Short Takes: Feb. 15, 1993

CINEMA

Graveyard Laughter

FACING UP TO WIDOWHOOD, LUCILLE (Diane Ladd) fakes merriness, Doris (Olympia Dukakis) makes a tart-tongued second career out of mourning, and Esther (Ellen Burstyn) remains awash in vulnerability. They are THE CEMETERY CLUB -- three nice middle-aged, middle-class Jewish ladies trying to live out their leftover lives. When Esther crosses class lines to embark tentatively on a relationship with Ben (Danny Aiello), who drives a cab, her pals send up a chorus of envy and disapproval. The acting is sharp, and Bill Duke's direction is realistically grounded. But writer Ivan Menchell Neil Simonizes loss. He can be funny...

Want the full story?

Subscribe Now

Subscribe
Subscribe

Learn more about the benefits of being a TIME subscriber

If you are already a subscriber sign up — registration is free!