by Gary Kramer, Staff Writer

Joan Micklin Silver, who was born on May 24, 1935, passed away on New Year’s Eve last year. I am still in mourning. She did not make many films—of her 20 directorial projects, only seven were theatrical releases. (The rest were TV movies, short films, or an episode of the television series, “Sisters.”) But her impact on me was profound; three of her films—Chilly Scenes of Winter, Between the Lines, and Crossing Delancey—rank among my all-time favorites.

Silver was one of the few female filmmakers working when I started watching film seriously, and her 1979 film, Chilly Scenes of Winter (aka Head Over Heels), played endlessly on cable. I first discovered it at age 12 and watched it countless times. It is not exaggerating to say that his film is responsible for my love of cinema, my career as a film writer, and my obsession with Ann Beattie (author of the source novel). The film prompted me to seek out independent cinema, art films, and little gems. 

This wryly comic and bittersweet romantic drama concerns Charles (John Heard) trying to win back Laura (Mary Beth Hurt), the woman he loves who is married to someone else (Mark Metcalf, who coproduced). There are ace supporting turns by Peter Riegert and Gloria Grahame, and dialogue I continue to quote to this day. 

Chilly Scenes of Winter wasn’t a hit on release. It was distributed under the title Head Over Heads and had an ending that wasn’t quite in the spirit of the source material. When it was recut after its initial release, and re-distributed under the novel's title, it became a cult hit. Almost anyone who has seen the film adores it and I think this is because Silver was able to balance the comedy and heartache in equal measure. Charles has several amusing voiceovers throughout the film, and they play like he is having a conversation with the viewer, providing a cockeyed guide into his world, which is endearing.

Chilly Scenes of Winter made me appreciate smart, funny, and realistic if offbeat character-driven films while everyone else was watching Star Wars and Superman. It prompted me to seek out female filmmakers because there were far too few of them back in the late 1970s. The sensitivity of directors like Silver was refreshing in the blockbuster era. 

I also love Silver's previous film, the charming Between the Lines, which was about the staff of an alternative weekly newspaper. Featuring an incredible cast—John Heard, Lindsay Crouse, Gwen Welles, Bruno Kirby, Jill Eikenberry, Jeff Goldblum, Joe Morton, Marilu Henner, Stephen Collins and Michael J. Pollard, among others—it captures the aftermath of the 60s on the young generation (like Chilly Scenes does). But in this tale of the newspaper being sold to the kind of corporate entity they rally against, Silver blends comedy with activism. The characters have such camaraderie that we root for them as they navigate their personal and professional dilemmas. There is sensitivity in how Silver handles even the most tender moments, as when two lovers in bed, and she lingers on them thinking about their relationship. This show a real care, but she also allows everyone in the ensemble cast a moment to shine. 

Although Silver rose to fame on the success of her debut feature, Hester Street, which nabbed Carol Kane an Oscar nomination, her best film is, arguably Crossing Delancey. The quintessential Jewish New York rom-com, this 1988 feature showcases a luminous Amy Irving as Izzy Grossman, a bookstore clerk who is enamored with the egotist Anton Maes (Jeroen Krabbé), and not the kind mensch and pickle man, Sam Posner (Peter Riegert) that her Bubbie (Reizl Bozyk) found through a matchmaker (a hilarious Sylvia Miles). The film sweetly depicts the head-vs-heart dilemma that Izzy faces in finding someone to love her, but Silver buoys the film with a light touch using upbeat music by The Roches (Suzzy Roche plays one of Izzy’s friends), and provides some shrewd observations about authors, dating, and being Jewish. 

It is a shame that Silver never had the career she deserved, but I am grateful for the films she did make. Silver paved the way for other female filmmakers. Her style was relaxed and that may be why her unpretentious films were so enjoyable. She saw the humor and absurdity in everyday life and captured it on celluloid. She and her films are worth celebrating. So Happy Birthday, Joan!