Watch Used People

Used People is a heartfelt and humorous movie from 1992 that follows the lives of a Jewish family living in New York during the 1960s. The film stars an impressive cast including Shirley MacLaine, Kathy Bates, Jessica Tandy, and Marcello Mastroianni. The story begins with the death of the family matriarch, Pearl Berman (played by Tandy), which brings her family members back to their childhood home for the first time in years. The three adult children are played by MacLaine, Bates, and Bob Dishy. As they gather together to mourn their mother's passing, they begin to confront the complexities of their own relationships and the secrets that have kept them apart for so long.

MacLaine plays the eldest daughter, Norma, who is struggling to reconcile her past with her present life as a wife and mother. She is married to a successful businessman, Jack (played by William Hurt), but their marriage is strained due to his infidelity and her overall unhappiness. To make matters worse, Norma's mother-in-law, Thelma, (played by Sylvia Sidney) is a formidable presence in her life who constantly criticizes her and makes her feel inferior.

Bates plays the middle daughter, Bibby, who has recently been divorced from her cheating husband. She has returned home with her two young daughters and is struggling to make ends meet. Despite the difficulties she faces, Bibby remains optimistic and is determined to find love again.

Dishy plays the youngest son, Warren, who is a successful businessman, but still feels overshadowed by his older sisters. He is in a relationship with a much younger woman who he hopes will be the solution to his midlife crisis.

As the family members navigate their individual struggles, they come together to plan a traditional Jewish funeral for their mother. Through this process, they begin to come to terms with their past and find a way to move forward as a family.

The film is a poignant exploration of family dynamics and the complexities of love, loss, and forgiveness. The performances by the talented cast are exceptional, particularly those of Tandy and MacLaine, who bring depth and pathos to their roles. The strong writing by Todd Graff, who also directed the film, captures the humor and heartache of the family's interactions and makes the audience care deeply about their struggles.

The film's setting in the 1960s provides a richly detailed backdrop for the story, from the fashion and music to the cultural norms and values of the time. This historical context adds an extra layer of meaning to the characters' experiences and helps to situate their struggles within a broader societal context.

Overall, Used People is a touching and engaging film that explores complex familial relationships with humor and sensitivity. Its talented cast and strong writing make it a true standout in the genre of family dramas, and its themes of love, loss, and forgiveness are timeless and universal.

Used People is a 1992 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 55 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.0.