Among the more inspiring miracles of the modern movie business is the way a producer's first choice for a role always ends up playing that very same part. "It was written with her in mind," one might say (of the blond in her 40s playing the brunet in her 20s). Or, "The picture simply could not have been made without him" (Matthew Modine, perhaps, in "Cutthroat Island"). Blessed are the faithful, for they shall believe the press kit.

Not so her character. Elise Eliot, an Oscar-winning actress, is aging out of starring roles. Her husband, Bill (Victor Garber), whom she molded into a film producer during their long partnership, has taken up with a luscious bimbo (Elizabeth Berkley); Elise finds solace in cosmetic surgery and a bad attitude. She has come here today to reconcile with her old friend Brenda Cushman (Bette Midler), whose husband (Dan Hedaya) has left her for a knockout named Shelly (Sarah Jessica Parker).

He's joking. Of course. "I'm lucky," he says. "The truth is they're terrific. I've told Goldie [Hawn] this, but she's the most professional actress I've ever worked with. [Diane] Keaton's a dream. And Bette--you probably saw her grumbling, 'I can't get this door open,' but then she goes and does it as well as anything. I guess she's got to go through that rigmarole."