I'm Dancing as Fast as I Can

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Nov 18, 2014 This film's star turns are JC & GP - and Nicol Williamson - as a film, unfortunately, it becomes a necessary fast forward through the book - read the book. See more Jun 8, 2011 TV producer Barbara Gordon finds out you can't quit Benzodiazepiness cold turkey. See more Mar 28, 2010 Good performance by Clayburgh makes this a decent movie. See more Mar 7, 2010 I like this film, it made me feel quite sane See more Apr 28, 2009 I'm Dancing as Fast as I Can (dir. Jack Hofsiss, 1982) At times, unintentionally hilarious while at some points, deeply and profoundly sick, I'm Dancing as Fast as I Can takes a fairly conventional Lifetime movie plot of "drugs are bad" and stretches it into a full-length feature, sacrificing several fine actors in the process. Among those in the field of carnage are Geraldine Page who manages what she can with a somewhat compelling dying poetess, the subject of the main character documentary maker's current piece and a young Dianne Wiest who almost seems to be acting in a different film as her psychiatrist in a mental ward later on in the film. Jill Clayburgh turns in an uneven, showboaty portrayal which, at the time, she must've thought would earn her an Academy Award nomination (her flapping and flailing on the beach during a seizure was a particular high point). Barbara Gordon has few layers and Clayburgh's performance doesn't manange to fill in the gaps in the script when it comes to answering the questions of who this woman is and why she has descended into madness. And it's based on a true story! And it's based on a true story! A 1979 autobiography, to be precise. It's not like there was no available research on what drove this woman to a life of drug addiction. It's the creepy (perhaps, accidentally vile) performance of Scottish actor Nichol Williamson as Clayburgh's alcoholic, manipulative and psychotic boyfriend at the black heart of this spectacle. He decides that his girlfriend's withdrawal from Valium is the perfect time to began beating the shit out of her in addition to keeping her imprisoned in her own home. Truly some of the most disturbing scenes of domestic violence I've ever encountered on film. Only for the strongest of constitutions. See more Dec 30, 2008 Producer Barbara Gordon's horrifying experience with Valium withdrawal. See more Read all reviews

I'm Dancing as Fast as I Can

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