MovieChat Forums > Moment by Moment (1978) Discussion > why Lily Tomlin?

why Lily Tomlin?

posted 14 years ago by warlok1
7 replies | jump to latest

I can understand trying to get John Travolta as a romantic lead -- he already has Saturday Night Fever and Grease under his belt and was a certifies sex symbol for the ladies....but Lily Tomlin? even back in the 70's she wasn't considered 'attractive' as much as 'goofy' -- I can imagine there were a number of actresses in their 30's and 40's in the 70's that could have pulled off the whole 'older woman' thing (aka what we call 'Cougars' today) much better. Raquel Welch might be tops in my list, maybe Lee Merriweather, Brenda Vaccaro, Karen Black, etc.

[–] jrs-8 14 years ago

Simple - writer/director Jane Wagner was and still is Tomlin's longtime partner and business manager.

[–] MyMovieTVRomance 13 years ago

Well, you can take Raquel! I'll take Tomlin! I can't imagine anyone else in this movie! I think she did well in the film, and I adore her! Plus, as another poster has already pointed out, John Travolta loved Lily as-well, and they obviously had at-least a little real chemistry together, if this quote by Lily is any indication: "[on John Travolta] Maybe the major thing is how sensual he is. And sexy too. The sensitivity and the sexuality are very strong. It's as if he had every dichotomy -- masculinity, femininity, refinement, crudity. You see him, you fall in love a little bit."

I am so glad this movie was made, and that Lily and John are together in it! I really relate to the characters in the story. Their situation touched me as only a movie with people I love could do.

Crushing on 1980s Lily Tomlin. That smile! That figure! That voice! I'm in-love!

[–] yandoblu 13 years ago

Ruth Buzzy and JoAnne Worley were not available, since they
had other projects.

[–] my_big_dream 12 years ago

Lily Tomlin was brilliant in this tasty little treat.
She's not Marilyn Monroe but she is Lily Tomlin and she's fantastic.

[–] golden_muse 12 years ago

Lily was the perfect choice for the character, both in the book and the film, as she was a real woman in a real situation. How many ladies look at Raquel Welch and say, "Yeah I relate to her--she's a real and relatable woman!"? The book and film were about an ordinary woman who finds an extraordinary love.

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[–] MyMovieTVRomance 9 years ago

Lily was the perfect choice for the character, both in the book and the film,

There was a book? Really?

Please excuse typos/funny wording; I use speech-recognition that doesn't always recognize!

[–] grinderVegan765 8 years ago

People who haven't walked straight off the catwalk have sexuality as well.

if you don't like onions, you're not welcome!