After getting out, Susanne is cast in another medium budget picture, but she is subjected to living with her mother, Doris, played by Oscar® winner Shirley McClaine (Bewitched), so the production's insurance company will cover her; however, Doris is probably the worse influence Susanne could be around during her days in rehabilitation.

Fisher's characters are awesome. Each one of them are well motivated and thoroughly believable. The story was very interesting, despite being about her own relationship with real life mother Debbie Reynolds (Singin' in the Rain).

Streep nails the mid age, drug addicted Susanne without a weak scene. There is a great moment between Susanne and director Lowell, played by Oscar® winner Gene Hackman (Runaway Jury), when she is performing ADR for the last movie she appeared in before her overdose. The moment showed the kind of growth Susanne had made over the past months and Streep's choices, coupled with Hackman's masterful support, brought the character's inner conflict and revelations to the screen without using words. Awesome stuff.

Nichols strength as a director is shown in the cast. Each performer knew exactly where to come from with each line, and had their inner dialogue down cold. Nichols helped them find a true niche to help keep each character interesting and real.

This picture is really a credit to Carrie Fisher's ability as a writer. Of all the Mike Nichols pictures I have enjoyed in the past, THIS one had the best written script.

Overall, this picture is well worth watching, simply for the performances and complex character struggles. If it sounds like a snoozer to you, than it probably will be. If you're like me, and like movies that examine character behind-the-scenes of TV, radio and movies, than "Postcards From the Edge" may find its way into your DVD collection.