Themes: Hide the Dead Body, All Washed Up, Alcoholism
Main Cast: Jane Fonda, Jeff Bridges, Raul Julia, Diane Salinger, Richard Foronjy
Release Year: 1986
Country: US
Run Time: 103 minutes
MPAA Rating: R
Plot
In this excellent thriller, crisply directed by Sidney Lumet, Alex Sternbergen (Jane Fonda), a washed-up, alcoholic actress who never quite made it, wakes up one morning in an unfamiliar, luxurious loft apartment, only to find the corpse of a stranger next to her in bed. Alex can remember nothing of the night before. In a panic, she tries to flee but is unable to get a flight out of Los Angeles, and short of cash, she hitches a ride with Turner Kendall (Jeff Bridges), a disabled former policeman who happens to be fixing his car in the airport parking lot. Alex tries to get rid of Turner and returns to the loft which she cleans in a futile attempt to get rid of her finger prints. Turner continues to take an unappreciated interest in Alex and keeps turning up unexpectedly, much to her annoyance. Finally, desperate and on the run, and never sure that she didn't commit the murder, Alex allows Turner to help her. Alex also confides in and is helped by her ex-husband and friend Joaquin Manero (Raul Julia), the only man she completely trusts. Despite Alex's suspicion of Turner, she slowly falls in love with him. The movie quickly moves to a surprising conclusion, and creates a good deal of suspense, particularly when Alex is confronted with a corpse that just won't stay put. The highlight of the film is the performance by Jane Fonda reminiscent of her magnificent performance as Bree Daniels in Klute. The Morning After never rises to the quality of Klute, but Fonda's performance was strong enough to earn her an Oscar nomination. ~ Linda Rasmussen, All Movie Guide
Geoffrey Scott - Bobby Korshack; James "Gypsy" Haake - Frankie; Kathleen Wilhoite - Red; Don Hood - Hurley; Kathy Bates - Woman on Mateo Street; Fran Bennett - Airline Clerk; Frances Bergen - Mrs. Harding; Anne Betancourt - Nurse; Michael Flanagan - Airline Supervisor; Laurel Lyle - Secretary; Michael Prince - Mr. Harding; Rick Rossovich - Detective; Jose Santana - Driver; Sam Scarber - Detective; Bruce Vilanch - Bartender; Bob Minor - Man; Michael Zand - Detective; Drew Berman - Detective; Corinna Everson - Miss Olympia; George Howard - Saxophonist; Betty Lougaris - Salon Customer; Gladys Portugese - Body Builder; Patti Song - Hairstylist; George Fisher - Cabbie
Credit
Kandy Stern - Art Director, Wolfgang Glattes - Associate Producer, Nancy Klopper - Casting, Ann Roth - Costume Designer, Sidney Lumet - Director, Joel Goodman - Editor, Faye Schwab - Executive Producer, Paul Chihara - Composer (Music Score), Wally Badarou - Songwriter, John Martyn - Songwriter, Robert Palmer - Songwriter, The Earons - Songwriter, Pete Altobelli - Makeup, Gary D. Liddiard - Makeup, Gary Likkiard - Makeup, Albert Brenner - Production Designer, Andrzej Bartkowiak - Cinematographer, Lois Bonfiglio - Producer, Bruce Gilbert - Producer, Wolfgang Glattes - Producer, Lee Poll - Set Designer, Tom Ward - Special Effects, Gene Lebell - Stunts, George Marshall Ruge - Stunts, Mickey Gilbert - Stunts, Jay Presson Allen - Screenwriter, James Cresson - Screenwriter, James Hicks - Screenwriter, Michael Dennison - Costumes Supervisor
The Morning After is a 1986 film which tells the story of alcoholic actress Alex (Jane Fonda) who wakes up next to a murdered man. She remembers nothing from the night before. While trying to flee at the airport, Alex encounters an ex-cop Turner (Jeff Bridges) who believes in her innocence. Raúl Juliá plays Alex's hairdresser husband Joaquin, who wants to divorce her, as he has fallen in love with socialite Isabel Harding (Diane Salinger).
The movie was written by James Hicks and David Rayfiel (uncredited). It was directed by Sidney Lumet.
