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This Can't Be Love

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"This Can't Be Love" is one of Katharine Hepburn's last television movies. The legendary actress had two reasons for making this 1994 romantic comedy. The first is that the director was Anthony Harvey, who directed Hepburn in the film that won her the third of her record four Best Actress Oscars, "The Lion in Winter." The second would be that her leading man was Anthony Quinn, another larger than life figure who could go toe to toe with Hepburn and still have his head on his shoulders. Certainly the script by Duane Poole would not have engender enough interest for her to accept the role.

Hepburn plains Marion Bennett, a retired actress who, like Hepburn herself, is considered a force of nature and a living legend. Having led a lonely life carefully guarding her privacy, her rigid routine is thrown into turmoil when she receives a blast from the past in the form of Michael Raymond (Quinn). It seems he is planning on publishing his memoirs and the one thing that would make this a best seller would be the story of how he and Marion were once married. Needless to say, Marion does not want that story or Michael's book to ever see the light of day and the battle royale is on between the two stars.

Originally broadcast on CBS on March 13, 1994, the veteran stars take Jason Bateman and Jamie Gertz alone for the ride as Marion's chauffer and Michael's granddaughter, which makes for a romantic sub-plot involving the youngsters as well. But what fun there is to be had here consists of Hepburn and Quinn fighting like cats and dogs trying unsuccessfully to hide their feelings for each other. Even at the age of 87 Hepburn's comic timing is still pretty impressive, while Quinn blusters along as only Anthony Quinn can do. This television movie was Hepburn's last leading role, followed by memorable bits in the theatrical film "Love Affair" and her final television film "One Christmas," both of which are superior to this effort.

If you are a Katharine Hepburn fan you will love this movie. She plays a old faded movie star who hires a young man to work for her. And one of her ex-husbands is writing a tell all book about their marriage which she does not want written.