Based on the largely autobiographical novel by Carrie Fisher, Postcards from the Edge gets most of its charge from having two legendary actresses essentially play two other legendary actresses. Meryl Streep is the Fisher surrogate, while Shirley MacLaine steps in for Debbie Reynolds, and both do a wonderful job of capturing their characters'/actresses' eccentricities.
The movie itself is a bit looser in its story and structure than you might expect, but I mostly see this as a positive. While it generally lacks the bite that comes with material surrounding fame and addiction, and you get the feeling that we're barely scratching the surface of these individuals, the lighter and somewhat detached tone makes for an easy, likeable watch. And it gives the leads a unique relationship. These two might make up, but you could easily see them falling into the same exact traps all over again, which gives both characters some honest and agreeable complexities.
Even if you're not into the drama, though, this one's still worth watching for the sharp writing, the murderers' row of a supporting cast, and the showstopping finale, where Streep performs the hell out of "I'm Checking Out".
Grade: B+