STICKY FINGERS

US, 1988, 89 minutes, Colour.
Helen Slater, Melanie Mayron, Eileen Brennan, Carol Kane, Christopher Guest, Gwen Welles, Stephen McHattie?.
Directed by Caitlin Adams.

Sticky Fingers is a feminine/feminist screwball comedy of the late '80s. It was co-written by its star Melanie Mayron (Girlfriends, 30-Something) and director Caitlin Adams. It has a humorous basis - but often the humour is rather abrasive and raucous rather than subtle and funny.

Melanie Mayron and Helen Slater (Supergirl) are two out-of-work pianists who beg in the park. A former lawyer, now drug supplier, asks them to mind a bag full of money. They can't resist the great American pastime - borrowing the money and shopping. There are some complicated ins and outs with the stolen bag of money - with all ending humorously and well. The supporting cast is particularly strong, with Eileen Brennan and Carol Kane as two sisters in the apartment block, Christopher Guest and Stephen McHattie? as men friends.

1. Entertaining screwball comedy, '80s style? A piece of Americana?

2. The New York settings, the streets, the parks, concert halls, casinos, criminal haunts? The musical score?

3. The title, the reference to the money, borrowing it and spending it? Hattie and Lolly and their behaviour and its repercussions?

4. The friendship between Hattie and Lolly, their different personalities, rooming together, playing together? In the park, donations? Scatty styles? The rent and Stella demanding it? Their friendship with Diane, buying the grass? Minding the bag? The discovery of the money? Trying to handle the situation? The need for using some of the money, the decision to pay it back? Sticky fingers, taking more and more money, the spending spree, the things that they bought, enjoying the experience, transforming their apartment? Presents? The return of Diane, the demand of the money? Their desperation? Going to the casino, winning all the money - and being naive enough to have it all taken again? The performance, the criminals pursuing them, the police? Back home, the stakeout? The attack? Losing the bag of money on the back of the taxi? Their friendship, ups and downs, outings, style, dresses etc? Their falling out, angers, breaking up the apartment? The final attack and shootout, on the fire escape? The reconciliation? The shoulder pads? Playing in the park for money again - and the two elderly ladies who found it walking the park with their fur coats and the bag, their smiles?

5. The portrait of the girls, different personalities? Interactions with Stella and her sister? Lolly's boyfriend, friendship, the complicated relationships? His moving away, the return, her wanting to move in?

6. Stella and her tough style, the accident? Her scatty sister? Becoming involved in the shootout? Diane and her friendship, the marijuana, the money? Her return and the demands? The criminals and their pursuit?

7. Lolly's boyfriend, art and writing, his relationship with her, talking, avoiding issues? His return, her wanting to move in? The bouquet and the note, the reconciliation?

8. The policeman and the stakeout, attracted towards Stella's sister? His letting the girls off?

9. The world of criminals and casinos, toughs and hit men? The contrast with the ordinary people in the city, musicians, jobs, busking and playing in the parks?

10. A humorous New York comedy? Screwball elements? The abrasive touch? Happy ending?