Up-close moment with Blake Edwards

Mike Bonifer recalls a conversation during the shooting of the less-than-successful "Mickey & Maude." From The Wrap:

Blake and I were sitting on the beach at his estate in Malibu (for which he charged the studio ridiculous location fees. He knew all the tricks.) We were talking about power in Hollywood, and I asked him, how much power do you have?

What do you think? he asked, gesturing up the hill to his house where Julie Andrews was waiting, to the Masereti in the driveway, and five acres of the most exclusive real estate in L.A. I have it all, he said. Guaranteed greenlights, name above the title, final cut, final budget approval, approval over advertising and marketing, final approval on casting ... all of it.

And what has it cost you to get that? I asked him.

My health, he said. Countless hours on the couch. Drug addiction and multiple times in rehab. Ulcers. My first marriage. My peace of mind.

And has it been worth it? I asked.

You know, he said, I ask myself that all the time. And I find, to my horror, that I cannot say yes.