Mrs Parker and the Vicious Circle

Alan Rudolph's film follows legendary writer and humorist Dorothy Parker from her time as a drama critic for Vanity Fair during World War I to her death in 1967. In the early days Parker turned from her drunk drug-addicted, shell-shocked husband to the company of other critics and writers, particularly at their daily meetings at the Algonquin hotel. The participants at these sophisticated lunch time gatherings provided Parker with the ideal stimulus for her sharp, biting wit, and they became known as the Vicious Circle. Some of the more famous members of the circle include Life columnist and critic Robert Benchley (Campbell Scott); Charles McArthur (Matthew Broderick) writer of the play The Front Page; Harold Ross who founded the New Yorker magazine, and George S. Kaufman who wrote A Night At The Opera.

Dorothy Parker had many affairs of the heart, including with womaniser McArthur, but this film suggests that Benchley was the true love of her life, despite remaining "just good friends". Parker went on to work in Hollywood in the 40s with her next husband Alan Campbell on A Star Is Born, but despite success In literary fields and a growing reputation, her life remained unstable and unfulfilling.

As with all biopics Rudolph's film has too much to say and not enough time in which to say it: the screenplay is heaving with information but has of course missed vital bits out, including Parker's political views (she was at one time pronounced a Communist). But the film is punctuated by excellent poem readings straight-to-camera, and has at its heart an amazing performance by the gorgeous, heavenly Jennifer Jason Leigh. An entirely plausible, wonderfully played film filled with wit and charm and if that makes you happy, kid, you'll be the first it ever did.

Review by Stephen Cox
Taken from EUFS Programme 1995-96