This is My Life (1992)

Nora Ephron’s directorial debut is rather light and cute, fitting well in the rest of her filmography. Julie Kavner is a single mom and aspiring comedian who cashes in a small inheritance to move to Manhattan, eventually finding a bit of success in her desired career to the chagrin of her teenage daughter. Samantha Mathis and Gaby Hoffman elevate fairly stereotypical child roles. Dan Aykroyd and Carrie Fisher add funny bits to the production as comedy agents. It’s good for the film that there isn’t too much time on Kavner’s stand-up act because the bits that are shown aren’t particularly funny.