Author! Author!: A Confusing Family Drama
Directed by Arthur Hiller
“No ex-husband of Gloria’s ever has to apologize to me about anything. We’re like a little club.”
Ivan Travalian
Coming off his success in the 70s with such iconic films underneath his belt like The Godfather I and II, And Justice for All, and Dog Day Afternoon – Author! Author! is a minor flop. Pacino crashes into the 80s with his second feature film. Author! Author! is an autobiographical movie directed by Arthur Hiller and written by Israel Horovitz. It details the life of a married playwright, named Ivan Travalian, who happens to be a father of five children, four of which are his stepchildren. His wife, Gloria, the mother of all four kids, decided to leave him and them because she felt like it. So, Travalian has a conundrum. He must navigate through personal issues and issues related to the screening of his new production: English with Tears. Chaos ensues.
The premise of the film seems to have wanted to go the Kramer vs. Kramer route, however it falls apart due to a flimsy foundation and little insight given to the decisions made by the characters. It is fused together by the witty dialogue and the beautifully lived in set. Though it felt too much like a non-sensical fluff piece with immature adults and overly mature kids. Pacino, seemingly out of place, did an average job in this role as a scatterbrained, witty, somewhat charming character. There were still some memorable moments he added to form Travalian into a believable character. One instance being in the scene when he hesitates to call his wife – the steps leading up to it and his hesitation was beautifully acted by Pacino. Tuesday Weld as Gloria was portrayed with little depth or morals as there seemed to be no true reason behind her choices. It seems as if the script writers wanted to give us reasons to dislike her. Dyan Cannon acted as Pacino’s second love interest – in such a casual affair might I add. Her performance was solid as Alice Detroit, the leading woman in the play Ivan was meant to direct.
Author! Author! dragged on, save for the few wise cracks in the film. Minimal communication and responsibility from the adults would have done wonders for the script. There seemed to be a lack of complete development of the characters, which left more to be desired. I am a bit disappointed in this; it isn’t as moving as I would have hoped.
The Island Cinephile 
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