CAST: MARY CROSBY, MARLENA GIOVI, DAPHNA KASTNER, LISA RICHARDS, GWEN WELLES AND FRANCES BERGEN AND INTRODUCING NELLY ALARD.

1991 110 Min. Color R

On the occasion of her 40th birthday, Helene (Lisa Richards) has decided to throw herself a birthday party at her home and to invite several of her closest friends. Since one of those friends, Kate (Mary Crosby), has just turned 30, and another, Sadie (Marlena Giovi), is about to turn 50, Helene expands the party to make it a three-way affair, inviting Kate and Sadie's friends to join in the celebration. Also present is Martine (Nelly Alard), a houseguest of Helene's from Paris, who is making a documentary for French television on what she describes as "Southern California Behavior."

As the party progresses - when the cakes are cut and the slices passed around - Martine discovers that not one of the dozens of women gathered there will take a bite. And Helene's mother (Frances Bergen) - and we - start to realize that something much more significant and meaningful than just a birthday party is taking place. For as different as these women are from one another, they all share one thing: The unique and powerful role that food plays in each one of their lives. As one woman puts it: "I'm still looking for a man who can excite me as much as a baked potato!"

"''EATING' IS A PROVOCATIVE TRIBUTE TO WOMEN! FUNNY, PIERCING, TOUCHING AND WONDERFUL, IT IS THE IDEAL MOVIE FOR FRIENDS - OF WHATEVER SEX - TO SHARE"

-LEAH GARCHIK, SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE

"THE FURTIVE MANIA OF MILLIONS IS BEING AIRED AT LAST! WOMEN LEAVING THE THEATRE AFTER SEEING 'EATING' CAN'T STOP TALKING ABOUT IT - OR THEMSELVES!"

-NEWSWEEK MAGAZINE

"HENRY JAGLOM'S 'EATING' IS A MOVIE THAT WILL SAVE LIVES - IT IS THAT IMPORTANT!"

-SUE CAMERON, BEVERLY HILLS (213)

"'EATING' IS A HEARTBREAKING SYMPHONY OF DIALOGUE AND RAW EMOTION - A FUNNY COLLAGE THAT WILL TOUCH A NERVE. HENRY JAGLOM KNOWS SOMETHING THAT'S ON THE MIND OF EVERY WOMAN IN AMERICA!"

-JAMI BERNARD, NEW YORK POST

"'EATING' IS GRIPPING AND ACHINGLY FAMILIAR - THIS KIND OF HONESTY WILL DELIVER EVEN THE MOST CYNICAL INTO A MOMENT OF BLISSFUL RECOGNITION!"

-MANOHLA DARGIS, VILLAGE VOICE

"'EATING' IS AMERICAN INDEPENDENT FILMMAKING AT ITS VERY BEST - HILARIOUS, AUTHENTIC & DISARMING!"

-MICHAEL UPCHURCH, SEATTLE TIMES

"'EATING' IS AN AUDACIOUS STYLISTIC STRATAGEM, A SPECTAULAR STRUCTURAL COUP. IT WORKED FOR ME WHILE I WAS WATCHING IT, AND IT HAS STAYED WITH ME SINCE - A COMPLETELY ABSORBING AND EDIFYING ENTERTAINMENT!"

-ANDREW SARRIS, NEW YORK OBSERVER