This obscure 1990 TV movie accidentally turns out to be a tribute to a TV icon.
There’s no question whatsoever that Mary Tyler Moore and Bernadette Peters both earned the title of legend after lengthy and acclaimed careers. While the former became a television pioneer and icon thanks to a pair of revolutionary long-running sitcoms, the latter ascended the heights of Broadway to become the first lady of American musical theater. Yet for some reason, the film world never knew quite what to do with either actress. Moore snagged an Oscar nomination for her incredible work in Ordinary People, and Peters charmed her way through the otherwise forgettable film version of Pennies From Heaven. The two found more success in the land of made-for-TV movies, where both actresses were allowed to shine. And as evidenced by the dramatic 1990 offering The Last Best Year, shine they both did.
In The Last Best Year, hard-working Jane (Peters) is at the place she wants to be in her life, despite never having settled down in an effort to build up her career. When she discovers she’s only got months to live after being diagnosed with cancer, Jane’s world is shattered. Following the advice of her doctor, Jane decides to get some therapy after being referred to Dr. Wendy Haller (Moore). However, when Wendy learns that Jane’s case is terminal, she’s reluctant to treat her due to her own unresolved feelings concerning her father’s death from cancer when she was a girl. Despite this, Wendy takes Jane on as a patient, and the women form a unique and surprising bond.
Though the plot offers very little in terms of anything new, The Last Best Year manages to make a worthwhile comment on an unexpected friendship. Jane and Wendy are two women at opposite ends of the spectrum coming together and healing each other, while being forced to confront the aspects of the past and the present which frighten them. Both are scared and deeply need one another even though they don’t necessarily elect to have each other in their respective lives. What makes the film interesting to watch is the fact that this is a friendship for a finite amount of time. Because of this, both women let their guards down and are able to express their true selves to one another because they feel, in a sense, they’ve got little left to lose. In the end, though, they both realize they will both be losing so much.
In a number of ways, The Last Best Year shows itself to be a cut above the traditional TV movie in terms of execution. The film is expertly scored and gorgeously shot, and even includes a dream sequence which is both surreal and enchanting. The area where The Last Best Year especially comes alive is in its dialogue. Most of the lines in the film read as simplistic, yet contain such truth and wisdom underneath, making for some delicate exchanges between characters. “Keeping things to yourself can be a burden,” Jane states at one point. It’s also the dialogue which greatly boosts Wendy’s moment of catharsis and confrontation with her mother concerning her father’s death. “It wasn’t him,” says her mother referring to the state Wendy’s father was in when he died. “I didn’t want you to see him that way,” she states. “Maybe he wanted to see me,” exclaims Wendy. “Maybe he wanted to say goodbye to me!”
The Last Best Year does what very few other movie-of-the-week fare of the time did, which is to go against typecasting. The film is outside the wheelhouse of both actresses, yet the pair admirably step up to the plate, and the result is outstanding. Even more impressive is the fact that two such incredibly different acting styles can come together so harmoniously. Moore exudes vulnerability and strength, at times simultaneously, wonderfully playing off of Peters as she excellently taps into Jane’s mixture of fear and regret.
It should be mentioned that both Moore and Peters formed a real-life bond while shooting The Last Best Year, a bond which developed into an enduring friendship. It was a friendship which lasted right up to the day Peters attended her co-star’s funeral in early 2017. When the the news of Moore’s passing arrived in late January, the sadness from her many fans, most of whom considered the actress an inspiration as well as a star, was strongly felt. Needless to say, the DVD release of The Last Best Year seems to be coming out at a slightly fortuitous time. It now remains a testament to both Moore’s impeccable talents and the strength of friendship.
The Last Best Year is now available on DVD from Olive Films.
