Watch Once is Not Enough

Once is Not Enough is a 1975 drama film directed by Guy Green based on the novel of the same name written by Jacqueline Susann. The movie follows the life of January Wayne, a beautiful but emotionally damaged New York City girl born to a wealthy family who gets involved in the world of showbiz. January Wayne, played by Deborah Raffin, has a difficult relationship with her father, Mike Wayne, played by Kirk Douglas, a successful Hollywood producer who cares more about his work than his family. Her mother died when she was young, leaving January feeling alone and craving attention. She leaves her father's mansion in New York City to work for a magazine in Los Angeles, where she meets Tom Colt, played by David Janssen, a distinguished and wealthy man.

Tom discovers that January is the daughter of Mike Wayne, making her a wealthy heiress. Tom becomes smitten with January and starts to pursue her romantically. Despite being warned about Tom's reputation, January starts a love affair with him.

During her time in Los Angeles, January gets involved in showbiz and starts making her own connections. She meets Linda Riggs, played by Alexis Smith, a former Hollywood actress who now runs her own talent agency. Linda sees potential in January and offers her a job as her assistant. January quickly rises up the ranks in the agency, making new friends and signing Hollywood stars.

As January navigates the world of showbiz, she also has to deal with her complicated family relationships. Her father is married to his former mistress, Deidre Milford Granger, played by Brenda Vaccaro. Deidre is gorgeous, ambitious, and scheming, and she tries to use January's connections to climb the ladder of success. January also has a half-brother named David Milford, played by George Hamilton, who is trying to carve out his own path in the world of showbiz.

As the movie progresses, January falls deeper in love with Tom, who becomes possessive and jealous. She is also reunited with her childhood friend, Mike Wayne's protégé, David Milford, who has always had a crush on her. Amidst her complicated romantic relationships, January struggles to maintain her independence and identity in the world of showbiz.

The movie is a commentary on the corruptness of the entertainment industry and the power imbalances that exist within it. It shows the struggles that women face when navigating the world of showbiz, including harassment, betrayal, and the pressure to conform to societal standards of beauty and success.

Once is Not Enough features excellent performances by its cast, particularly Deborah Raffin, who convinces viewers of her shining talent and potential. Kirk Douglas delivers a standout performance as the ambitious and shrewd Mike Wayne, while David Janssen and George Hamilton offer nuanced portrayals of men who want to control January's life.

The film is also noteworthy for its portrayal of strong, complex female characters like Linda Riggs and Deidre Milford, who resist the stereotypes of submissive women in romantic dramas. These characters are ambitious and intelligent, and their actions affect the plot far more than the actions of the men.

Overall, Once is Not Enough is a thought-provoking drama that offers a candid look into the world of showbiz and the challenges that women face. It is a must-watch for fans of 1970s cinema and those interested in exploring the intersection of gender, power, and entertainment.

Once is Not Enough is a 1975 drama with a runtime of 2 hours and 1 minute. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 4.6.