Product Details

• Actors: Gene Hackman, Ann-Margret, Ellen Burstyn, Amy Madigan, Ally Sheedy
• Directors: Bud Yorkin
• Writers: Colin Welland
• Producers: Bud Yorkin, David Salven, David Yorkin
• Format: NTSC
• Rated: R (Restricted)
• Number of tapes: 1
• Studio: Lions Gate
• VHS Release Date: July 25, 1989
• Run Time: 111 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 3.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• ASIN: 6300262898
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #327,584 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Harry MacKenzie (Gene Hackman, in a rare domestic outing) has just turned 50. The steelworker lives near Seattle and roots for the Seahawks. He and his wife of 30 years, Kate (Ellen Burstyn), have three kids, Jerry (Darrell Larson), Helen (Ally Sheedy), and Sunny (Amy Madigan, Oscar-nominated for her fiery performance). On the surface, life is good. Truth is, Harry’s bored--until be meets barmaid Audrey (Ann-Margret). Written by Colin Welland (Chariots of Fire) and directed by Bud Yorkin (Divorce, American Style), Twice in a Lifetime takes an even-handed look at the consequences of divorce. Harry doesn't just shatter Kate’s world when he takes up with another woman, but his entire family. The film works double-time as an ode to a city that no longer exists, as when Harry and Audrey take in a game at the Kingdome. Featuring a score by Pat Metheny and title track by Paul McCartney. --Kathleen C. Fennessy

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

34 of 34 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Fine Movie, Shoddy Presentation, July 11, 2005

By 

Randy A. Salas "DVD columnist" (Minneapolis, MN) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Twice in a Lifetime (DVD)

"Twice in a Lifetime" is a good drama and worth seeing. Unfortunately, this new DVD is not widescreen as Warner Home Video originally announced, but instead is an especially poorly done pan-and-scan presentation. I do not recommend this disc and am posting this as a public service to those who might be misled by Warner's original announcement or Amazon's "technical details," which are incorrect.

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Finally on DVD - Great!, June 6, 2005

By 

monkuboy (Temple City, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Twice in a Lifetime (DVD)

I saw this at the theater when it was released and also purchased the VHS. This is an excellent movie and it really mystifies me as to what took so long for it to be released on DVD when so much plastic is committed to garbage every week for movies that were better left to deteriorate on film (and were a waste of that film to begin with).

This is one of Gene Hackman's lesser known movies but he did a wonderful job of acting, as a long-time married man who meets a new woman bartender (Ann Margaret) on his birthday and begins an affair with her. The film deals with the complications of Hackman's and Margaret's new found love as well as guilt, along with the anguish it causes his wife (Ellyn Burnstyn) and kids. Perhaps Amy Madigan's acting as Hackman's forever-angry daughter is a bit over the top but I felt all of the acting was superb, as was the script. True, adultery is not an acceptable behavior but it happens and in this movie we see the temptations that led to this happening, as well as the effect is has on everyone in a very realistic and emotional portrayal.

As an aside, I also enjoyed the bits of Pat Metheny's music that was used in the score. This is a "talky" movie and contained too much profanity for my tastes but I also thought it fit with the movie. Now that it is on DVD I am looking forward to its release because this is one of my favorites, and I prefer DVD over VHS. Highly recommended if you are a fan of relationship movies.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars One of Gene Hackman's best movies, June 24, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: Twice in a Lifetime [VHS] (VHS Tape)

This is a tender movie in which you can really feel for each of the characters....the fiftyish man in midlife crisis(Hackman), his devoted wife (Burstyn), the "other woman" (Ann Margaret)with whom he falls in love, and his grown children who are grappling to understand. The story line keeps your interest as the characters grow and deal with their life altering situation. The acting by these three veteran actors is superb. Brian Dennehy is also excellent in his supporting role as Hackman's best friend. The only negative comment I can make about this movie pertains to the performance of Amy Madigan, who plays Hackman's daughter. Throughout the movie, she loudly over-acts and is so over emotional (about her father's affair) that it distracts from what is otherwise a wonderful movie.