It's My Turn (1980)
A Chicago math professor's carefully ordered life unravels when she meets an irresistible ex-baseball player at her father's wedding.
It's My Turn - Movie Information
- Release Year: 1980
- Directed by: Claudia Weill
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Comedy, Romance
- Age Rating (US): R
- Runtime: 1h 31m
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- Release Date (Theatrical): October 24, 1980 (United States - R)
- Production Companies: Columbia Pictures
- Production Countries: United States of America
It's My Turn - Plot
A successful but stressed mathematics professor goes to her father's wedding and falls in love with her father's bride's son, a prematurely retired pro baseball player. She must choose between him and her current boyfriend, between Chicago and New York, and between research and administration.
It's My Turn - Trailer
Watch the official trailer and see what awaits in this 1980 romantic comedy:
Just when she thought she had everything right... in stepped Mr. Wrong.
Where to Watch It's My Turn
Looking for where to watch It's My Turn?
Compare all viewing options available in your region on JustWatch ↗
It's My Turn - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Claudia Weill
Main Cast
- Jill Clayburgh
- Michael Douglas
- Charles Grodin
- Beverly Garland
- Steven Hill
- Teresa Baxter
- Joan Copeland
- John Gabriel
- Charles Kimbrough
- Roger Robinson
Writers
- Eleanor Bergstein
Producers
- Martin Elfand
It's My Turn - FAQs
What is It's My Turn about?
It's My Turn follows Dr. Kate Gunzinger, a Chicago mathematics professor juggling career pressures and a comfortable relationship. When she attends her father's wedding, she meets Ben Lewin, a charming retired baseball player — and suddenly everything she thought she had figured out is up for grabs. It's a warm, witty look at love, ambition, and second chances.
Does It's My Turn have a happy ending?
The film ends on a quietly ambiguous note that was considered bold for a mainstream romantic comedy of its era. Kate makes a choice that prioritizes her own independence and self-determination over a tidy romantic resolution, which divided audiences but gave the film a distinctly feminist edge that still resonates today.
Where can you stream It's My Turn?
You can watch It's My Turn for free with ads on The Roku Channel and Tubi TV. If you'd prefer to rent or buy, it's available on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, and Fandango At Home.
Who are the main actors in It's My Turn?
The film stars Jill Clayburgh as the driven math professor Kate and Michael Douglas as Ben, the charismatic ex-baseball player who turns her world upside down. Charles Grodin rounds out the central love triangle as Kate's steady Chicago boyfriend Homer, with strong supporting work from Beverly Garland and Steven Hill.
Is It's My Turn based on a true story?
No, It's My Turn is an original screenplay written by Eleanor Bergstein, who later went on to write Dirty Dancing. While the film draws on relatable real-life tensions between career ambition and romantic desire, the story of Kate and Ben is entirely fictional.
Who directed It's My Turn and what is notable about that?
Claudia Weill directed the film, making her one of the relatively few women to helm a major Hollywood studio release in 1980. Weill had previously earned critical praise for her indie film Girlfriends (1978), and her sensitive, character-driven approach gives It's My Turn a distinctly personal and feminist sensibility.
How was It's My Turn received by critics?
Critical reception was mixed. Many reviewers praised Jill Clayburgh's nuanced performance and the film's willingness to resist romantic-comedy conventions, while others felt the story meandered. Over time, the film has gained appreciation as a thoughtful, ahead-of-its-time portrait of a woman navigating professional and personal crossroads.
What is the famous math scene in It's My Turn?
One of the film's most talked-about moments is an early classroom scene in which Jill Clayburgh's character delivers a complete, correct proof of the Snake Lemma from abstract algebra. It's a rare instance of genuine, uncompromised mathematics on screen, and it became a beloved detail among math enthusiasts and cinephiles alike.
More About It's My Turn
Explore further details about It's My Turn on these trusted resources: