Judy Berlin

In the opening scenes of this poignant film, we are introduced to a world where the ordinary and extraordinary coexist. On the second day of school, Principal Arthur Gold (Bob Dishy) navigates the complexities of his marriage to Alice (Madeline Kahn), whose effervescent chatter often grates on her husband's nerves. Their son David (Aaron Harnick), a disillusioned thirty-year-old who once pursued a career in Hollywood filmmaking, struggles with the weight of failure.

At the heart of this story is Judy Berlin (Edie Falco), Sue Berlin's (Barbara Barrie) bright and ambitious daughter. Unlike her peers, Judy radiates positivity, enthusiasm, and a passion for life. Her chance encounter with David on a morning stroll sparks a connection that awakens memories of their high school days together. As they reminisce about their shared dreams of success in the film industry, Judy's infectious energy is met with David's reluctance to share his own struggles.

In the midst of this narrative, we meet a cast of characters that populate the town and its institutions. The school employs Sue, a dedicated teacher who prepares her students for the impending solar eclipse; Bea (Anne Meara), the secretary, and Marie (Julie Kavner), the lunch lady, whose conversations weave together tales of cosmic significance and personal aspirations; and Ceil (Judy Graubart), the bus driver, whose daily route navigates the town's idiosyncrasies.

As the story unfolds, we find ourselves drawn into a world where relationships are complex and multifaceted. David's visit to the town's historical society, where Judy works as a museum demonstrator, sets the stage for their blossoming connection. Over lunch, they share stories of filmmaking aspirations, with Judy's frustration palpable as she confronts her own disillusionment. Meanwhile, Arthur's interactions with Sue reveal a deepening romantic tension between them.

As the film's narrative threads begin to weave together, we are drawn into a world where the search for meaning and connection is woven into the fabric of everyday life. With its richly textured characters and poignant exploration of human relationships, this film invites us to reflect on our own aspirations, struggles, and the complexities that define us.

As the solar eclipse reaches its climax, the landscape is bathed in an otherworldly glow, a surreal backdrop for the unfolding drama. Alice (Novella Nelson) is overcome with emotion, and takes her cleaning lady Carol on a meandering stroll, conjuring eerie moans and pretending to defy gravity by walking on air. Her neighbor Maddie (Carlin Glynn) greets them at her newly refurbished kitchen, only to reveal that their previously strained relationship stems from an altercation months prior - one Alice seems unable to recall, hinting at the possibility of a cognitive decline. Meanwhile, Arthur returns home, only to hastily depart once more for his duties at school, leaving Alice to cryptically declare that her husband has abandoned her.

As the eclipse reaches its peak, Sue (novel) dismisses her class, and Arthur pays another visit, sharing a fleeting kiss with her. Judy and David continue their leisurely stroll, lost in nostalgia as they reminisce about their high school days. It is during this walk that Judy confesses to having harbored a secret crush on David due to his enigmatic nature, only for him to dispel her Hollywood dreams by revealing the cutthroat nature of the film industry. Crushed and defeated, Judy flees.

As the moon slowly recedes from the sun's face, Alice and Carol conclude their walk, with Carol eventually departing and leaving Alice in Mr. V's (Peter Appel) care. As they part ways, Alice delivers a poignant monologue that reveals her disconnection from reality and her enduring love for Arthur. Undeterred by David's words of wisdom, Judy plots her escape to Queens, only to be caught off guard by David's apology and admission to loathing goodbyes. With tears in her eyes, she boards the train, leaving her dreams behind.

In the film's climax, Alice and Arthur reunite quietly on the streets, as Sue catches Dolores wandering aimlessly and offers words of comfort, assuring her that all will be well once more. As the sun begins to reassert itself, the eclipse comes to a close, bringing with it a sense of resolution and new beginnings.