Old Aquaintance

Old Maid Meets Bitch

Oh please, Lord, don't let this become my life. Kit (Margaret Colin) is a literary writer in her forties living a rather independent life in New York City. Her childhood freind, Millie (Harriet Harris ) is a rather prolific crap novelists (think Daniel Steele) who loves drama and creating drama where none exists. Kit has a thirty-something lover, Rudd, who wants to marry her. Millie has a daughter, Deirdre, who longs to untie herself from her mother by escaping into New York social life. As Millie loses her control of her daughter, she turns to manipulating her ex-husband as he nears his second marriage. Failing to keep those she loves close, she turns her venom on her old friend Kit. But poor Kit is dealing withthe blow that when she finally comes to terms with her love of Rudd, and rethinking her position on marriage, Rudd falls for a younger gal. Will Kit and Millie find a way to get through all the hysterics and remain freinds? Who cares.

Sure, this plot sounds crazy, overwraught and fabulous if only the directing and acting would have seen it for the drag-drama potential it has. What you need are huge outfits with sholderpad and flowing gowns accompanies with performances reminiscent of Bette Davis and Joan Crowfor at their heydays. The performances are too silly, not crazy as you'd wish. Sure, Harriet Harris loves to descend a staricase in gold lame and throw her fur coats about but the attitude isn't there. And Kit is just plain too nice about everything. Why be rational and kind, understanding and sympathetic when crap plots like this demand a cat fight! I'd never except me to long for a Dynasty showdown - Krystal and Alexis, where are you when we need you? Instead teh outdated script and no-risk directing keep this dusty old play squarely in oldsville. Better to stay home with your cat.