Amazon.com essential video

Kathy Bates stars as an unhappy wife trying to get her husband's attention in this amusing and moving 1991 screen adaptation of Fannie Flagg's novel Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe. After befriending a lonely old woman (Jessica Tandy), Bates hears the story of a lifelong friendship between two other women (Mary Stuary Masterson and Mary-Louise Parker, seen in flashback) who once ran a cafe in town against many personal odds. The tale inspires Bates to take further command over her life, and there director Jon Avnet (Up Close and Personal), in his first feature, has fun with the film. Bates develops a real attitude toward her thickheaded spouse at home and some uppity girls in a parking lot, but dignity is generally the key to Avnet's approach with the story's crucial relationships. Tandy is a joy and clearly loves the element of mystery attached to her character, and Masterson and Parker are excellent in the historical sequences. --Tom Keogh ... Read more

Reviews (88)

Fried Green Tomatoes
Reviewed Date: October 2003
Studio: Universal Studios
Genre: Drama
Exposure: Color
Running Time: 130 Minutes
Rating: PG-13
Release Year: 1991
Directed By: Jon Aunet

Starring: Kathy Bates, Mary Stuart Masterson, Mary-Louise Parker, and Jessica Tandy.

Co-Starring: Gailard Sartain, Stan Shaw, Cicely Tyson, Gary Basaraba, Grace Zabriskie, Richard Riehle, Grayson Fricke, Lashondra Phillips, Enjolik Oree, Nick Searcy, and Ginny Parker.

If you want to see a good movie for the whole family, "Fried Green Tomatoes" is the movie for you. It shows friendship, compassion, humor, laughter, and real life encounters.

The setting takes place in the late 1980's and takes you back in time a half century to the town of Whistle Stop, Alabama.

"Fried Green Tomatoes" is a movie for anyone. It can make the best of us laugh and cry through the entire movie. "Fried Green Tomatoes" is a movie that gives you two different stories within itself. One story takes you back to the 1930's. The other part of the story takes place in the 1980's between Ninny Threadgooda, telling the story of her past to help her new friend Evelyn get her life together.

The frienships made within the movie show that this woman do hold their friendships in very high regards. The friendship in the 1930's would help both women to get through some really tough times. The friendship in the 1980's between Ninny and Evelyn keep these two ladies on track.

I give this movie 5 stars because it is a movie for anyone. Also because it shows how good friends will help a loved one in need of there help at a drop of a hat. This movie is just a well rounded movie, filled with emotion.

Better than Steel Magnolias
Fried Green Tomatoes is two stories in one ---- depressed housewife Kathy Bates befriends an elderly woman (Jessica Tandy) who tells her the story of two best friends (Mary Stuart Masterson and Mary-Louise Parker) who ran a cafe in the 1930s. The tale of the friends depicts domestic violence, pregnancy, childbirth, and two accidents involving trains. But the courage and spirit that the women have, as told by Tandy to Bates, encourages Bates to stop being a victim in her own life, particularly to her all right but insensitive husband.

The movie does a great job of showing the trials and tribulations of being a woman but how female friendship can conquer all. It is even more riveting to see it set in a time when women -- particularly unmarried women of dubious sexuality --- have to overcome obstacles set by society in general and its views of what a woman's role is. TOWANDA!!!!!

fried green tomatoes, food for the soul
I have seen this movie probably 20 times in my life and I have to say it is definetly a personal favorite in my collection. This movie touches on so many emotions that it will have you angry, sad, touched, uplifted, empowered and roaring with laughter. This movie is told to a fed-up repressed housewife (kathy bates) by a sweet ,lonely ,vivacious old woman (ninny) during visits to a nursing home after a chance meeting. The intertwined story is about Idgy a Tom-boy who distances herself with the world due to a tragedy at a young age. As Idgy ages the only person she is close with is her "hired hand" Big George and his mother Sipsy. Idgy's mother becomes concerned with Idgy and decides to have Ruth ( a girl from idgy's past) come and stay with them to try to reach Idgy. At first Idgy is stand offish but soon they become best friends that is, until Ruth leaves because she marries. I dont' want to "spoil" the rest of the story so I'll leave that alone for the time being. As Ninny tells Mrs. Couch (kathy bates) they become close friends and Mrs. Couch begins to become empowered by the strong women in the stories and making some changes in her own life. It touches on tough topics such as racism, spousal abuse, death, tragedy, loneliness, fear of death, and fear of life for some. This dvd is a must watch and own for your dvd collection.

