Movies of the 80s: 'It's My Turn' Who Was Director Claudia Weill

It's My Turn

Directed by Claudia Weill

Starring Jill Clayburgh and Michael Douglas

Released October 10th, 1980

Claudia Weill is an American film and television director best known for her work on independent films in the late 1970s and early 1980s, as well as her contributions to television directing. She is particularly recognized for her focus on character-driven stories and strong female protagonists.

### Early Career:

Weill began her career in documentary filmmaking, which influenced her style of capturing authentic and intimate moments in narrative film. She co-directed and produced the documentary **"The Other Half of the Sky: A China Memoir"** (1975) with Shirley MacLaine. The film, which documented the experiences of a group of American women visiting China, was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature.

### Breakthrough Film: *Girlfriends* (1978)

Weill's major breakthrough came with the indie film **"Girlfriends"** (1978), which is considered a landmark in feminist cinema. The film follows the life of a young photographer, Susan Weinblatt (played by Melanie Mayron), navigating her career and friendships in New York City after her best friend moves away. The movie was praised for its realistic portrayal of female friendships, independence, and the struggles faced by single women in a big city.

*"Girlfriends"* was critically acclaimed and remains influential, often cited as a precursor to later films and television series about women's lives, such as *Sex and the City* and *Girls*. The film resonated with audiences for its raw and relatable depiction of modern womanhood, and directors like Stanley Kubrick and Greta Gerwig have admired it.

### Transition to Hollywood: *It's My Turn* (1980)

After the success of *Girlfriends*, Claudia Weill directed the romantic comedy-drama **"It's My Turn"** (1980), starring Jill Clayburgh and Michael Douglas. While the film received mixed reviews, it marked Weill’s transition into more mainstream filmmaking. The movie’s themes of female independence and the complexities of relationships were in line with Weill’s interest in portraying women’s experiences on screen.

Critic Joe Baltake had a fascinating take on It's My Turn and director Claudia Weill in his review of It's My Turn in the October 27th edition of the Philadelphia Daily News. Baltake wrote about having a wonderful time meeting director Claudia Weill and interviewing her for a story but then he went on to say that detested her movie and recalls sitting through the movie and wondering "... exactly what is this foolish, tedious movie supposed to be about?" Baltake states that he left his meeting with the director having made friends with Weill and yet still hating the movie that Weill made.

Critic John R. Mier II spent most of his December 1980 review talking about his admiration for Jill Clayburgh's legs. He eventually gets around to not liking the movie.

Legendary film critic Andrew Sarris, on the other hand, was such a huge fan of It's My Turn that he wrote "Clearly one of the best American films of the last year."

### Television Work:

Following her work in film, Weill became a prolific director in television. She has directed episodes for a wide range of popular TV shows, including:

- **"Thirtysomething"**

- **"My So-Called Life"**

- **"Once and Again"**

- **"Chicago Hope"**

- **"The West Wing"**

- **"Girls"** (Lena Dunham, the show's creator, was influenced by Weill’s film *Girlfriends*)

Weill’s television work continued her interest in exploring complex characters, especially women dealing with issues of identity, career, and relationships.

### Style and Legacy:

Claudia Weill is known for her realistic, intimate storytelling and her ability to portray the intricacies of personal relationships, especially from a female perspective. Her work is often seen as trailblazing for independent women filmmakers and has been influential in shaping modern portrayals of women on screen.

Though she didn’t continue with a prolific film career, *Girlfriends* remains a significant achievement in indie cinema, and Weill's work across film and television has had a lasting impact on how women’s stories are told.

It's My Turn was released on October 10th, 1980. The film has a dismal 17 percent critcs rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a 5.4 out of 10 on IMDB.

It's My Turn is available to stream for Free on Tubi.