Product Details

• Actors: Mary Tyler Moore, Ted Danson, Christine Lahti, Julie Payne, Beverly Sanders
• Directors: Allan Burns
• Writers: Allan Burns
• Producers: Allan Burns, Edward Teets
• Format: Closed-captioned, Color, Original recording reissued, NTSC
• Rated: PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested)
• Number of tapes: 1
• Studio: MGM (Video & DVD)
• VHS Release Date: June 6, 2000
• Run Time: 110 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• ASIN: 0792845706
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #282,400 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Sudsy but ultimately satisfying....., March 6, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: Just Between Friends (DVD)

Sudsy soap opera is saved by the touching performances of the leads, Mary Tyler Moore and Christine Lahti. Produced my Moore's production company MTM, this modern tale reminiscent of best of 1930s and 1940 melodrama actually transcends the gimmicky premise. Implausible as most soaps of this genre, JUST BETWEEN FRIENDS has a feminist edge not often seen in classic Hollywood. These kinds of "dramedies" rely less on writing skill and more on acting chops and manipulative tear dropping. While the performances are top notch, unforunately the sob elements are less effective. Moore, coming off of her ORDINARY PEOPLE Oscar nomination 5 years before plays the role with conviction...rather like her Mary Richards persona thrown into this maudlin predicament. Her foil is wise cracking, but ultimately lonely Christine Lahti, who was fresh from her nomination for SWING SHIFT. Writer/Director Allan Burns (The Mary Tyler Moore Show) attempts to infuse the proceedings with a humor that works some of the time. The tear jerking elements simply did not work for this reviewer. Too little time was spent leading up to the denoument that it comes across more as an afterthought than an entirely effective plot device. Another weight on the proceedings is the awkward and sometimes obtrusive score by Patrick Williams. In 2004 it comes across as terribly dated and a little obnoxious. Several dramatic moments are eclipsed by this overbearing score. Whats odd about JUST BETWEEN FRIENDS is its ability to rise above its faults and become an entertaining little film. Perhaps one could call this a "guilty pleasure". Its not a classic by any means, but at least an interesting time capsule of 1980s feminism and family.

MGM has presented this film in both Widescreen and Full Screen formats on opposite sides of the DVD. MGM presents these with beautiful transfers. Film grain is not a big problem and the color correction comes off a little orange with the skin tones...but overall a nice presentation. The soundtrack comes off beautifully, with dialogue easy to understand and no noticeable distortion. For a mono mix, this actually has some range and depth which was a surprise. The only supplement is the original theatrical trailer...which is actually a delight to watch. For once a trailer that doesn't give everything away!

For the price, this is a great deal. MGM has built quite a reputation for releasing their catalog to DVD. JUST BETWEEN FRIENDS, a minor 1980s film has been given a careful treatment by MGM.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Oddly Entertaining, May 28, 2006

By 

lewis jackman (Sleepy Lagoon) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Just Between Friends (DVD)

Imagine an Eighties update on a Forties "women's picture". . . but with Laura Petrie or Mary Richards as the long-suffering heroine. . .and Sam (Ted Danson) Malone as the cheating spouse!

Mary Tyler Moore is spunkily stalwart as the wronged wife but wise-cracking Christine Lahti steals the picture as the other woman. (Guess Valerie Harper was busy.) Plays like a jazzercise-era remake of the old Bette Davis/Mary Astor tear-jerker "The Great Lie." Movie never makes up its mind whether it's a comedy or a drama but is oddly entertaining nevertheless.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A classic great movie, December 1, 2008

By 

Beth Boettcher - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Just Between Friends (DVD)

I haven't seen this movie in years and like it just as much now as I did then. It is a really good movie and I think it is a classic. Mary Tyler Moore and Christine Lahti are great together and I have always liked Sam Waterston.