Great Southern Storytelling on the Screen
I'm always surprised how badly great storytelling makes it to the screen. Particularly, great Southern stories, which tend to make it to the big screen replete with caricatures and stereotypes. I recall, with particular sadness, the movie adaptation of Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil. While this adaptation to the screen of Flagg's tremendously moving novel does have its share of simple, stereotypical southern "archetypes", these are largely drawn from Flagg's book, and are largely essential to the story. It is, without a doubt, one of the most enjoyable movies I have ever seen and, ten years after first seeing it, it still brings raucous laughter and tears to my eyes. It's the classic "story within the story", and begins with the introduction of a tenacious elderly widow to a repressed younger southern housewife in a nursing home in rural Alabama. What starts off to the housewife as polite and indulgent small talk of past acquaintances with a likely senile elderly woman turns rapidly into an engrossing story with what must be the best "hook line" in storytelling ("Why anybody would have thought she killed that man is beyond me!"). This story then becomes a parable which the housewife uses to change her life for the better.

While certainly a moral parable of the greater value systems of past times, and of loyalty and courage in the face of bigotry and oppression, the story never loses its infectious humor, despite some genuinely tragic events. The lesbian theme of the book is only mildly hinted at, and one would almost overlook it were one not to deliberately search for it. Some of the more brutal aspects of the book are retained, with the rampant racism and wife-abuse still harrowingly reflected, if toned down. Consequently, younger viewers may best appreciate the film in the company of an adult. Regardless, this is one of the best "feeling good" movies I have ever seen, and being a Southerner from an area very near that depicted in the book, makes me pine for the South in profound ways. It's a film about empowerment and, more importantly, the empowerment one gains through friends, and through standing up for one's friends, and through an unshakable belief in self-respect.

No little credit for the success of the film goes to the incredibly strong performances of Masterson as the tom-boyish Idgie Threadgood, and Marie Louise-Parker as Ruth Jamison, along with the underrated performance of Stan Shaw, one of TV's great character actors, as Big George. However, the film's strongest performances come from three grande dames of the screen (and stage): Cicely Tyson, as Sissy, Jessica Tandy, as Ninny Threadgood, and Kathy Bates, as Evelyn Couch. While Tandy and Bates have received their due, Tyson's performance, as always, is often overlooked.

To Wander!!!!
A story of friendship and love, and how they can both intertwin. Mary Stuart Masterson (Somekind of wonderful) and Mary louise-Parker (Boy's on the side) Displaying fabulous performance's along with Jessica Tandy (Driving miss Daisy) and Cathy Bates (Misery). The whole story surrounding a relationship that can not be defined. My Favourite film ever! However i think some people are wrong with one aspect surrounding Ninny and Idgie. That they are one and the same! Best Quote- " Face it girl's.... I'm older and have more insurance"
A film for any Mary Stuart masterson Fan. ... Read more

Reviews (28)

My favorite childhood movie - and it has a message!
I first saw this movie in theaters when it came out, which would make me nine or ten at the time. I loved the movie then. The environmental message made sense to me, and it really got its point across even to a young kid, though I didn't understand consciously that Batty had be a subject of animal experimentation (now I'm an 18 year old animal rights activist, so maybe it registered on some level though).

But a great message alone isn't enough to make a movie. It's got all the classic elements necessary for a kids movie. A great villian - Hexx is scary, unique, and voiced to perfection by Tim Curry, two strong protagonists for guys and girls in Zak and Crysta, a mythical past and setting, fun comic relief - Robin Willians is terrific as Batty, and plenty of great songs.

It's different enough from your typical Disney movie to be great, but similar enough that kids will love it. Plus, it will be something they've never seen before and it will send many important messages (about taking care of the environment, believing in yourself, and how you can make a difference) that every kid should hear. I definatly believe this is the best children's movie ever made.

Very beautiful, gentle nature story
Well, I'll just be brief with this one.
Synopsis:Zach, a 15-20 year old city boy comes to work for a deforestation company in the rainforest. A fairy, Chrysta, falls upon him by chance and to save his life, she attempts to give him fairy SIGHT, but ends up giving him fairy SIZE. Once Zack begins to explore the beautiful world of Fern Gully, he sees a side to nature that must be preserved. All of this is threatened though by Hexxus, an evil spirit that feeds on pollution.
Cons: A very overly pretty boy characters...but that's not always bad. An almost irritatingly naive female character, a shrinking violet a lot of times. Magic that unfortunately doesn't exist.
Pros: A good story to get across without being boring, dreary, or scary although a lot of people said that Hexxus terrified them. Batty Koda! Robin Williams plays the character of the brain scrambled bat very well and adds humor to the movie. Very sweet little movie to teach children about the destruction of the rainforest.
Overall: It's quite worth buying. A very charming movie for all ages, Fern Gully will help people to see another side to the rainforest while, not exactly realistic, is very lovable and lively. Enjoyable.

Spectacular beyond words!!
(...)Lovely animation, wonderful message, lovable characters....it has everything! It deals with the most important issue plaguing our planet to this day. It shows that living things deserve to be left alone, and that humans should stop interfearing (sp?). When I remembered this movie from years and years ago, I knew this had to be where my passion for animals and nature originated. This is a deeply moving and empathetic movie; the fairies can feel a tree's pain. It's seriously the best movie on the face of the earth to me. It's absolutely brilliant, spectacular, inspiring, powerful, uplifting, etc. I'm passing it on to my children and their children, without a doubt!

