Movies: See You in the Morning (1989)
Divorce, Blended Family, Romance with Jeff Bridges, Alice Krige and Farrah Fawcett
Alice Krige (Ghost Story) plays opposite Jeff Bridges (Fearless) in this 1989 romantic movie. As Krige’s photographer, mother and widow grieves the loss of her husband, Bridges’s psychiatrist and divorced father grieves the loss of the love of his life (Farrah Fawcett, captivating as ever). See You in the Morning, directed by Alan J. Pakula, is a film I’ve wanted to watch for years, mostly for the pairing of Bridges with Farrah Fawcett, an actress I admire for her stamina, aura and independence. I’m glad I did.
Though not as conceptualized and directed as Avery Corman’s and Robert Benton’s Kramer Vs. Kramer and other films dramatizing complex themes about parenting, family, romantic love and marriage, See You in the Morning frames everything within a sense of romanticism I found realistic. Farrah Fawcett allures as the woman of mystery with whom the solid, old-fashioned, happy father played by Bridges (in one of his best roles) remains enchanted. Pre-Home Alone Macaulay Culkin plays their son. Drew Barrymore plays Krige’s troubled daughter. Theodore Bikel returns to the screen. The late Linda Lavin (Alice on CBS) delivers an excellent, attuned performance as the new couple’s Cupid. Lukas Haas (Witness) plays an important role as Krige’s son. There’s value in its parenting plot points.
See You in the Morning putters here and there. I was involved and wanted to know what the psychiatrist would do next to court the photographer while wondering whether he’d be able to let go of Fawcett’s model. Watching an adult-themed, if forgotten, film about loss, grief, trust, lightness and rebuilding with love in self-awareness and fidelity to shared values—and willingness to be vulnerable—surprised me with its ability to charm. I smiled at the end of an airport scene, which perfectly depicts choosing romantic love in the midst of coping with a mess. Like its optimistic title, See You in the Morning exists to shed light, entertain and stimulate thoughts on finding and keeping love in confusion. It’s not made to target, malign or denigrate. It’s made to depict and express romantic and parental love. That it does so with reflection, decency and Nat ‘King’ Cole makes it better than its reputation.
Sounds like a good candidate for a Valentine's Evening viewing!