Only When I Laugh (1981)

Emerging from the confining shadows of a rehab center, 38-year-old Georgia Hines, a once revered Broadway actress, grapples with the demons of alcohol abuse. The bitter taste of the alcohol she never truly savored was her only solace amid a sea of professional and personal uncertainties. The daunting prospect of life beyond rehab looms large, yet she finds solace in the companionship of her two best friends - the stunningly beautiful Toby Landau and the struggling but spirited gay actor, Jimmy Perrino. The specter of her past lingers in the form of David Lowe, an unsuccessful playwright and her ex-lover who disappeared without a word. Her return to the stage, a journey fraught with challenges and potential pitfalls, also casts a long shadow over her recovery. Yet amidst the chaos, Georgia finds an unexpected ray of hope - her seventeen-year-old daughter, Polly. This determined teenager, who has endured her mother's absence for much of her life, negotiates a deal to live with Georgia during her pivotal senior year of high school. As Polly navigates the treacherous path of adolescence, and Toby and Jimmy wrestle their own insecurities, Georgia finds herself in the paradoxical position of being the pillar of strength. She battles her terrors, balances the demands of those around her, and attempts to inject humor and insight into their lives, all while keeping the haunting specter of alcohol at bay. In this captivating whirlwind of emotions, it's uncertain if her loved ones can provide the support she needs, should she teeter on the brink of relapse. Will Georgia successfully navigate the trials of life outside rehab, or will she succumb to the siren call of the bottle again? Only time will tell in this poignant tale of resilience, love, and second chances.

Only When I Laugh is a comedy movie featuring Marsha Mason and directed by Glenn Jordan.

Only When I Laugh is currently streaming for free (ad-supported) on Tubi TV.

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