Message to everyone: Speak out for things that can't speak for themselves. Go vegetarian, adopt needy animals from shelters.....any little bit helps. We have alternatives to meat and paper and pencils.....why don't we use them and save a couple trees and animals? We need to have more sympathy and respect for the suffering of innocent lives who never did anything to deserve what they go through.

Long live tree-huggers!

(...)

Surprisingly Good
This is one of my favorite animated movies. Obviously this movie is one big enviornmental awarness message but so is about 90% of all movies. Although this movie features a very well told story, the best feature is the beautiful animation. Showcases early use of CGI effects that are used today. This movie does have musical numbers but they are good musical numbers. And of course, who could forget Robin Williams as the crazy bat. Recomended to anyone.

Important Lessons Sometimes Come in Small Packages
I absolutely adore this movie. It presents a delightful mix of humor and poignant symbolism. Perhaps if more children watched movies like this they would grow into enviromentally conscious adults. The characters are as loveable as they are educational. If I could, I'd buy a copy of this movie for all the children I know. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

One of the Better B Terror Films
I saw this when first released at the theater. It was a great terror movie. The tension runs throughout the movie as a group tries to escape a planet that prays upon their fears. One scene with a giant caterpillar and a scantilly clad lady was rather erotic. A good movie for fans of movies like Hellraiser and Phantasm. Erin Moran even does a decent job of acting.

Forbidden Planet meets Event Horizon
This is a strange little film. The poster art shows a scantily-clad woman being menaced by monsters. This is not really accurate. This is a psychological terror as opposed to a more overt monster film.

Things are ruled by The Master, a red-glowing figure. He hand picks a rescue team to journey to a distant planet. There they find little to rescue. For some reason they blow up the bodies they find. But soon they are targets of things that appear and disappear from all sensors.

For much of the movie the characters explore a huge alien pyramid where they each have to come face to face with their worst fears. I particularly liked the warrior who had a breakdown because his crystal throwing stars broke.

In the end we learn more about The Master, who he is, how he became The Master, and what he has been up to with this mission.

There are monsters. There is gore. There is even a little suspense. There is an impressive cast (Ray Walston, Erin Moran, Robert Englund, Zalman King). But somehow it just doesn't really come together as well as it should have. To many of the fears involved monsters even though Erin Moran's character was claustrophobic. Fans of bad movies will want to watch this one at least once.

Alien rip-off!
This movie is an obvious rip-off of ALIEN. However , unlike alien, it just does not measure up. The acting and dialogue are absolutely horrendous and The soundtrack has a cheesy 70s sci-fi style. The special effects are pretty good (considering...) and they resemble ALIEN very closely (the corridors, the planet's surface.....). Unfortunately this film just does not draw you in and it makes you lose interest in it fairly quickly. Overall: MEDIOCRE.

Galaxy of Terror might be cheesy but it's fun LOL
Well what can I say ? this was made in 1981 .... it features Erin Moran ( Joanie from Happy days ) and it also has Rober englund playing a small part . the ONLY reason to see this movie is ONE) to see Erin Moran get constricted until she pops ( and I mean POP! ) and for the massive amounts of Blood and gore ...... and the movie was also somewhat prophetic in that Robert Englund has to fight himself , and the evil self looks like none other than FREDDIE!!!!!! then there's the fact that MR. Titanic Terminator James Cameron is the executive Prod. for this flick ( if you doubt me get it and watch the Credits . SO .... if you're looking for a brainless but fun Horror flick ... this is it .... but if you're looking for an artsy space "Film" ..... keep going . ... Read more

Amazon.com

David Lynch's 1990 Wild at Heart is an utterly random and ugly experience with pockets of startling imagery and inspired set pieces. Based on a Barry Gifford novel, the film stars Nicolas Cage and Laura Dern as lovers on the lam whose relationship is tested and who meet some truly dangerous wackos (including an almost-simian Willem Dafoe). Lynch's thoughts seem to be everywhere, and he expects the audience to keep up with a story that seems more a collection of avant-garde whims than a coherent vision with the intuitive brilliance of his Blue Velvet. Cage gives one of his more chaotic performances, but then he was just reading Lynch's signposts. --Tom Keogh ... Read more

Reviews (68)

if you're truly wild at heart, then you must .....
i first saw this film in theatres back in 1990 and i couldn't get the film outta my head. at that time, i knew very little about david lynch or his unique style. needless to say, i fell heart and soul for this maniac film and knew i would probably want to watch it over and over. nicolas cage gives perhaps his best performance prior to the wonderful leaving las vegas and i still think this film was very overlooked by everyone with the exception of true lynch fans. while this is probably his easiest film to date that the mainstream cinema could DIGEST, wild at heart is still very much avantguard as it is excessive in the language, violence, and sex departments. what makes this film so digestible is the ironic humor which surrounds the plot like a second skin. while still not a film for everyone, there is much to like about this david lynch treat. i particularly love the scene where nicolas cage is visited by the good which played by then unknown sheryl lee who advises him that the wild at heart must follow their dreams. shouldn't we all follow our dreams no matter how crazy or chaotic things may be?

