A restructuring of Barbara Gordon's memoir about a successful female TV producer who is hooked on Valium--and who tries to kick cold turkey, with devastating results. A subplot regarding cancer patient Geraldine Page is expanded for the film (and seemingly takes over, even contributing the title in the film's dialogue!), but this didn't bother me as Jill Clayburgh's lead portrayal carries the movie and gives it strength and sarcastic bite. There are all sorts of conflicted emotions running rampant through the material, and the direction (while not smooth) does manage to sort it all out for the viewer. This was the first time I had ever seen Dianne Wiest in anything and she really impressed me as Clayburgh's therapist (however, Wiest uses all the acting tricks we've seen her do since then, and frankly they're starting to become old hat). The film has some editing problems and looks a little muddy, but I found Clayburgh's struggle intense and real, and her performance brave. *** out of ****
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moonspinner5527 April 2001
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Hadean14 July 1999This movie was written by Barbara Gordon and is the story of her Valium addiction, withdrawal and recovery.
This movie is really accurate in regards to the pharmacology of her addiction and its really excellent in the portrayal of the therapy process as well.
I think that it is one of those great movies that is *true*. The movie is about real life and it is fantastic. It has integrity as a film. The cast is exceptional, and I dig Dianne Wiest in this movie especially. I also really enjoyed Geraldine Page's character... she reminded me of Maude from Harold & Maude, another favourite movie of mine... -
brefane9 January 2009There's really nothing to recommend this dreary, and dreary looking film based on Barbara Gordon's account of her battle with Valium. Too bad this film wasn't around during Gordon's struggle because it has the same sedative effect as Valium. It's a Lifetime Channel-style film that was released by Paramount pictures in 1982 during the Nancy Reagan's "just say no" period, and it deservedly sank without a trace. Clayburgh is a trouper, but she is made to look ridiculous in the over-the-top scenes of her character's drug withdrawal. The film is remarkably barren, lacks genuine conflict, characterization, ambiance, or interest, and it never gets inside the head of its main character. Aside from Clayburgh, the most notable thing about the film is Nicol Williamson's performance as Clayburgh's boy friend; he creates one of the most repellent characters I've ever encountered on stage or screen; surely, not intentionally. The film is directed by the numbers, and ironically this film is less about Valium, than a veritable Valium itself. It's best recommended as a safe, non-habit forming sleep aid.
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This movie is fairly unremarkable, but the real highlight is to see Jon Liebling's name on the credits. Anyone that has followed Jon's stellar film career knows that Liebling adds an immense amount of creativity and uniqueness to every project he is a part of. Liebling was only 21 at the time he worked on this picture, but his enormous talent - talent that transcends his young age - resonates throughout the film. Anyone who enjoyed Jon Liebling's stunning work in and on films such as, "Endangered Species" (who could forget his riveting, yet understated performance as "the steward) should run to rent - if not BUY - this DVD if for no other reason than to bask in the glow that emanates from the screen as his credit rolls. As fans worldwide can attest, Jon Liebling is an unrivaled force in cinema - though he left the industry years ago, choosing instead to live the quiet life in idyllic Southern Vermont. Even still, his work - as well as his formidable contributions to the industry - will be celebrated (and, imitated) for years to come.
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jsmith98-112 November 2022Yes Valium is addictive, but there's addiction and dependence. I'm not sure if Barbara Gordon was a victim of malpractice or addiction. I've had GAD for years. Started when I lost my mother at age 35. Right out the gate, my Primary Care Dr.put me on a SSRI. After 7 different ones, I ended up in the ER. The film is based on the memoir of Barbara Gordon, a successful Documentary filmmaker who is living with her alcoholic boyfriend who's Therapist who puts her on Valium. I'm allergic to pretty much every SSRI med for anxiety! My Psychiatrist put me on Valium in 2007. My mother took Valium. In the film, Barbara Gordon seems to need more and more of Valium to get through her day. Either she or her Therapist keeps upping her dosage. She finally has a nervous breakdown. At this point she's several pills a day. She's trying to finish a Documentary that is never addresses how she's related to the women she's doing this for, but it's implied she has a connection to her, just isn't explained. The star of the movie is Valium as there's holes in the plot! I take my Valium like my mother did. Some days I take 2 10mg tablets, others I don't take it, and then there's days that I need 3 to 4 tablets. Generally when something serious or bad happens, like the day my husband got a melanoma diagnosis. The sedative effect is low now as my tolerance has built up, but the anxiolytic effect of the med still works fine. It's the only alternative that has worked! You can't just quit this medication cold turkey or you have rebound anxiety and/or seizures. SSRIs are not the "miracle drugs" without addiction they claim and millions of people are on them. The ending of this movie is exaggerated as her Therapist wants to put her on Thorazine. She decides to go cold turkey and fights with her alcohol boyfriend who keeps her captive in their apartment. Her withdrawal symptoms are overwhelming. She eventually is heard by friends who call the apartment and hear her screaming for help. They rescue her and she enters a treatment center. It's like the film is trying to keep people who need these meds from getting a Rx for them. I've never read her memoir and what I know about Barbara Gordon is from this movie. The movie over exaggerates the dangers of a drug that has been demonized as abusive and addictive. Drs. Created the same problem w/pain meds and made them hard to get. Not everyone who uses pain medication uses it everyday. Movies like this makes it look like everyone who takes med's stigmatized as addictive, have lumped the abusers into the same group of people who take as prescribed or as needed. It's like smoking, you have to want to quit in order to be able to quit!