Malibu (1983 TV Movie) User Reviews

On of my favorite "Guilty Pleasures"

[ijonesiii · 7/10 · 27 November 2005]

MALIBU was a trashy ,all-star cast, potboiler made-for-TV miniseries, originally shown on ABC in 1983 which told the story of young couple (William Atherton, Susan Dey)from the midwest or somewhere, who, because of his job, move to Malibu, California for one fateful summer and the typical California beach bunnies and bozos they encounter while there. Ann Jillian played Gail Hessian, an ambitious TV reporter who wants to get an exclusive interview with a wealthy industrialist (James Coburn, in his usual classy turn)and will do anything, including have an affair with the man, to get her story, despite the fact that he's married (Eva Marie Saint). Kim Novak, still doing the overage sex kitten bit, plays the real estate agent who helps Atherton and Dey find their house and has the dirt on everyone in Malibu. George Hamilton is perfectly cast as a suave, well-tanned con artist. Valerie Perrine plays a wealthy divorcée who has a brief fling with Atherton. Richard Mulligan is heartbreaking as a struggling screenwriter trying to keep his ditzy mistress (Jenilee Harrison) happy while trying to court the attention of a famous producer (Anthony Newley) who he wants to read his latest screenplay. Chad Everett plays a tennis pro who falls for Dey and convinces her that he loves her even though he will never leave his wife (played by the director's wife, Bridget Hanley). Sun,sand, surf, sex, sin, everything you can ask for in a four hour romp on the beach. Nothing new or special here, but the cast is game and if you put your brain in check for four hours, there is fun and entertainment to be had here. It ain't GONE WITH THE WIND, but it's a lot of fun. I even had it on tape for awhile but lent it to a friend and never got it back. I'm still kicking myself.

Maliboo.

[mark.waltz · 3/10 · 13 May 2023]

Cheezy two part TV movie soap opera with far too many characters and not enough decent character development or realistic plotting beyond the typical Barbara Cartland/Danielle Steele/Harold Robbins/Jacqueline Susann sleazy novel, overloaded with nighttime soap trappings that outside the big four of the time lead to a lot of quick cancelations. There's no real structure, just a bunch of vapid people who have homes on the beach, involved in all sorts of sexual intrigue, extremely unhappy even though they can afford to live there. Tons of veteran actors intermingling with lots of forgotten B actors of the day, and while it might have been a nice pay-day for legendary actors like James Coburn, Eva Marie Saint, Kim Novak, George Hamilton and Richard Muligan, it's certainly not a credit they could have been really proud of.

I felt sorry for Susan Dey and Ann Jillian, stuck in hideous matronly hairstyles that looked liked spiked motorcycle helmuts, and really sorry for Jenilee Harrison as a constantly sulking ditz who gets lines like "I'd introduce you two if I remembered your names." Charming but amoral Coburn, a wealthy businessman, is involved in an affair with overly ambitious local reporter Jillian who was earlier kicked out of wife Saint's house for ignoring earlier requests for an intercity regarding Saint's pet charity, while newcomers Dey and William Atherton find themselves thrust into the scandalous amoralities of their neighbors. Real estate agent Novak, as breathy as ever, has an equal number of sexual scandals, while "Lenny"/"Can't Stop the Music" star Valarie Perrine wanders around aimlessly hoping for that one juicy moment.

Characters are introduced, disappear for long periods of time, and even as their mistakes catch up to the major characters, they seem to learn nothing. Steve Forrest, Troy Donahue and Anthony Newley are other actors thrust in with no real purpose. Even at their worst, the popular four nighttime soaps had characters that the viewers either loved or loved to hate. Nothing here comes close to the antics of J. R., Abby, Alexis or Angela, and the whole sordid mess just seems to have been a bunch of plot flash cards thrown into the air, and whosever name they fell near got the plot. If this represents anything close to the real Malibu, it needs a good soaking to get rid of the dirt that leaves a stench from what is presented here.

All Star Mini Series Starring Kim Novak

[Williliwaw · 10/10 · 1 May 2006]

This ABC mini series film collected a lot of well known names set around the plush Malibu community, all the players do fine work with the biggest star being Kim Novak,, but also had Oscar Winners James Coburn and the Eva Marie Saint, and other big marquee names such as Valerie Perrine and Troy Donahue, along with Chad Everett, Susan Dey, William Atherton in this series. While all the stars doe fine work and contribute fine cameos, I thought Kim Novak did the best work in this Film in a rather tricky to play part. Troy Donahue once so big a star at Warners has as slight but intriguing part in this film.

I thought Bill Atherton had a fine future in films. What happened to Bill?

Harrison as Sexy as Ever

[nutty227 · 8/10 · 23 January 2005]

I saw this made-for TV affair around 21 years ago,then a few more times in recent years.I kind of liked it, the breathtaking scenery, the wealthy lifestyles, the tennis whites.James Coburn with his usual grace.Ah,....but the main attraction to this ordeal is the sexy, feminine, barefoot, beautiful Jenilee Harrison.She plays the "Dumb Blonde", and it is not even a large part.But she stole my attention and stole the show.

Most of the characters are sophisticated,well-heeled,and your textbook upper class types of which would reside in a wealthy beach-front area.Harrison to me was just gorgeous, sensual, and the typical "plaything" for an older Sugar Daddy.There are some emotional scenes, and more then a fair of drama, but also subtle bits of humor.Again, this was Jenilee's showcase, even though she was far from the centerpiece in the plot.