Dear Tom Keogh,
Wild at Heart is, indeed, a film with some startling images. Any David Lynch fan will tell you that you should expect no less from him. In this film, Lynch is showing a subtle form of humor, he is referencing the Wizard of Oz (I'll not dare say "remake," he is rewriting it in his own fashion), and he is creating film as art in his typical fashion. You see, you actually have to pay attention to Lynch's movies in order to fully understand them. You likely have to watch them more than once to get his points. That's all part of the fun. If you bother to pay attention to the details of the movie, then you will understand that his thoughts are not all over the place at all, but are telling you a story, in Lynchian fashion. He doesn't take you by the little hand and lead you through a smarmy Hollywood film about life and love then whisk you off to a nice, rosy conclusion with a sunset and cutesy music. Don't expect the point to Wild at Heart to come easily. If that is what you want, may I suggest "Dumb and Dumber." David Lynch combines film with art and Wild at Heart is no exception. If you want a movie to present a simple story line and to conclude with a pretty red bow, then skip this one. But if you want to watch an outstanding David Lynch movie, then Wild at Heart will not disappoint. This is a fantastic movie.

PLEASE RELEASE IT ON DVD!!
David Lynch's Wild At Heart is a masterpiece, it won Palme D'Or at Cannes Film Festival for Best Picture. It has an outstanding cast, featuring Nicolas Cage, Laura Dern, Isabela Rosselini, Sheryl Lee,
Diane Ladd, Harry Dean Stanton, Willem Dafoe and so many other great actors! Why wasn't yet released on DVD in North America? Everywhere else in the world was. David Lynch is one of the best American directors and "Wild At Heart" is one of his masterpieces.
My favorite line from this film is: CENSORED.

Film of the Future
Lynch uses cinema the way it should be used. It's a naturally surreal medium, something only Lynch has truly understood, ever since Salvador Dali made Un Chien Andalou, all those years ago. Wild at Heart is totally coherent, as many reviewers have realised, even if only partly and subconsciously. All I would like to know is this: is the American South really the raw and mindless hell on earth that it seems to be in almost every film I've seen located there?

David Lynch's violent adaptation of the Wizard of Oz
Wild at Heart is David Lynch's violent adaptation of the Wizard of Oz with mesmerizing cinematography, which offers an exceptionally artistic cinema experience. Many scenes are visually packed as they offer much to ponder since they are often surrealistic or full of symbolism. The symbolism and surreal environment enhance the fantastic adventure into love, passion, and righteousness that Lynch provides for his audience. The tale begins with Sailor (Nicolas Cage) who was sent to jail for manslaughter as he killed a man in self-defense that was sent by his girlfriends neurotic mother. Released on probation Sailor is free and loving as he can reunite with his girlfriend Lula (Laura Dern) despite Lula's mothers opposition to their relationship. Lula's defiance upsets her mother who hires another hitman to slay Sailor. However, Lula and Sailor decide to take off to California and break Sailor's probation by following the yellow line on the road to the promise land. ... Read more

Amazon.com

An atmospheric and sexy crime caper, this stars Dennis Quaid as a New Orleans police detective. He's a smooth talker who butts heads with the new assistant district attorney, Ellen Barkin. She's rigid and plays by the rules; he is mildly corrupt. They soon find themselves romantically entwined, and a bit chagrined.

Director Jim McBride (Great Balls of Fire) was in top form with this 1987 sizzler. You may not remember the particulars of the plot, which concerns supposed gang killings and police corruption, because it is the romance that has staying power. Blame this on Quaid and Barkin, who send off enough sparks to light up Bourbon Street. They are not only sexy together, but endearing, which makes you want to like them as much as they like each other. --Rochelle O'Gorman ... Read more

Reviews (18)

Sexy, funny, exciting--and moral!
It is a shame this movie wasn't a bigger hit--largely because it deprived moviegoers of more cinematic pairings of Dennis Quaid and Ellen Barkin, a couple whose on-screen chemistry approached that of William Powell and Myrna Loy. The sex scenes here are truly steamy, yet used as much to establish character and advance the story as to titillate the audience. Quaid portrays a casually corrupt homicide cop on the New Orleans PD who is forced to rethink his life when (a) Barkin, a DA he's seriously attracted to, refuses to have anything to do with him, and (b) he discovers that the corruption in the department vastly exceeds anything he ever imagined. The movie may be "Show Me the Money" at the beginning, but at the end, it's "Show Me the Remorse." The plot of a man reformed by the love of a good woman lost popularity as the 20th century progressed, but Quaid, Barkin and director Jim McBride deserve credit for updating it in a fresh, surprising and sexy way.

