Watch Rich and Famous

Rich and Famous from 1981 is a comedy-drama film that tells the story of two women's lifelong friendship. Directed by George Cukor, the movie stars Jacqueline Bisset and Candice Bergen as two classmates who become lifelong friends while pursuing their dream of becoming successful writers. The movie starts with the two women, Liz and Merry, who graduated from college together with dreams of becoming successful writers. However, it's only Merry who achieves immediate success on the literary scene, while Liz struggles to get even one book published. Despite the vast difference in their successes, the two are committed to one another, supporting each other through the ups and downs of life.

As they age, and their careers take different trajectories, their once-close relationship begins to falter. Merry becomes increasingly self-absorbed, and her writing career takes a nosedive, while Liz finally gets a book published and becomes a respected author. Jealousy and envy begin to rear their ugly head, and soon their rivalries become a source of tension and a threat to the longevity of their friendship.

The film shows the price that people are willing to pay to find fame and success, and it explores the complexities of friendship in a world where success means everything. The plot follows the two women over several decades, revealing the ups and downs of their respective careers, as well as the struggles they each face in their personal lives.

Jacqueline Bisset stars as Liz Hamilton, a woman whose life is transformed when she becomes a successful author. She is charismatic, but also vulnerable, and it's this combination that makes her a compelling character. Bisset delivers a nuanced performance, conveying the complexity of the character with ease. Meanwhile, Candice Bergen is equally excellent as Merry Noel Blake, a woman for whom fame and success come at a price. Bergen captures the self-absorption and bitterness of the character, bringing depth to a role that could easily have been one-dimensional.

David Selby also stars as Douglas 'Doug' Blake, Merry's husband and a successful publisher. He delivers a strong performance, bringing gravitas and depth to the character. His role is significant enough to add spice to the story but not so much as to detract from the main focus of the film, which is the relationship between the two women.

The cinematography by Don Peterman is stunning. He expertly captures the glamour and excesses of the Hollywood lifestyle, and he uses light and color to convey the characters' emotions. The movie's sets and costumes are equally impressive, immersing viewers in the glitz and glamour of the 1980s.

Overall, Rich and Famous from 1981 is an engaging drama that explores the complexities of friendship through a captivating story. The film showcases excellent performances from the lead actors, evocative cinematography, and an engaging storyline. Although it's a little melodramatic at times, it's also an entertaining and thought-provoking film that holds up well after almost forty years.

Rich and Famous is a 1981 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 57 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.8 and a MetaScore of 52.