The performance by Elizabeth Ashley as the alcoholic wife who may throw a monkey wrench into the IMF's plans for her husband's boss is a little gem and an acting lesson in itself. Her drunken enthusiasm for Jim actually wears off on the staid Peter Graves for a few silly lines that sound improvised. But the main display of her talent is the difference between her performance as the wife and her performance as Lisa playing the wife. Lynda Day George is not bad, but Ashley has her beat hollow. Early on, Lisa's left arm is injured. George never gives it another thought. But Ashley does not lose the injury. She doesn't overplay it, but every time she must use the arm a little pain shows. It is especially obvious in the final scene. Ashley-as-Lisa-as-the wife waves rather painfully to a departing car. Immediately after, George removes her "mask" with her left hand without any trouble. Good acting is all in the details, children, all in the details.
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