Quaid Makes Barkin His "Big Easy".
The talented and handsome Dennis Quaid plays his finest role to date, as New Orleans detective Remy McSwain. He's more than a sexy swine, he's on the take too. This doesn't make him a bad guy, after all, his "daddy" and "grandaddy" did the same when they were "on the job". The Big Question, does this make him a "Bad Cop"? Enter Ellen Barkin, as Assistant DA Anne Osborne, smart, yet naive enough to fall for McSwain's all too obvious charms. Since she has come to town to investigate police corruption, namely his and his close associates, her innate weakness for Quaid's temptingly sexy McSwain, will lead to hard choices. Will her heart, or her reputation on the job rule? Watch this film and see................... No matter how many times I've seen this film, I find it tremendously entertaining. Jim McBride squeezed some of the best performances of all time from the two leads. I was amazed when I read that Barkin and Quaid didn't harmonize well off screen, because their love scene is one of the most convincing I've ever seen in film. Remy McSwain is unforgettably irresistible during his barechested seduction of "unlucky in love" Anne Osborne. He literally lets her hair down (always in a bun), while touching and kissing her in the most tender and sensual way, then tells her; "Well cherie, your luck's about to change..." Indeed! ................ This film has a wonderful musical score from Brad Feidel, I love the opening theme, and purchased the soundtrack for it. Also, the terrific New Orleans atmosphere adds depth and authenticity to the story. I've been to New Orleans, the French Quarter and Bourbon Street myself, if you haven't, this will give you an excellent vicarious feel of it. In particular, the scene where Quaid has to sleep on the couch while Barkin is in his bed during a typical summer night thunderstorm, music droning from the street, is a gem................. Aside from the steamy romance, atmosphere, and score, the plot hooks you as well. The script is sharp, witty, and peppered with colorful local lingo. "The Big Easy", is a fast paced police action thriller, but with a semi-noir feel that is unique. The story moves along interestingly throughout, is easy to follow, and builds into a terrific and satisfying resolution. What more can you ask for? ............... Like subsequent police thrillers that have spicy sexual undercurrents, particularly Mike Figgis' "Internal Affairs" (see my review) or Paul Verhoeven's "Basic Instinct", this film is one to watch with the one you love. However, the aforementioned love scene between Quaid and Barkin, may cause you to come back and watch the rest later. Whatever you do, don't let this unique and sexy adventure pass Bayou.

Modern Noir, with a twist of Romantic Comedy
Dennis Quaid plays a not-so-straight cop, and Ellen Barkin an assistant district attorney suspicious of him being involved in police corruption. Forget about the murder-mystery. The core appeal is the sexy interplay between Quaid and Barkin, who are perfect in their respective roles. The Southern setting adds color and sound to the romance. The character development is implicit and natural, and entertaining. This should have been Dennis Quaid's breakthrough movie. As leading man, he was on par with Tom Cruise or Tom Hanks. What happened to him in the 90's?

intro to zydeco
the soundtrack from the big easy is very easy to love. It has atmosphere, emotion and makes you want to jump out of your seat!

Why can't I find a man who will call ME "chère"?
This is the perfect couple's movie. Guys will like the police action (chases, gunfire) and the mystery driving the plot. Women may like those elements too, but they'll surely be hot and bothered by Dennis Quaid's Remy McSwain, singing to Ellen Barkin's Anne Osborne and dancing sweetly with her even though she's "got a mad on". When she confesses that she's never had much luck with sex and he assures her that her luck's about to change...well, what woman's heart doesn't melt? Watch it with the one you love, then turn on some Cajun music and create your own steam heat. ... Read more

Amazon.com essential video

This 1992 drama written by Neal Jimenez and codirected by him and Michael Steinberg (the two worked together on the underrated Bodies, Rest, and Motion) stars Eric Stoltz as a successful novelist who becomes paraplegic following a hiking accident. Jimenez, who personally lives with the same condition, gives us an insider's point-of-view on the first terrible days, weeks, and months of adjusting to paralysis, and its effect upon relationships, work, and sex. But the film is also about other kinds of unexpected turns in a life, in this case Stoltz's immersion in an instant community of fellow paraplegics, as well as his reevaluation of an affair with a married editor (Helen Hunt). Stoltz is in great company: besides Hunt's thoughtful, sensual presence, the cast includes Wesley Snipes as another patient, Elizabeth Peña as a sympathetic nurse, and William Forsythe (Palookaville, Raising Arizona) in an outstanding performance that encourages one to reconsider his often one-dimensional career. Despite the bleak subject, The Waterdance is an enormously entertaining and often funny movie that keeps a lid on pity and explores the rediscovery of life, self-respect, and honesty following a disaster. --Tom Keogh ... Read more

