80sfilms

Mystic Pizza(1988) might have been billed as a light dramedy, or what we now refer to as a “chick flick”, but at the time it dealt with relevant “chick” issues, such as infidelity and commitment, affairs and even relationship retribution. It also highlighted the strength of female friendships, and kept the men to the peripheral.

Although Julia Roberts has a prominent role in the film (and the studio must have figured her for the biggest draw, judging from the poster above), I would say that Annabeth Gish’s role as a wide-eyed young woman who gets in over her head romantically is by far the most substantial storyline in the film. The role of Kat allowed Gish the most acting range, as opposed to the more one-dimensional character Roberts portrayed.

Rounding out the gals in the film is the always-adorable Lili Taylor, and lending testosterone to the film are Vincent D’Onofrio, William R. Moses and Adam Storke.

Roberts, who played promiscuous Daisy in Mystic Pizza, was still early in her career at this point–this was a year before Pretty Woman came calling. Gish went on to roles on televisions “The X Files”, “The West Wing” and cable’s “Brotherhood”. And Taylor eventually starred in the cable hit “Six Feet Under”, as well as several indie films.

And in case you were wondering, there really is a Mystic Pizza, and it’s supposed to be the bomb!   

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