Such Good Friends (1971)

Otto Preminger's later films are an acquired taste. But this one, while completely outrageous, seems to be one of his better efforts.Some of the more memorable scenes: Burgess Meredith walking around nude at a cocktail party (!); Ken Howard impotent while making love to Dyan Cannon; Cannon attempting to seduce obese James Coco who is wearing a girdle (!); and Cannon finding her husband's black book with notes about sex with other women. Despite its unusualness, SUCH GOOD FRIENDS is an enjoyable picture to watch because it's something you don't have to take seriously. It is obviously a black comedy and the first few minutes establish the mood perfectly. It does become a bit of a maudlin soap opera where Cannon's character is figuring out her husband's infidelities and trying to decide if she still loves the guy or not. But the melodramatic aspects are definitely overshadowed by the satirical look at urban mores that Preminger presents.

Who would think that a mole removal could cause such an ordeal for married couple Lawrence Luckinbill and Dyan Cannon? But it does. As this stupid mole keeps chaffing on Luckinbill's shirt, he decides to have the darn thing taken off his neck. But before you can say, "Calling Dr. Kildare!", he's in a coma, and everybody in Manhattan he knows is anxiously giving blood. Frantic wife Dyan Cannon finds out her husband wasn't so faithful to her, so she goes on a sexual rampage, seducing their photographer friend Ken Howard with limp results and going out of her way to satisfy the doctor friend (James Coco) who operated on Luckinbill in the first place. Portly Coco is hysterical as he tries to get out of his corset without Cannon noticing he has it on. If that visual isn't hysterically gross, try this one on: Burgess Meredith in the buff. Yes, if you were anxiously awaiting a movie where the Penguin bares (almost) all, try this one for size. The star of "Winterset" and "Of Mice and Men" tops his already memorable performance in "Hurry Sundown" with this cameo where Cannon sees the toupee wearing Meredith wearing nothing but a flower over his nipple and what looks like a department store shopping bag covering his privates.Is there a point to all of this? Not really unless it is uncomfortable laughs Otto Preminger, the director of "Laura", "Anatomy of a Murder" and that recent masterpiece "Skidoo" was going for. Much better than that piece of celluloid ragweed, "Such Good Friends" is a comedy of groans with an interesting cast, some wonderful shots of early 1970's Manhattan, and a Blake Edwards sensibility that would make the Pink Panther give himself up to Clouseau. Dyan Cannon plays a totally likable character that seems to judge nobody, least of all her nagging monster of a mother (Nina Foch in a toure de force performance). In fact, she enjoys seeing Meredith in the buff, and agrees to share a dance with him. She is a perfect wife and mother but has no shame of wearing a see-through knit vest with no bra. The bearded Howard, fresh from his triumph as Thomas Jefferson in Broadway's "1776", is also amusing. Of supporting actors, Doris Roberts is instantly recognizable as a hospital visitor who appears in several hospital scenes over several days (wearing the same outfit!). Some veteran stars of "B" movies of the 40's and '50's appear in cameos.Not a great comedy, it is amusing simply by the sheer gall of the writers and director. In fact, fans of the "Airplane!" and "Naked Gun" movies will have to watch it several times to (like those Zucker brother comedy classics) catch every single gag. Others might find making fun of hospitalization, malpractice and possible death offensive.

I'm a big fan of the beautiful, sexy, and talented Dyan Cannon. I saw this film when it first came out in 1971 and thought it was funny, sexy, well-acted, and entertaining. Well, I just saw this movie today, after some 35 years and it hasn't aged well. The movie about a medical mishap and extra-marital affairs is now old news. The plot no longer has the kick it had back in 1971. There are some bright spots that are still shinny; an all-star cast of veteran actors, the sexy Miss Cannon and the equally attractive Jennifer O'Neal, and one very humor "sex" scene. Aside from that, the movie is slow moving and somewhat dull. The plot is depressing, and the ending makes little or no sense. So, unless you're a big fan of Dyan Cannon or Jennifer O'Neal, I'd forget about Such Good Friends.

29 years before American Beauty, Otto Preminger destroys the icons of american life, from the husband to the mother to the medical doctor, in a vitriolic satire where only the wronged ones gain the viewer's sympathy.Ever asked yourself why you should be faithful to your husband/wife? See this movie. I loved it.