Heartburn

★ ★ ★ 1/2 (rounded up)
This originally appeared at The Irresponsible Reader as part of a quick takes post to catch up–emphasizing pithiness, not thoroughness.
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A very pregnant cookbook writer/TV host/new mom's marriage crumbles around her, as she attempts to salvage it, protect her children, and make a way for herself in the world. Really, she's trying to do it all, and do it well. (that's a lousy summary, just click the link above, will ya?)

The narrator? This Meryl Streep person? I tell you what, I think she's going places—there's something special about her performance. Seriously, she did a great job, no surprise there.

Nor is it a surprise that Ephron can write a clever little book. I'm a long-time fan, I knew I should've picked this up when it was released. I don't know that it's necessarily deep, or that you walk away with new insight into the human condition, marriage, or love. But it was funny, it felt honest and real, and you get caught up in the life of Rachel Samstat right away. Solidly entertaining.