Reviews (11)

Great story, very romantic, but man some depressing.
The acting was first rate, no complaints, especially William Forsythe's character. This was a very powerful movie about coming to grips with a life-altering accident, then learning to adjust and carry on. The movie is compared to "One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest" which it does resemble in some ways. Eric Stoltze is very good in the lead role. Helen Hunt is her beautiful self and exceptionally revealing in this movie, she is awesome!!! She is unbelievably gorgeous!!! Do not deny this movie, cause you could be missing something. Although extremely depressing at times, the ending will satisfy. A must see!!!

A life affirming movie worthy of Frank Capra!
If you have ever felt sorry for yourself, this movie will open your eyes to just how good you have it. The exploration of life's worth and how quickly we can lose sight of it is what this movie is all about. The ensemble cast of Hunt, Stoltz, Snipes, and, especially, William Forsythe, will bring you into a world of people you may never meet in real life, but perhaps you should. A must-see.

wow
i watched this finnally after my mom said it was good. i loved it. where were you all my life?

Realistic story and tremendous ensemble acting
This film never received the attention it deserved, although this is one of the finest pieces of ensemble acting, and one of the most realistic stories I have seen on screen. Clearly filmed on a small budget in a real V.A. Hospital, the center of the story is Joel, very well-played by Eric Stoltz. Joel has been paralyzed in a motorcycle accident, and comes to the hospital to a ward with other men who have spinal injuries. Joel is in love with Anna, his married lover, played by Helen Hunt, who shows early signs of her later Academy-Award winning work.

Although the Joel-Anna relationship is the basic focus, there are many other well-developed characters in the ward. Wesley Snipes does a tremendous job as the angry Raymond. Even more impressive is William Forsythe as the bitter and racist Bloss. I think Forsythe's two best scenes are when he becomes frustrated and angry at the square dancers, and, later, when he feels empathy for a young Korean man who has been shot in a liquor store hold up. My favorite scene with Snipes is the in the roundtable discussion of post-injury sexual options.

The chemistry between Stoltz and Hunt is very strong, and they have two very intimate, but not gratuitous, sex scenes. The orgasm in the ward is both sexy and amusing. There is also another memorable scene where Joel and Bloss and the Korean boy take the specially-equipped van to the strip bar. It's truly a comedy of errors as they make their feeble attempts to get the van going to see the "naked ladies."

The story is made even more poignant by the fact that the director, Neal Jimenez, is paralyzed in real life. This is basically his story. This film is real, not glossy or flashy. To have the amount of talent in a film of such a small budget is amazing. I recommend this film to everyone I see, because it is one of those films that even improves on a second look. It's a shame that such a great piece of work gets overlooked, but through video, perhaps it can get the attention it so richly deserves.

Helen Hunt is Fabulous!
The scene with Helen Hunt and Eric Stoltz at the motel made the movie for me. It was a bit brief but worth the price of the movie! ... Read more

Amazon.com essential video

Kathy Bates stars as an unhappy wife trying to get her husband's attention in this amusing and moving 1991 screen adaptation of Fannie Flagg's novel Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe. After befriending a lonely old woman (Jessica Tandy), Bates hears the story of a lifelong friendship between two other women (Mary Stuary Masterson and Mary-Louise Parker, seen in flashback) who once ran a cafe in town against many personal odds. The tale inspires Bates to take further command over her life, and there director Jon Avnet (Up Close and Personal), in his first feature, has fun with the film. Bates develops a real attitude toward her thickheaded spouse at home and some uppity girls in a parking lot, but dignity is generally the key to Avnet's approach with the story's crucial relationships. Tandy is a joy and clearly loves the element of mystery attached to her character, and Masterson and Parker are excellent in the historical sequences. --Tom Keogh ... Read more

Reviews (88)

Fried Green Tomatoes
Reviewed Date: October 2003
Studio: Universal Studios
Genre: Drama
Exposure: Color
Running Time: 130 Minutes
Rating: PG-13
Release Year: 1991
Directed By: Jon Aunet

Starring: Kathy Bates, Mary Stuart Masterson, Mary-Louise Parker, and Jessica Tandy.

Co-Starring: Gailard Sartain, Stan Shaw, Cicely Tyson, Gary Basaraba, Grace Zabriskie, Richard Riehle, Grayson Fricke, Lashondra Phillips, Enjolik Oree, Nick Searcy, and Ginny Parker.

If you want to see a good movie for the whole family, "Fried Green Tomatoes" is the movie for you. It shows friendship, compassion, humor, laughter, and real life encounters.

The setting takes place in the late 1980's and takes you back in time a half century to the town of Whistle Stop, Alabama.

