This movie is a real gem. There were no mistakes in background with
clothes, cars, architecture, school report card, radio, etc. all in keeping
with 1933. Of course the plot and acting are superb. In some ways, the
family/social problems of The Great Depression parallel The Great
Recession (2009) of today.
It's nice to see a movie without explosions or car chases although
that car running downhill was thrilling enough.
Such a superb film, with beautiful direction by Steve Soderbergh and a standout performance by Jesse Bradford. There was no phony sentiment or cliches emotions in this film, and though I didn't grow up in this era, I feel I understand it better thanks to this movie.
This is quality filmmaking that, sadly, few people seem to have an interest in these days.
I'm enjoying this film for about the third time. Spalding Gray is wonderful. I still miss him
Served with the style of a real neurotic
the easy style of a true psychotic
J C Clarke
Spalding's wonderful here, as is the whole cast. Whatever torment he was going through in his life -- and I understand it was tremendous -- it certainly didn't show in his performances. Usually these types of films are sappy and maudlin, but Soderbergh makes it compelling and relevant.
(C_J: I still intend to watch that clip you posted on the "Freebie" board; been busy the past few days. Give Pappas a biscuit for me.)
I believe for anyone who's suffered bouts of depression, suicide attemps or frequent thoughts of suicide.. it does show. It's a bleak shadow. Spalding carried a shadow with him. It followed him.. The black spirit, the grim reaper, whatever you care to refer to it as.
I always seen it. I'm a bit on that strange razor's edgy side, WP. I hope you're not. It's a difficult place to endure life.
yes, I love this movie. I was watching it yesterday morning and came in here to see what others thought of it and found a post from you. So, naturally I had ring your bell! Seems we eventually end up on the same boards all the time.
Yes, that Deadhead Miles segment's only a few minutes long. It's my favorite scene along side the other favorite scene of Loretta Swit as the French hooker with the glass eye who bets Arkin's character a buck that she can look at him through the bottom of her whiskey glass without first emptying what's in her glass. He wearily and warily says "Sure, why not! He slaps down his buck and she, with two fingers, opens her eye wide, allowing her eyeball to drop out right into her whiskey. Plop! She then picks up her glass, turns it to where the cornia is pointing directly Arkin (who's amused and watching intently) and victoriously proclaims: "See" She pockets the cash and he shakes his head and smiles and then walks off.
Patricia Neal died. What an actress! What an Actress.. One of the Last of the breed..
Served with the style of a real neurotic
the easy style of a true psychotic
J C Clarke
agree.
🌴🌴🌴🌴🌴🌴🌴🌴🌴
I first saw it in the theater in London when I was studying abroad. The powerful story and my homesickness combined to make me cry through the entire thing. Criminal that it's not on DVD. Hopefully one will be released with some good extras from Soderbergh and an interview with A.E. Hotchner, who's memoir it is based on.
shareVery well put! I consider it to be the best film I saw in 1993 and one of the ten best I saw in that decade. Besides everything you've said, I especially enjoy seeing people in it who in years later became pretty well known; actors Adrian Brody and Katherine Heigl and singer Lauryn Hill ( loved her deadpan style ). I've been a Karen Allen fan for thirty years. In fact, the second time I went to see it in '93 I sat next to her in-laws. They knew she was in the film, but didn't know what part she played. I told them they were in for a very special treat and they agreed with me when it was over. I still feel terrible about the demise of the talented Spalding Gray. I think it's a travesty that this film is hasn't been released on dvd. If you enjoyed this film so much, please do check out 1986's ' Desert Bloom ', with Anabeth Gish and Jon Voight. Totally disregard the IMDB rating. It's ridiculously low. It may be the best performance I've ever seen Voight give. Another gem of a film and it is available on dvd.
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