Bette Midler as Jacqueline Susann and Nathan Lane as Irving Mansfield

Indeed, the movie has its flaws. The plot has a predictable story line. I often found myself trying to recall the titles of movies in which I had watched specific scenes before. Furthermore, the humor often aims no higher than sitcom level and the tear-jerker effect is unabashedly on turbo, from the numerous scenes in which the film's protagonists try desperately to connect with their autistic child to the story's deathbed denouement. Don't eat any popcorn while watching this flick, you just might choke yourself to death.

So why then is the Andrew Bergman-Mike Lobell production so effective? Well, for one thing there are headliners Bette Midler (as Susann) and Nathan Lane (as husband Irving Mansfield). These two may not be bleeding-edge GenX'ers but, nonetheless, they eek quantums of talent. Lane is the perfect foil for the fabulously vain leading lady portrayed by Midler. He's strong but gentle and just kitschy enough to play her perfect bookend.

Stockard Channing as Florence Maybelle

Based on a New Yorker article written by Michael Korda, Isn’t She Great tracks Susann's rise to fame, which kicks into high gear with the release of bestseller Valley of the Dolls. As is typical, the movie unfortunately takes so many liberties with the truth, it verges on the surreal. Did Susann really trek down to Central Park to talk to God? Who knows. Did she do so during this film's adaptation of her life? You betcha she did. And quite often at that.

Nevertheless, the Paul Rudnick screenplay does an excellent job of exploiting the gamut of human emotions. Yes, the movie is touching. We laugh; we cry. I may even jeopardize my standing in the Card-carrying Macho Men's Club for this, but it was truly endearing to watch the devotion and tender nurturing of Susann by husband Irving Mansfield.

As an aside, the scenery, particularly the suite of classic cars rounded up for the shooting, is definitely worth a mention. Just seeing the old sixties Caddies, the beautiful fifties clunkers, et all, is worth the trip to the theater alone.

Midler and Lane are supported in the film by solid performances from Stockard Channing, as best friend Florence Maybelle, and John Cleese, as the over-the-hill hipster, publisher Henry Marcus. Needless to say, however, it's the Midler-Lane duo that is the film's shining star. In fact, I can see Hollywood gearing up to pair the two together again real soon. Can't let a good thing slip away. Like Tracy and Hepburn, Gere and Roberts, Batman and Robin, these two sell theater tickets, for sure.