This Is My Life

Stars: Julie Kavner (Awakenings, New York Stories, TV's "Rhoda," "The Tracey Ullman Show," and the voice of Marge on "The Simpsons"), Dan Ackroyd (Driving Miss Daisy, Loose Cannons), and Carrie Fisher (Star Wars trilogy, When Harry Met Sally, Drop Dead Fred). Nora Ephron (writer of Heartburn) takes the directorial reins in this adaptation of Meg Wolitzer's charming novel about a Macy's cosmetics saleswoman who becomes a stand-up comic. Julie Kavner stars as Dottie Ingels, the fast-talking mom with a pair of lovable daughters: 16-year-old Erica (a brooding literary type) and 10-year-old Gaby (a charmer). When Mom lands Arnold Moss (Ackroyd) as her agent, her career zooms. Pretty soon, she's spending more time in Vegas and L.A. than at home, and consequently the kids begin to get a bit miffed over their mom's overnight success. Things come to a head when Dottie starts using material from her children's lives--some of it rather personal. The acting is fine all around, and comedy writer Ephron knows how to keep the dialogue punching. A little disappointing, however, are Ackroyd and Fisher's 10-line performance (they hardly rate supporting credits). Too, there is the unbelievably sugary quick bandaid ending. Audience: Most people looking for light fare with a few painful truths thrown in. Plus, people get a chance to see Julie Kavner--the gravelly voice of Marge Simpson!