Stanley & Iris

Directed by Martin Ritt, Stanley & Iris follows Jane Fonda’s Iris and Robert De Niro’s Stanley as they form an unlikely friendship after he saves her from a violent purse snatcher. Filmmaker Ritt, armed with Harriet Frank, Jr. and Irving Ravetch’s screenplay, delivers an exceedingly (and, periodically, excessively) subdued endeavor that benefits substantially from the top-tier efforts of its two stars, as both Fonda and De Niro turn in compelling, absorbing work that goes a long way towards compensating for the movie’s less-than-enthralling stretches. (And it doesn’t hurt, certainly, that the two performers possess a great deal of irresistible chemistry with one another.) The continuing emphasis on less-than-subtle plot points and developments isn’t, as a result, as problematic as one might’ve feared (and anticipated), and there’s little doubt, as well, that the picture’s perpetually watchable vibe is enhanced by its treatment of the working-class community in which its central characters reside (ie it just feels authentic, for the most part). By the time the completely satisfying finale rolls around, Stanley & Iris has cemented its place as a hit-and-miss romantic drama generally operates best as a showcase for its superb lead performances.

**1/2 out of ****