alone make this film worth seeing. If you have any compassion at all, you'll understand...