Play It as It Lays (1972): cast, story & where to watch
1972 · Film · ★ 6.3
Released in 1972, Play It as It Lays is a drama film directed by Frank Perry, running about 99 minutes. “Maria's life was a search for the ultimate answer even after she found there was none.” — that tagline sets the tone.
What it’s about. Burned-out B-movie actress Maria, depressed and frustrated with her loveless marriage to an ambitious film director, Carter Lang, who would rather work on his career than on his relationship with her, numbs herself with drugs and sex with strangers. Only her friendship with a sensitive gay movie producer, B.Z., offers a semblance of solace. But even that relationship proves to be fleeting amidst the empty decadence of Hollywood.
Who’s in it. Play It as It Lays stars Tuesday Weld as Maria Wyeth Lang, Anthony Perkins as B.Z., Adam Roarke as Carter Lang and Tammy Grimes as Helene, among others.
How it landed. With an audience score of 6.3/10, Play It as It Lays has drawn a solid, mixed-to-positive response.
Where to watch. Streaming options change often. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch Play It as It Lays page.
If you liked it. Fans of Play It as It Lays tend to enjoy The Shawshank Redemption, The Godfather, Schindler's List and The Godfather Part II.
Frequently asked
- Where can I watch Play It as It Lays (1972)?
- Streaming, rental and purchase options for Play It as It Lays change frequently. Check our where-to-watch page for the latest availability in your country.
- Is Play It as It Lays worth watching?
- Play It as It Lays holds an audience score of 6.3 out of 10, and is a strong pick if you enjoy drama. Reactions are mixed, so it may depend on taste.
- Who stars in Play It as It Lays?
- Play It as It Lays stars Tuesday Weld, Anthony Perkins, Adam Roarke, Tammy Grimes and Ruth Ford.
- When was Play It as It Lays released?
- Play It as It Lays was released in 1972, with a runtime of about 99 minutes.