80s Movie Profile: 'No Small Affair' Starring John Cryer and Demi Moore

No Small Affair (1984) is a romantic comedy-drama film directed by Jerry Schatzberg. The movie stars Jon Cryer as Charles Cummings, a 16-year-old aspiring photographer, and Demi Moore as Laura Victor, a 22-year-old aspiring singer. The film is notable for featuring early roles for several well-known actors, including Jennifer Tilly, Tim Robbins, and Tate Donovan.

Production History and Development

The film faced a troubled development process prior to its release. It originally began production in 1981 under the direction of Martin Ritt, with Matthew Broderick and Sally Field intended for the lead roles. However, production was abruptly shut down after two weeks when Ritt suffered a heart attack. While Mark Rydell was briefly considered as a replacement director, the project was ultimately scrapped at the time.

Producer William Sackheim remained committed to reviving the project. Screenwriters Michael Leeson and Terence Mulcahy were brought in to perform rewrites, with Mulcahy receiving screenplay credit alongside Craig Bolotin, who wrote the original story under the pseudonym Charles Bolt.

In 1984, the film was revived with Jerry Schatzberg taking over as director. Jon Cryer and Ellen Barkin were initially chosen as the leads, but Barkin was replaced by Demi Moore after rehearsals. The production also featured acclaimed cinematographer Vilmos Zsigmond and a musical score by Rupert Holmes, distributed by Columbia Pictures.

Plot Summary

The narrative centers around Charles Cummings, who becomes deeply obsessed with Laura Victor after accidentally capturing her photograph. Utilizing his photography skills and persistent nature, Charles attempts to boost Laura's emerging music career, which ultimately sparks a coming-of-age romance despite their significant age gap.

Release and Performance

The movie was released theatrically in the United States in November 1984. Produced on a budget of approximately $8.5 million, the film grossed roughly $4.9 million to $4.99 million domestically, making it a commercial failure at the box office. Currently, the film is available for streaming on platforms like The Roku Channel.

Critical Reception

Critical reception for No Small Affair was mixed. It maintains a 57% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Critics generally praised the visual presentation of San Francisco and the charm of the lead actors—particularly Jon Cryer's performance—but frequently criticized the storyline as formulaic or bland.

The New York Times described the movie as having a "brittle but definite charm," while David Sterritt of The Christian Science Monitor remarked that Schatzberg prioritized visual appeal over the narrative, resulting in a film that was "friendly but bland".

Today, it is largely remembered, if it is remembered at all, as a pleasant nostalgic piece showcasing the early careers of its main stars.

Legacy

No Small Affair is almost entirely forgotten today. While the cast would go on to huge careers that last to this day, the movie sank into obscurity. The film's failure only temporarily stalled the momentum of both Jon Cryer and Demi Moore as lead performers.

Cryer would bounce back with the help of John Hughes when he created the iconic character of Ducky in Pretty in Pink, just two years after No Small Affair tripped him at his career starting line. But it would be on television in the mid-2010s when Cryer would find his greatest success and biggest professional headaches, opposite Charlie Sheen on Two and a Half Men.

Moore would only have to wait a few months for her fortunes to turn around. St. Elmo's Fire enshrined Moore into the legendary Hollywood 'Brat Pack' and her momentum from that would carry her to superstardom throughout the remains of the 80s into the 80s.

Today, Demi Moore is a beloved and respected veteran, a go-to for auteurs seeking a leading lady give their unique, often unconventional film, a boost of legitimacy. The Substance and I Love Boosters both utilized Moore's mainstream appeal to sell audiences on wild, artistic yet divisive masterpieces.