Instant Karma

1990 "Lady Luck doesn't smile on Zane Smith. She laughs."
4.2| 1h34m| PG-13| en
Details

The writer of a bad TV series begins to rethink his life when he meets and falls in love with a beautiful actress.

Director

Producted By

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer

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Reviews

Curapedi I cannot think of one single thing that I would change about this film. The acting is incomparable, the directing deft, and the writing poignantly brilliant.
Sameer Callahan It really made me laugh, but for some moments I was tearing up because I could relate so much.
Bessie Smyth Great story, amazing characters, superb action, enthralling cinematography. Yes, this is something I am glad I spent money on.
Yash Wade Close shines in drama with strong language, adult themes.
Claudio Carvalho In Hollywood, the successful TV screenwriter and producer of the "Rock'n'Roll P.I." show Zane (Craig Sheffer) is an insecure and needy man, unhappy with his mediocre work for television with his partner David (Glenn Hirsch). His fiancée Amy (Annette Sinclair) has left him to live with another woman and he has hypnosis analysis with his psychiatrist Dr. Berlin (Orson Bean). Zane is also having problems with the star of his show, Reno (David Cassidy), who is arrogant, temperamental and drug addicted, and his partner in the show Pop (William Smith) is also upset with Reno. Meanwhile the IRS is auditing Zane's investments. When Zane meets the sexy and gorgeous extra Penelope (Chelsea Noble), he immediately becomes obsessed for her. Zane dates Penelope and soon they fall in love with each other. But his insecurity jeopardizes the relationship."Instant Karma" could be a great film. There is a criticism to the corny Hollywood productions and how a writer needs to change his work to be commercial to satisfy producers. However, the movie is lost between a romantic comedy and a drama. Zane's sessions with Dr. Berlin are pointless and boring. But the worst is Zane, a non- charismatic and even unlikable character. Penelope is totally out of his league and it is hard to believe how she could feel some sort of attraction for such boring man. The racy UK and Brazilian title is ridiculous and gives a wrong idea of the storyline. My vote is six.Title (Brazil): "Quase Uma Virgem" ("Almost a Virgin")
TedMichaelMor The superb Roderick Taylor masterwork "Instant Karma" with grace and subtly explores the vicissitude of fame and fortune in a metaphoric tale about Hollywood. It stars the gifted actress Chelsea Noble, wife of Kirk Cameron, and intelligent actor Craig Sheffer. Bruce Taylor and Dale Rosenbloom provided a restrained script around which Dale's father forms the gentle and amusing film.This work exposes the drabness, mediocrity, and futility of output in much Hollywood production, but without bitterness or meanness. Location shooting in Hollywood itself gives the picture a sense of authenticity. Tom Jewet did the excellent cinematography and Frank Mazzola edited.This is an unfortunately underrated and forgotten work.
william gregory Although this movie is for the most part awful I did enjoy the soundtrack. If anyone knows if the soundtrack is available I'd like to know where it can be found. I've seen better movies but this one struck a cord. Chelsea Noble is absolutely beautiful and Craig Sheffer is a competent actor but there talents were not used to full advantage. Outside of that I liked the movie and I own a copy however I would like to find a copy on DVD and so far I have been unsuccessful in that search.If anyone has that info I would also be thankful. I still watch this movie and will continue to do so however cheesy it may be.I'm not a David Cassidy fan but I liked his character and I liked William Smith as well.
Amy Adler Zane (Craig Sheffer) is an aspiring author who currently writes and produces a hit television show. Unhappy that the show has gone in a different direction than the one he originally created, Zane feels as though he has sold out to commercialism. However, he does like his Mercedes and his nice apartment. One day on the set of the show, Zane meets Penelope (Chelsea Noble), a guest star. Instantly taken with her looks and sweet personality, he pursues her unremittingly. She responds in his favor and a romance ensues. Yet, things go awry with the couple's happiness and with the television show. Will Zane be able to set things right again?This is a lukewarm effort in the realm of romantic comedies. Sheffer and Noble are attractive stars but the mediocre script offers them little help in making their characters memorable. David Cassidy, in a rare movie appearance, is appropriately obnoxious in his role as the star of the television show. The pace is somewhat slow yet the ending is overwhelmingly swift, leaving the viewer unsatisfied. Only the most die hard romantics (this viewer included) will be able to keep watching this film until the credits role. Better efforts in the same category include Fools Rush In and Playing by Heart; stick with those for an evening of enchantment.