Bette was at her best...

As well as most profound, in terms of acting range. This was probably her first serious picture besides "The Rose," and "Beaches," but is unfortunately not remembered, nor was it well received.

Her characterization of Dixie really runs the gamut of ribald comedy to complete heartbreak, even in matters of seconds. I really feel that she would have won in a separate year (from Jodie Foster) for the Oscars. I think that this film was not marketed well, thus the lackluster box office rating. This was not an easy film to watch; very depressing, but also highly rewarding as Bette's Dixie is a force to be reckoned with.

I would have liked to have seen George Segal as the lead, rather than James Caan, however. The critics really nailed it with their suggestion of Caan as being miscast, most especially since Segal has a knack for both comedy and drama. This to me was one of the failures of an otherwise decent film.