Moonlight and Valentino
| Company type | Film |
|---|---|
| Industry | Motion picture |
| Founded | 1995 |
| Founder | David Anspaugh (director), Ellen Simon (writer) |
| Products | Comedy-drama film |
Moonlight and Valentino is a 1995 comedy-drama motion picture directed by David Anspaugh, starring Elizabeth Perkins, Gwyneth Paltrow, Kathleen Turner, Whoopi Goldberg, and Jon Bon Jovi. The script, penned by Ellen Simon, is based on her semi-autobiographical stage play of the same title, which she created following the loss of her spouse.
Plot
Rebecca Lott, a poetry instructor in her thirties, becomes a widow after her husband dies while jogging. Her circle of support includes her sister Lucy Trager, who continues to grapple with their mother's passing from cancer fourteen years earlier; her closest friend Sylvie Morrow, who is stuck in a dissatisfying marriage; and her former stepmother Alberta Russell, a successful Wall Street executive who remains emotionally detached from those outside the financial sector. Romance reenters Rebecca’s life when a charismatic young artist hired to renovate her home shows interest in her, influencing the women around her.
Cast
- Elizabeth Perkins as Rebecca Trager Lott
- Gwyneth Paltrow as Lucy Trager
- Josef Sommer as Thomas Trager
- Jeremy Sisto as Steven
- Kathleen Turner as Alberta Russell
- Whoopi Goldberg as Sylvie Morrow
- Jon Bon Jovi as the painter
Peter Coyote appears uncredited in the role of Paul Morrow.
Background
Ellen Simon, daughter of playwright Neil Simon, drew upon personal loss when crafting this narrative. After her husband died in a jogging accident in 1988, she found solace through the support of close female friends and family. This personal journey inspired her to explore themes of mourning and healing in her work.
Critical reception
The film was met with predominantly unfavorable critiques, holding a 13% rating on Rotten Tomatoes from 15 reviews.
Stephen Holden of The New York Times characterized it as "a genteel, buttoned-up soap opera" featuring contrived and awkward scenarios. Roger Ebert described it as "very sincere, very heartfelt and very bad," pointing out its sluggish tempo and lack of effective dramatic portrayal.
Emanuel Levy from Variety commended its insightful observations and the strong performances delivered by the principal actresses but remarked on the screenplay’s theatrical roots and occasionally overly clinical execution. Peter Stack of the San Francisco Chronicle labeled it "fitful" and "filled with little but empty gestures," yet acknowledged commendable acting under David Anspaugh’s direction.
Desson Howe at The Washington Post found it "mildly diverting" but ultimately "comically mediocre." Dennis King criticized it as "too precious" and self-indulgent. Chris Hicks from Deseret News took issue with its contrived characterizations and apparent writer’s devices.
Marjorie Baumgarten of The Austin Chronicle observed that the movie explores numerous emotional avenues without reaching a definitive conclusion. Jeanne Aufmuth of Palo Alto Online noted that despite dramatic moments, the relationships among the four women never face significant challenges.
Box office
The film grossed $2.48 million domestically in the United States and Canada, accumulating $10 million worldwide.