Okay, let's dim the lights, maybe crack open a can of something fizzy, and settle in. Tonight, we’re pulling a tape off the shelf that might spark a grin of recognition, maybe even a faint memory of peroxide fumes and simmering resentment mixed with undeniable heat. We're talking about Carl Reiner's 1997 romantic comedy That Old Feeling, a film that hinges entirely on the explosive chemistry between two forces of nature: Bette Midler and the late, great Dennis Farina.
Remember the premise? It’s almost classic farce territory. Molly (Paula Marshall) is getting married, a seemingly happy occasion that necessitates the reunion of her long-divorced, bitterly antagonistic parents, Lilly (Midler) and Dan (Farina). Their hatred for each other is legendary, volcanic, the stuff of family nightmares. But somewhere between the hurled insults and icy glares at their daughter's wedding, a different kind of spark reignites – that volatile, unpredictable passion that probably fueled their initial marriage and its eventual implosion. What follows is a chaotic whirlwind as Lilly and Dan ditch the reception, run off together, and leave their bewildered daughter and her new, rather vanilla husband (Joey, played by Danny Nucci) scrambling to manage the fallout.
A Masterclass in Combustible Chemistry
Let's be honest, the plot itself isn't rewriting the rom-com rulebook. Penned by Leslie Dixon, who certainly knew her way around comedic chaos after scripts like Overboard (1987) and Mrs. Doubtfire (1993), the narrative beats feel familiar. We see the misunderstandings, the frantic pursuits, the moments of quiet realization coming a mile off. Dixon actually drew inspiration from the dynamic between her own divorced parents, which perhaps lends a sliver of authentic observation beneath the high-concept hijinks. But the reason this film crackles, the reason it likely earned a spot on many a rental shelf back in the day, is the sheer, unadulterated joy of watching Midler and Farina tear into each other, and then, unexpectedly, find their way back to each other.
Bette Midler, as Lilly, is pure diva energy – glamorous, sharp-tongued, unapologetically theatrical. She wields her lines like weapons, dripping sarcasm and radiating indignation. It's a performance perfectly tailored to her larger-than-life persona, the kind audiences expected and adored. Opposite her, Dennis Farina as Dan is a revelation of gruff, masculine charm hiding a surprising vulnerability. Known often for playing tough guys or cops (think Get Shorty or TV's Crime Story), Farina leans into Dan's exasperation but lets you see the flicker of the old attraction, the buried affection beneath the bluster. It's fascinating to know that Albert Brooks was apparently considered for the role – a very different energy indeed! Farina brings a specific kind of street-smart weariness that makes his eventual surrender to Lilly feel both inevitable and genuinely earned. Their scenes together are the film's undeniable engine; the dialogue snaps, the physical comedy lands, and you absolutely believe these two could drive each other crazy and simultaneously find nobody else remotely as interesting.
Holding the Center
Amidst this parental vortex spins Paula Marshall as Molly. It’s a tricky role – the ‘straight man’ reacting to the absurdity – but Marshall grounds the film effectively. She embodies the exasperation and embarrassment any child would feel watching their parents behave like impulsive teenagers. Her journey, from wanting to keep them apart to perhaps recognizing the strange, undeniable bond they share, provides the film's emotional anchor. While her own romantic subplot with a paparazzo played by Blu Mankuma feels a bit tacked on, Marshall herself is immensely likable and relatable, preventing the film from spinning completely off its axis into pure caricature.
The Reiner Touch
Directing this tempest is comedy legend Carl Reiner, a man whose fingerprints are all over classic comedies from The Jerk (1979) to All of Me (1984). His steady hand ensures the pacing remains brisk and the comedic timing sharp, even when the situations stretch credulity. He knows precisely how long to hold a shot on Midler's outraged expression or Farina's slow burn. There's an unfussy competence to the direction, letting the performers – particularly the central duo – carry the comedic weight. While it might not boast the visual invention of some of his earlier work, Reiner's experience ensures the film feels polished and delivers the laughs it promises. Shot largely in Toronto standing in for New York City, it captures that late-90s urban feel, a world just before the ubiquity of cell phones and social media would have drastically altered the plot's mechanics.
That Familiar 90s Comfort
Watching That Old Feeling today evokes a specific kind of nostalgia. It’s the quintessential late-90s studio comedy – star-driven, slightly glossy, built on a high-concept premise, and aiming for broad appeal. It arrived on VHS shelves ($30M budget, ~$38M box office – respectable, not a smash hit) offering exactly what it promised: Bette Midler being fabulous, romantic complications, and a guaranteed happy, if slightly chaotic, ending. There's a certain comfort in its predictability, like slipping on a familiar old sweater. Does it plumb profound depths? Not particularly. Does it linger in the mind with haunting questions about love and marriage? Perhaps not. But does it entertain? Absolutely.
It captures that feeling of grabbing a tape, maybe based purely on the cover art or the stars involved, and settling in for 100 minutes of reliable, professionally crafted escapism. It's a reminder of a time when comedies like this were a staple, offering laughs and charm without demanding too much heavy lifting from the viewer.
Rating: 7/10
This score reflects the film's undeniable strength: the powerhouse pairing of Midler and Farina. Their chemistry elevates a somewhat standard script into something genuinely funny and engaging. While the plot mechanics creak occasionally and some subplots feel underdeveloped, the sheer force of the lead performances and Reiner's competent direction make it a thoroughly enjoyable watch. It doesn't reinvent the wheel, but it rolls along very pleasantly indeed.
That Old Feeling might not be hailed as a groundbreaking classic, but it’s a perfect slice of late-90s rom-com energy, fueled by two stars operating at peak charisma. It leaves you wondering: can that old spark ever truly be extinguished, especially when it burns that bright?