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Poster for Isn't She Great

Isn't She Great

Talent Isn't Everything...

2000 · 1h 35m · R Comedy, Drama
Directed by Andrew Bergman

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Overview

An unsuccessful over-the-top actress becomes a successful over-the-top authoress in this biography of Jacqueline Susann, the famed writer of "The Valley of the Dolls" and other trashy novels. Facing a failing career, Susann meets a successful promoter who becomes her husband. After several failures to place her in commercials and a TV quiz show, he hits upon the idea for her to become a writer. In the pre-1960s, her books were looked upon as trash and non-printable. But then the sexual revolution hit and an audience was born for her books. The story shows the hidden behind-the-scenes story of Susann's life, including her autistic son and her continuing bout with cancer which she hid up until her death.

Director and cast

Critics on Rotten Tomatoes

Top critics, in their words

All reviews
25%
Tomatometer
Rotten

The most notable aspect of this trashy (but unenjoyable) biopic of Jacquleine Susann, Valley of the Doll's best-selling author, is its running time (93 minutes); Bette Midler and Nathan Lane give two of their worst and broadest performances.

Emanuel Levy, Variety
Rotten

The filmmakers don't know what to make of their overblown subject.

Steve Murray, Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Rotten

Isn't She Great is so bland and sentimental, it makes trash seem boring.

Rene Rodriguez, Miami Herald
Rotten

Leaves an unintentional unpleasant aftertaste.

Peter Stack, San Francisco Chronicle
Rotten

The 'She' in the comedy Isn't She Great is Jacqueline Susann, and the joke is that she isn't.

Terry Lawson, Detroit Free Press

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