Director Mike Nichols' Postcards from the Edge (1990) was adapted from the novel by Carrie Fisher, which was loosely based on her own life as an actress with a substance abuse problem and as the child of famous parents, although Fisher's mother, actress Debbie Reynolds, would later balk at being depicted as an argumentative alcoholic in the film. Meryl Streep was given the role of Suzanne Vale with Shirley MacLaine as her mother, Doris Mann. Also in the cast were Dennis Quaid, Gene Hackman, Richard Dreyfuss, Annette Bening and Rob Reiner. MGM reportedly paid Fisher six figures for the book rights and hired her to do the screenplay adaptation that differed from the novel, wanting her to focus on the relationship between mother and daughter. Nichols was brought on in 1987 as director, with Debra Winger rumored for Suzanne before the part went to Streep. Filming began in August 1989 at Burbank Studios in Los Angeles and at various places around Los Angeles, including The Pat Sajak Show for a scene that did not appear in the final film. Nichols, who had started his career as a comedian, most notably with his then-partner Elaine May before becoming a director on Broadway and film, asked composer Stephen Sondheim to do a re-write to the lyrics of "I'm Still Here," originally from his 1971 musical Follies to better suit MacLaine's character. When the film was released in September 1990, it received positive reviews, with Streep and MacLaine singled out for praise, and by November the film had grossed over $35.5 million. During Academy Award season, the film was nominated for Best Actress in a Leading Role for Streep and Best Original Song for Shel Silverstein.

By Lorraine LoBianco