Rating: 
Summary: only buy this movie if you like the actors.
Review: I am a HUGE fan of Nathan Lane so of course i bought this, but if your not upsessed with either Nathan or Bette Midler, then I don't think you need to own this film. I mean I really liked this movie, it's funny, but other wise the movie is quite a flop....
Rating:
Summary: she's great! - a wonderful story about the life of ms susann
Review: i had never heard of jacq. susann before this movie. though i had heard of Valley of the dolls (but never read it). i just read a few of the other reviews on this one, and i noticed some comments about the over acting. what you may not realize is the time period this is set in. the over the top acting from bette and stockard is perfection. they really play up to the camera and the other actors, and i found myself laughing at even the tiny little neuances of their characters....bette plays the lead character, and we watch her through her UP times (which really weren't all that grand) then down into her low times when she realizes she has breast cancer. the discussions with god out in the park are pretty interested, and quite frank/bold/graphic. (the movie gets an R rating because of language...there isn't any nudity, but there are sexual situations related to her writing the book) if you are expecting an all out comedy, this isn't it...there are funny moments, and there are also some very touching moments. it is very emotional to watch susann aging and showing signs of her disease...stockard channing as her best friend does offer us a wonderful humour side to the whole thing.... david hyde pierce is typical niles in this one, and has the same types of mannerisms and platitutdes...type casting? who knew? i think bette midler did a wonderful job, as did stockard channing...john cleese's character also offers us some more humour as the publishing director. all in all, a wonderful romp through the life of an aging actress and a budding writer.....after seeing the movie, i definately want to go buy the book and see what it's all about....
Rating: 
Summary: Isn't That Bad
Review: I have to admit that the only thing I knew about Jacqueline Susann was that she wrote "Valley Of The Dolls", and that was because my Mom had read it. Well, last night the movie was on HBO, so being a fan of Better Midler, I watched it and liked it. Yes, it bombed in the theaters, but I just do not know why. The movie was a bit short, but I believe that the acting and the subject matter itself was great. Bette Midler was the perfect choice for the controversial author, and the rest of the cast is rounded out with Nathan Lane(husband),Stockard Channing(best friend),David Hyde Pierce(book editor), and John Cleese(publisher). Stockard Channing as the over-the-top friend almost steals the movie away, and this is one of her best roles in years! Also look closely and you'll see Steve Lawrence's son playing his father in the movie. Now, "Isn't She Great" isn't the greatest, but it also isn't the worst. It's a funny and touching look at Jacqueline Susann, and you get to know what Susann was really like. I think that that is the great part...
Rating:
Summary: Isn't That Bad
Review: I have to admit that the only thing I knew about Jacqueline Susann was that she wrote "Valley Of The Dolls", and that was because my Mom had read it. Well, last night the movie was on HBO, so being a fan of Better Midler, I watched it and liked it. Yes, it bombed in the theaters, but I just do not know why. The movie was a bit short, but I believe that the acting and the subject matter itself was great. Bette Midler was the perfect choice for the controversial author, and the rest of the cast is rounded out with Nathan Lane(husband),Stockard Channing(best friend),David Hyde Pierce(book editor), and John Cleese(publisher). Stockard Channing as the over-the-top friend almost steals the movie away, and this is one of her best roles in years! Also look closely and you'll see Steve Lawrence's son playing his father in the movie. Now, "Isn't She Great" isn't the greatest, but it also isn't the worst. It's a funny and touching look at Jacqueline Susann, and you get to know what Susann was really like. I think that that is the great part...
Rating: 
Summary: Funny
Review: I liked, this movie there, was some humor and kind'a sad Bette played a writer her book Valley Of The Dolls went to, number #1 it's worth watching.........
Rating:
Summary: bette is wonderful as Jackie Susanne
Review: i loved the movie.bette was wonderful aswell, as Stocker Cahnnind!
Rating:
Summary: Isn't There More???
Review: I rented this DVD only because I like Bette Midler not expecting a great movie experience due to the "critics". But, to my suprise, I thoroughly enjoyed it!!! The acting is GREAT, the story is GREAT, the cast is GREAT and the production value is GREAT!!! I just believe no one gave it a chance. Sure, it's not a "true" telling of J. Susann's life story, but what bio pic really is? The story is SO engaging I never took a break while viewing it -- TWICE!!!. I only wish there was more. Do yourself a favor and rent/buy this movie. I did after returning the rental. There's laughter, tears and a lesson for all -- ENJOY!!!
Rating: 
Summary: sad!
Review: I think Leonard Maltin says it best - the film is "ill conceived". It's not funny, nor serious or off the wall. It's basically bland and that's amazing given the ensemble of talent in this film. I watched on DVD and the sound and video were excellent - it's sad, I feel the subject of the film has merit, it just never came off with the treatment it was given!
Rating:
Summary: The Critics Are WRONG
Review: I went with a friend to see this movie, mentioning to him that the "critics" thought the movie wasn't very good. WE LOVED IT! Bette is at her best portraying Jackie Susann. We recommend that EVERYONE go see this tribute to a great fiction writer.
Rating:
Summary: Shadow of a Doll...
Review: I've watched the DVD a few times, to see if there was any nuances I had missed from the film...There wasn't. Neither a straight up camp-fest (pardon the oxymoron) or a serious biography, "Isn't She Great" lacks focus, unlike the real Jacqueline Susann's desire to be a star. Bette makes a go of it, but she's as miscast as Patty Duke in "Valley Of The Dolls." This is made more apparent by Stockard Channing, who does more with her 5 minutes of film, then Bette does with 90! Stockard would have been brilliant as Jacqueline, espescially in physical appearance. While Paul Rudnick was attempting to cover 50+ years in his script, he probably would have had more luck in focusing on the hoopla around Valley of the Dolls. As for the DVD extras, there were several missed opportunities: A bio on the real Jacqueline, behind the scenes, making of stuff. Bette didn't extend herself to promote this film. I can see why.
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