The Morning After

There is a wonderful 1986 movie with Jane Fonda and Jeff Bridges called "The Morning After". It is advertised as a suspense-thriller, but it is a masterfully done story about second chances. Jane Fonda plays a down on her luck alcoholic actress who has black outs that land her in a lot of trouble, and eventually get her involved in a murder. With the help of Jeff Bridges, who plays a cop out of a job due to an injury, she figures out she is being set up to take the fall for an ambitious husband. Because the story focuses on the budding relationship between the actress and the cop, it takes on a quality of theatre, especially with the skillful acting of both Jane Fonda and Jeff Bridges, who play well off each other in this and make their down on their luck story both convincing and touching. Raul Julia as the murderous and vindictive husband is smooth as silk. "The Morning After" is one of those mostly forgotten movies that is well worth the time to check out. I thought it interesting too, to watch it at year's end, as we all make New Year's resolutions that often sabotage us before we even start them, because they are so far fetched and unrealistic. What touched me the most about this movie, apart from the pleasure of seeing two great actors together, is that it reminded me of the importance of self acceptance, of coming to terms with the imperfect creatures we are, and the broken parts that we have to learn to live with. This movie is the story of two most imperfect people who find redemption and hope in the love they discover they are still capable of in spite of deep wounds and bitter disappointments. I certainly can relate to that challenge and opportunity. It is a good movie to be exposed to as a New Year rolls around and we try, once more, to dust ourselves off and try all over again to believe in life, our hopes and dreams, each other and ourselves.