"Fried Green Tomatoes" is a movie for anyone. It can make the best of us laugh and cry through the entire movie. "Fried Green Tomatoes" is a movie that gives you two different stories within itself. One story takes you back to the 1930's. The other part of the story takes place in the 1980's between Ninny Threadgooda, telling the story of her past to help her new friend Evelyn get her life together.

The frienships made within the movie show that this woman do hold their friendships in very high regards. The friendship in the 1930's would help both women to get through some really tough times. The friendship in the 1980's between Ninny and Evelyn keep these two ladies on track.

I give this movie 5 stars because it is a movie for anyone. Also because it shows how good friends will help a loved one in need of there help at a drop of a hat. This movie is just a well rounded movie, filled with emotion.

Better than Steel Magnolias
Fried Green Tomatoes is two stories in one ---- depressed housewife Kathy Bates befriends an elderly woman (Jessica Tandy) who tells her the story of two best friends (Mary Stuart Masterson and Mary-Louise Parker) who ran a cafe in the 1930s. The tale of the friends depicts domestic violence, pregnancy, childbirth, and two accidents involving trains. But the courage and spirit that the women have, as told by Tandy to Bates, encourages Bates to stop being a victim in her own life, particularly to her all right but insensitive husband.

The movie does a great job of showing the trials and tribulations of being a woman but how female friendship can conquer all. It is even more riveting to see it set in a time when women -- particularly unmarried women of dubious sexuality --- have to overcome obstacles set by society in general and its views of what a woman's role is. TOWANDA!!!!!

fried green tomatoes, food for the soul
I have seen this movie probably 20 times in my life and I have to say it is definetly a personal favorite in my collection. This movie touches on so many emotions that it will have you angry, sad, touched, uplifted, empowered and roaring with laughter. This movie is told to a fed-up repressed housewife (kathy bates) by a sweet ,lonely ,vivacious old woman (ninny) during visits to a nursing home after a chance meeting. The intertwined story is about Idgy a Tom-boy who distances herself with the world due to a tragedy at a young age. As Idgy ages the only person she is close with is her "hired hand" Big George and his mother Sipsy. Idgy's mother becomes concerned with Idgy and decides to have Ruth ( a girl from idgy's past) come and stay with them to try to reach Idgy. At first Idgy is stand offish but soon they become best friends that is, until Ruth leaves because she marries. I dont' want to "spoil" the rest of the story so I'll leave that alone for the time being. As Ninny tells Mrs. Couch (kathy bates) they become close friends and Mrs. Couch begins to become empowered by the strong women in the stories and making some changes in her own life. It touches on tough topics such as racism, spousal abuse, death, tragedy, loneliness, fear of death, and fear of life for some. This dvd is a must watch and own for your dvd collection.

Great Southern Storytelling on the Screen
I'm always surprised how badly great storytelling makes it to the screen. Particularly, great Southern stories, which tend to make it to the big screen replete with caricatures and stereotypes. I recall, with particular sadness, the movie adaptation of Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil. While this adaptation to the screen of Flagg's tremendously moving novel does have its share of simple, stereotypical southern "archetypes", these are largely drawn from Flagg's book, and are largely essential to the story. It is, without a doubt, one of the most enjoyable movies I have ever seen and, ten years after first seeing it, it still brings raucous laughter and tears to my eyes. It's the classic "story within the story", and begins with the introduction of a tenacious elderly widow to a repressed younger southern housewife in a nursing home in rural Alabama. What starts off to the housewife as polite and indulgent small talk of past acquaintances with a likely senile elderly woman turns rapidly into an engrossing story with what must be the best "hook line" in storytelling ("Why anybody would have thought she killed that man is beyond me!"). This story then becomes a parable which the housewife uses to change her life for the better.

While certainly a moral parable of the greater value systems of past times, and of loyalty and courage in the face of bigotry and oppression, the story never loses its infectious humor, despite some genuinely tragic events. The lesbian theme of the book is only mildly hinted at, and one would almost overlook it were one not to deliberately search for it. Some of the more brutal aspects of the book are retained, with the rampant racism and wife-abuse still harrowingly reflected, if toned down. Consequently, younger viewers may best appreciate the film in the company of an adult. Regardless, this is one of the best "feeling good" movies I have ever seen, and being a Southerner from an area very near that depicted in the book, makes me pine for the South in profound ways. It's a film about empowerment and, more importantly, the empowerment one gains through friends, and through standing up for one's friends, and through an unshakable belief in self-respect.

No little credit for the success of the film goes to the incredibly strong performances of Masterson as the tom-boyish Idgie Threadgood, and Marie Louise-Parker as Ruth Jamison, along with the underrated performance of Stan Shaw, one of TV's great character actors, as Big George. However, the film's strongest performances come from three grande dames of the screen (and stage): Cicely Tyson, as Sissy, Jessica Tandy, as Ninny Threadgood, and Kathy Bates, as Evelyn Couch. While Tandy and Bates have received their due, Tyson's performance, as always, is often overlooked.

