(Credit: Amazon.com)
Directed by
Phyllis Nagy
Cast:
Annette Bening …. Jean Harris
Ben Kingsley …. Herman Tarnower
Frances Fisher …. Marge Jacobson
Lawrence O’Donnell …. Judge Leggett (as Lawrence O’Donnell Jr.)
Cloris Leachman …. Pearl “Billie” Schwartz
Frank Whaley …. George Bolen
Bill Smitrovich …. Joel Arnou
Michael Gross …. Leslie Jacobson
Ronald Guttman …. Henri
John Patrick Amedori …. Young David Harris
Brad McCoy …. Young Jimmy Harris
John Rubinstein …. Tarnower’s Best Friend
Brett Butler …. Tarnower Ex #1
Lee Garlington …. Ex-Lover #2
Ellen Burstyn …. Ex-Lover #3
Cristine Rose …. Suzanne
Jessica Tuck …. Wife #1
Robert Cicchini …. Det. Siciliano
Michael Paul Chan …. Dr. Louis Roh
Nan Martin …. Tarnower’s mother
Mary McDonnell …. Vivian Schulte
Philip Baker Hall …. Arthur Schulte
Chloë Sevigny …. Lynne Tryforos
Jessica Kate Meyer …. Debbie
Watching HBO regularly, it makes you wonder if there’s some supernatural cause for the channel’s high quality of programming. It really is staggering to think that The Sopranos, Deadwood, Six Feet under, and Rome all came under the same banner, not to mention miniseries such as Band of Brothers, Elizabeth I, and Empire Falls. It’s as if the cable network decided to hire King Midas as their CEO so he could turn everything they made into gold, and with the HBO film Mrs. Harris, the cable giant scores another winner.
On March 10, 1980, celebrity physician Herman Tarnower, who was made famous by “Scarsdale Diet”, was shot dead by his lover Jean Harris after a 14 year relationship. Harris pled not guilty and was convicted and sentenced to 15 years to life. Played straight, this account of their relationship and its tragic end could have been interminably boring, but Director Phyllis Nagy gives Mrs. Harris a light and jaunty spirit that makes it a joy to watch.
Enjoying her best role since American Beauty, Annett Bening is electric as the film’s title role. She plays Harris as a woman who genuinely wants to be stronger than she is, but falls too hard for Tarnower (Ben Kingsley), and becomes completely dependant on his affection. Bening does instill strength within Harris when it comes to anyone except the Doctor, as she is defiant towards people that tell her she is unable to things because she is a woman, and is equally bold in the courtroom when pleading for her freedom. It is when she’s with her beloved “Hy” Tarnower that she’s only able to let down her guard. Bening seems to add just a touch more desperation to this character in every scene she’s with her lover. She eventually becomes obsessed to the point that she would rather take her own life then see him in love with another woman.
Kingsley is delightfully over the top as the eccentric Dr. Tarnower. Everything from his body language to his accent is a thousand miles away from the acto’s normally stoic figures, but then again this is the actor who lit up the screen in Sexy Beast just a few years ago. Here, he’s kind of a big jerk, which does cause the audience to question why Mrs. Harris is so devoted to him, but at the same time he’s also quite forward with his feelings toward her. She compliments him to a degree that he loves her company, but not enough to marry her, much to the dismay of Bening’s Harris.
What’s amazing is how amusing that Director Phyllis Nagy is able to keep the production, even in the face of the material’s darkness. Great touches include little interviews with the friends and family about the couple. These segments are purposefully degraded, to make it look like documentary footage. Then to catch you off guard, much of the narrative seems to have been shot with the spirit of old studio Hollywood. One such moment has Tarnowe’s ex-girlfriend’s talking about how well endowed the man was. This is juxtaposed with a scene of the Doctor getting out of a gym shower and then seemingly floating through a locker room full of men, who can’t help but stare. The choreography has the men moving in tandem, as if the scene were right out of a Musical, and the results are hilarious.
Supporting players, including Philip Baker Hall, Chloë Sevigny, Frank Whaley, and Mary McDonnell, all add mightily to the experience as well. Best of all is Cloris Leachman, who won as Emmy for her role, as Tarnowe’s furious sister, constantly turning a blind eye to the man’s faults and blaming Harris for all of her brothe’s troubles. There isn’t a weak link in this entire chain of actors, which solidifies the entertainment of this piece.
Again, the film’s few faults would lie with how Tarnower is depicted and never really delving enough into why Harris was so reliant on him. On the other hand, the superior direction and performances make this film delightfully entertaining, while being able to steer clear of the trashiness of its subject matter. Like its predecessors on the network, Mrs. Harris displays a level of quality that lets it rest right next to the other wonderful achievements that HBO has offered.
Score:8/10
The Video
The disc’s video print is quite nice, looking even better than it did in its initial broadcast. The film is presented in Anamorphic Widescreen with an aspect ratio of 1.78:1.
The Audio
The film’s Dolby Digital 5.1 is also nice, highlighting the movie’s wonderful soundtrack.
SPECIAL FEATURES: Audio Commentaries, Featurette.
Commentary with Actors Annette Bening and Ben Kingsley — This is a funny commentary; as Bening gets to really display her passion for this project. The two are pretty nonstop throughout the track and have a really nice repartee.
Commentary with Director Phyllis Nagy – This track is even better, with Nagy giving a lot of little nuggets about the story and different production bits. The track isn’t as nonstop as the previous one, but has more insight.
Mrs. Harris For the Record: Firsthand Accounts – This is a terrific Featurette, that has original interviews with Jean Harris as well as tidbits from the actors and film makers. We also here from the prosecutors and the judge who had met the woman first hand. This is a really nice mini-doc that I just wish ran longer than its five minutes.
Score:5/10
The Inside Pulse
Mrs. Harris is terrific entertainment, made great by stupendous performances and direction. The disc itself is a little light, but what’s there is very informative. Those that love HBO’s programming or are fans of anyone involved will want to check this out.
