Life Under Water Explained

Genre:Comedy
Drama
Romance
Director:Jay Holman
Starring:Sarah Jessica Parker
Haviland Morris
Keanu Reeves
Joanna Gleason
Stephen McHattie
Music:Peter Scherer
Country:United States
Language:English
Producer:Jay Holman
Cinematography:Bobby Bukowski
Editor:Elizabeth Kling
Runtime:56 minutes
Company:American Playhouse
Network:PBS

Life Under Water is a 1989 American made-for-television romantic comedy-drama film starring Sarah Jessica Parker, Joanna Gleason and Keanu Reeves. It was written by Richard Greenberg, based on his play. It was broadcast on the PBS television program American Playhouse on April 12, 1989.[1] [2]

Background

The play on which this telefilm is based, also titled Life Under Water, premiered Off-Broadway at the Ensemble Studio Theatre in May 1985. Directed by Don Scardino, the cast featured Alexa Kenin (Amy-Joy), Amanda Plummer (Amy-Beth), Andrew McCarthy (Kip), Jill Eikenberry (Jinx), and Larry Bryggman (Hank). The play takes place in the summer on Long Island's South Fork.[3]

Plot

20 year old Kip moves out of his mother's home in the Hamptons, Long Island. His divorced mother, Jinx, is having an affair with Hank. Kip meets 2 young women on the beach—Amy-Beth and Amy-Joy. Amy-Joy insists that sea-monsters are real; Amy Beth has had a nervous breakdown. Both are selfishly preoccupied with their own lives.

Notes and References

  1. O'Connor, John J. "Review/Television; People Obsessed With Themselves" New York Times, April 12, 1989
  2. http://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/title/465866/Life-Under-Water/ Life Under Water
  3. Greenberg, Richard. "Introduction", Life Under Water, Dramatists Play Service Inc, 1985,, p. 3