An unsuccessful over-the-top actress becomes a successful over-the-top authoress in this biography of Jacqueline Susann, the famed writer of "The Valley of the Dolls" and other trashy novels. Facing a failing career, Susann meets a successful promoter who becomes her husband. After several failures to place her in commercials and a TV quiz show, he hits upon the idea for her to become a writer. In the pre-1960s, her books were looked upon as trash and non-printable. But then the sexual revolution hit and an audience was born for her books. The story shows the hidden behind-the-scenes story of Susann's life, including her autistic son and her continuing bout with cancer which she hid up until her death.
The 'She' in the comedy Isn't She Great is Jacqueline Susann, and the joke is that she isn't.
– Terry Lawson,
Detroit Free Press,
1 Jan 2000
rotten:
Leaves an unintentional unpleasant aftertaste.
– Peter Stack,
San Francisco Chronicle,
1 Jan 2000
rotten:
Isn't She Great is so bland and sentimental, it makes trash seem boring.
– Rene Rodriguez,
Miami Herald,
1 Jan 2000
rotten:
The filmmakers don't know what to make of their overblown subject.
– Steve Murray,
Atlanta Journal-Constitution,
1 Jan 2000
rotten:
The most notable aspect of this trashy (but unenjoyable) biopic of Jacquleine Susann, Valley of the Doll's best-selling author, is its running time (93 minutes); Bette Midler and Nathan Lane give two of their worst and broadest performances.