Just Between Friends


Just Between Friends is a 1986 American drama film about two women whose friendship is tested by tragedy. The film was written, produced and directed by Allan Burns, and it stars Mary Tyler Moore, Ted Danson, and Christine Lahti.

Plot

Holly Davis is a wife and mother, happily married to Chip Davis, a seismologist. She is not aware that he is having an affair with Sandy Dunlap, a television news reporter who interviewed him after an earthquake.
Holly begins teaching aerobics part-time at the gym where she and Sandy meet. Sandy and Holly become fast friends and Holly's children like Sandy as well. Sandy is a career-minded reporter, trying to become an anchorwoman. Holly invites Sandy to a dinner at her home. It’s then that Sandy realizes her married boyfriend is Holly’s husband. Sandy tells Chip it’s over, but he begs her to wait until they can talk after his upcoming trip. One day at work, a news bulletin reveals the death of Chip in a car crash.
Holly is devastated by the news and so is Sandy. Helga, the gym's owner is ready to sell, so Sandy and Holly invest together. Holly learns the truth while clearing out her husband's office where she finds a photo of Sandy and Chip together. She angrily confronts Sandy who tells her that she was unaware that her new friend was the wife of the man she loved until the dinner party, then she ended it. Holly angrily ends their friendship.
Sandy begs for forgiveness but Holly is devastated, hurt and angry and refuses to forgive Sandy. Holly swears she will buy Sandy out of her share of the gym as soon as she is able and refuses to resume the close friendship they once shared.
Sandy discovers that she is pregnant and she tells Holly, who is horrified by the news. Over time, Holly realizes that Sandy's child will also be her husband's child so she decides that she should try to forgive Sandy so that she can be a part of the child's life. Harry, Chip’s co-worker, helps Sandy with her pregnancy. He also see Holly, always having had a crush on her. Sandy rejects Holly’s attempt at renewing their friendship at first but once the child is born, the film ends as they begin to repair their friendship and Harry kisses Holly.

Cast

Just Between Friends received negative to mixed reviews from critics. The film currently holds a 33% rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on 6 reviews.

DVD

Just Between Friends was released on DVD by MGM Home Entertainment on January 13, 2004 as a Region 1 DVD.