Shoot The Moon
The film stars Albert Finney and Diane Keaton as a married couple. He's a famous writer, and the opening scene has him winning an award. When someone refers to Keaton has his friend, she corrects him: "I'm not his friend, I'm his wife." Finney has a mistress, and a few days later he's shocked to learn that Keaton knows all about it. He leaves.
The couple has four daughters, and the oldest, Dana Hill, takes it hard, refusing to see him. Finney moves in with his new woman, Karen Allen, while Keaton strikes up a romance with the contractor putting in her tennis court, Peter Weller. But in a classic double standard, Finney is jealous.
Shoot The Moon (the title refers to the card game hearts), which was written by Bo Goldman, is a fairly good film that relies too much on histrionics. In particular, there are two scenes that seem like from another movie, both of which show Finney's violent side. The first is undoubtedly there to set up the climax, but they both feel completely out of place, as otherwise Finney shows no violent nature. It's as if Parker and Goldman felt they were necessary just to goose the plot a bit.
But the rest of the film is top notch, especially as it shows how divorce can wreak havoc on a child's psyche. Hill, as a girl of about thirteen, is very good as she is being scarred by her parents' troubles. Finney and Keaton are also excellent. His facial expression has he realizes Keaton knows about his affair is perfect.
This is not an easy film to watch, and might not be ideal viewing for anyone currently going through a divorce, either as a parent or child. Hill tells Keaton she is never getting married. "What's the point?" she asks, and in the world of this film, she's right.
Two of the other daughters were played by sit-com child stars Tracey Gold (Growing Pains) and Tina Yothers (Family Ties). Also, the house where they live, set in Marin County, is one of those glorious dwellings that only exist in movies or magazines.
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