A Hollywood actress undergoes a psychic breakdown and recalls the traumatic events which led to her stay at a sanitarium.A Hollywood actress undergoes a psychic breakdown and recalls the traumatic events which led to her stay at a sanitarium.A Hollywood actress undergoes a psychic breakdown and recalls the traumatic events which led to her stay at a sanitarium.
- Awards
- 1 win & 1 nomination total
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaJoan Didion wanted Sam Peckinpah to direct but he was never quite sure why she would select him, given his success as a director of Western-themed films, and declined.
- GoofsFull-screen version shows boom mic in the outdoor sequence where Maria is shooting an actual gun on the movie set; boom mic also visible when B.Z. talks with Maria in the motel room while she is looking at crime scene photographs with a magnifying glass.
- Quotes
Maria Wyeth Lang: ...existentially, I'm getting a hamburger.
- ConnectionsFeatured in Joan Didion: The Center Will Not Hold (2017)
Featured review
This film, as the previous reviewers have said, is a real gem, namely for two reasons. First off, it is basically a character study of an individual who has been consumed by the lifestyle which she has adopted for herself. In the part of this tortured person, Tuesday Weld gives an exceptional performance. Her body language and facial expressions all convey the feeling of a person lost in this world that she has come to loathe. Anthony Perkins is also excellent in his role of B.Z. and he, and Weld counteract with each other beautifully.
The other main reason why this film is so intriguing, is the way it is edited and pieced together. The viewer basically goes from one scene to the next without any serious concern for continuity. Because of this fractured, choppy approach to the storytelling, some really impressive sequences are pulled off simply, yet effectively. There is one particularly impressive sequence involving Weld's character driving down a freeway, while a camera above pulls back to show the twisted, snake-like formation of the southern California freeway system. There is also the final scene, with it's haunting final message, which is certain to linger in one's mind days after seeing the film. Indeed, a very unique and special piece.
The other main reason why this film is so intriguing, is the way it is edited and pieced together. The viewer basically goes from one scene to the next without any serious concern for continuity. Because of this fractured, choppy approach to the storytelling, some really impressive sequences are pulled off simply, yet effectively. There is one particularly impressive sequence involving Weld's character driving down a freeway, while a camera above pulls back to show the twisted, snake-like formation of the southern California freeway system. There is also the final scene, with it's haunting final message, which is certain to linger in one's mind days after seeing the film. Indeed, a very unique and special piece.
- How long is Play It As It Lays?Powered by Alexa
Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Language
- Also known as
- Играй как по писаному
- Filming locations
- Las Vegas, Nevada, USA(Location)
- Production companies
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
Box office
- Budget
- $1,000,000 (estimated)
- Runtime1 hour 39 minutes
- Aspect ratio
- 1.85 : 1
Contribute to this page
Suggest an edit or add missing content
