Mrs. Parker and the Vicious Circle

“Dorothy Parker was the wittiest of the Algonquin crowd, and the one whose work has survived the best. And probably she was the saddest, too; she never won her true love, drank too much, and her wonderful talent rarely broke free from the wisecracks and the booze..." -- Roger Ebert  read entire article

“A charismatic, unforgettable heroine, stunningly well-played by Jennifer Jason Leigh. Mrs. Parker and the Vicious Circle has . . .a heartfelt grasp of what set Dorothy Parker apart from her fellow revelers and makes her so emblematic a figure even today." -- Janet Maslin, The New York Times

“The Dorothy Parker (in this film) isn't one-dimensional. In addition to being savagely funny, she is also capable of great elegance and genuine insight. At one point, a young admirer remarks that her days at the Round Table must have been "colorful." The movie is that and more—inventive, hilarious and, in its own sneaky way, moving." -- Hal Hinson, The Washington Post

“A literary biopic quite unlike any other. As interesting, infuriating, and undeniably brilliant as Parker herself." -- David Wood, BBC Films  read entire article

“What a wonderful, detailed portrait. And what an evocation of a time and a mood. Mrs. Parker and the Vicious Circle'' is truly one of those films that inhabits its own world." -- Mick LaSalle, San Francisco Chronicle

“We all think we know her: Dorothy Parker, an American icon, urbane wit, high priestess of the bon mot, modern template for the self-destructive female artist. Yet even those who knew her can't agree about her character; various observations and reminiscences all reflect different aspects of her personality or, maybe, only the perspectives visible to each separate observer. Mrs. Parker and the Vicious Circle accomplishes the phenomenal. It re-creates the flavor of the 1920s glitterati gang with such vivid and loving detail that you feel like the proverbial fly on the Algonquin walls or a dinner roll fallen out of view underneath the famed Round Table." -- Marjorie Baumgarten, The Austin Chronicle

“Mrs. Parker and the Vicious Circle is a top-notch movie. Everything is in place—a striking lead performance, solid supporting players, a well-written script, and, above all, expert direction to merge the ingredients." -- James Berardinelli, Reel Views  read entire article

"Mrs. Parker and the Vicious Circle stars Jennifer Jason Leigh as the infamous Dorothy Parker, in what I feel to be the best performance by an actress in 1994." -- Christopher Null, Filmcritic.com


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