Frank Perry adapts Joan Didion’s acclaimed debut novel Play It As It Lays, crafting a lyrical ode to an American angel of death and desire. Maria Wyeth’s built a successful acting career from humble small town root, but her life falls apart behind the scenes. Her abusive husband is also her director (Adam Roarke), she’s pregnant with an unwanted child pre-Roe V. Wade, and the 4-year-old daughter she does have is institutionalized. She can’t help but aimlessly drive L.A. freeways, bitch casually with depressed, gay best friend, B.Z. (Anthony Perkins), and lounge, lethargic and lilting, everywhere in between. A scathing scream into the bitter, dizzying emptiness of it all, this film is as beautiful as it is cruel.
Kim Morgan discusses Play It As It Lays on the New Beverly blog.
