Is Only When I Laugh violent?

Barely. Less violent than 86% of well-known films. This describes how the film comes across as a whole, measured against other well-known films; it is not a content list.

Is Only When I Laugh sad?

Yes. More sad than 75% of well-known films. This describes how the film comes across as a whole, measured against other well-known films; it is not a content list.

Is Only When I Laugh easy watching?

Somewhat. More comforting than 67% of well-known films. This describes how the film comes across as a whole, measured against other well-known films; it is not a content list.

Is Only When I Laugh scary?

Not especially. Less frightening than 65% of well-known films. This describes how the film comes across as a whole, measured against other well-known films; it is not a content list.

Does Only When I Laugh end with hope?

Somewhat. More hopeful than 65% of well-known films. This describes how the film comes across as a whole, measured against other well-known films; it is not a content list.

Only When I Laugh

Name: Only When I Laugh
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Released: 1981
Duration: 120 min
Rating: 5.7
Cast: Marsha Mason, Kristy McNichol, James Coco, Joan Hackett, David Dukes

It'll make you laugh...'til you cry.

Directed by Glenn Jordan

Produced by Columbia Pictures

1981120 min5.7 / 10

A character-driven comedy-drama about a recovering alcoholic actress navigating sobriety, motherhood, and friendship in 1980s New York, balancing humor with genuine emotional struggle.

A boozy Broadway actress comes out of a 12-week cure to face the problems of her best friends as well as her needy daughter. She tries to balance the terrors of returning to work with the demands of all around her with humor and insight, while staying off the booze.

Clusters

Grief Support Friendships American City Movies Alcohol and Drinking Musical Theatre & Opera Family Relationships

Genres

Comedy Drama

Keywords

New York City Parent Child Relationship Cigarette Alcoholism Socialite Drunkenness Broadway Theatre Mother Daughter Relationship

Questions people ask

Is Only When I Laugh violent? Barely. Less violent than 86% of films.
Is Only When I Laugh sad? Yes. More sad than 75% of films.
Is Only When I Laugh easy watching? Somewhat. More comforting than 67% of films.
Is Only When I Laugh scary? Not especially. Less frightening than 65% of films.
Does Only When I Laugh end with hope? Somewhat. More hopeful than 65% of films.

These describe how the film comes across, measured across the whole film and compared with other well-known films. They are not a content list — nothing here was counted or checked scene by scene, so for age-suitability or specific content use a classification board or a dedicated content-warning service.

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