To Wander!!!!
A story of friendship and love, and how they can both intertwin. Mary Stuart Masterson (Somekind of wonderful) and Mary louise-Parker (Boy's on the side) Displaying fabulous performance's along with Jessica Tandy (Driving miss Daisy) and Cathy Bates (Misery). The whole story surrounding a relationship that can not be defined. My Favourite film ever! However i think some people are wrong with one aspect surrounding Ninny and Idgie. That they are one and the same! Best Quote- " Face it girl's.... I'm older and have more insurance"
A film for any Mary Stuart masterson Fan. ... Read more

Reviews (58)

Flea recites Shakespeare. What more do you need to know?
Well-dressed "indie" hack Gus Van Sant (who's about as indie as Evan Dando) received lots of kudos for this pretty-boys-in-ripped-jeans, "loose adaptation" of "Henry IV, part 1". If this is a loose adaptation of Henry, then "The Rainmaker" is a loose adaptation of "Bleak House". This sometimes decent-looking piece of fluff is so desperate to live up to its "loose adaptation" hype, it actually (painfully) inserts some actual dialogue from the play into the middle of the movie. OK, yeah...get it. Thanks.

River Phoenix is actually quite good & handles the vague, sappy story of boy-hooker-with-a-heart-of-gold with class & subtlety. His task is a thankless one: he plays a character who honks on bobo, hangs out with danceclass reject thugs, and has the occassional grand mal seizure on the highway. That and he's looking for Mama. Sure, but that's always the issue, isn't it?

What's his name? Keanu Reeves gives his usual Frank Gifford-on-thorazine performance. He plays a rich kid who hustles to get back at his family. Reeves is uniformly awful throughout. The interaction between Reeves and Pheonix is like watching two popular college guys go to their favorite hole-in-the-wall bar in the seedy section of town and attempt to "fit in". Meanwhile, they try to pay the tab with a VISA Platinum.

The shame of the movie is that what looks like might turn out to be a dark, intriguing portrait of a troubled twentysomething (nothing earthshattering, there, I grant you) winds up being a J. Crew travelogue that desperately wants to be (1) literary and (2) a cult film. Unless your name is Ed Wood, you can't just effortlessly toss off cult films. Even Wood had to wear fake breasts and fondle a cashmere sweater.

In truth, this would be a really good film student project if it were fifteen minutes long and in a language I couldn't understand. As it is, Van Sant doesn't have near the talent or original vision (see Psycho, the rape of) to pull off a formless character study or a literary cult film. Two stars because of Reeves, the first ten minutes and it's not based on a Tom Robbins novel.

Reality check...
This movie shocked me at first, but I soon realized that Gus Van Sant and the actors, especially Phoenix strove to present us with a picture and a reality we often don't see or don't choose to see. Welcome to the world of male hustlers. I didn't expect to be taken on a date in the first few minutes, and I was sad to learn how a person can give over their body for a 20$ bill. I was impressed and touched by River Phoenix's preparation for this character. His effort paid off beautifully! I understand through reading some of the biographical books about him; he always threw himself into every character. It is said that in preparation of the film, he spent a great deal of time with one particular hustler, a young man, whom he portrays. In addition, he lost an incredible amount of weight to look the part. Mike Waters is a young man looking for something. From highways to gay bars and back again, he searches for his mother, an ethereal character from his dreams, nightmares, and semi-wakefulness from his bouts of narcolepsy. The fits of instant sleep provided some comical moments, yet I enjoyed it because I was finding out what gave Mike stress. He was also looking for love from a man, and not from turning tricks. The actors often reffered to having sex with another person, for free, which gave you wings. The extent to which Mike and other actors will go to search and strive after a goal is unbelievable: From the high plains to the sea-board cities to France, they wandered from place to place looking for Mike's Mom. There is a conflict between Mike and his older brother, who is more a part of Mike life than he realizes. I was inspired by the courage of the characters to show the depth of comittment that a young man will go through to discover truth, no matter how difficult.

I highly recommend this movie to become aware of what happens all around us. We can love others better when remove the labels and love them regardless of where they came from. As a pastor and reviewer, I benefited greatly to seeing a brand new perspective of life and it helped in my work to aid people I know in these situations. It made me wonder - in this season of Christmas why our homes are not open to rejected teens. Loving and intimate relationships are free to give. Mike and his companion had a intense relationship of companionship which didn't revolve around sex That should inspire us to think how we treat the people around us.

"My Own Private Idaho" (just one more)
I forgot one more story, related to what I wrote, already. As if you'll print this, but maybe.
When "Sweet November" came out, I realized it was a remake of the 60s film, only it starred Keanu Reeves and Charlize Theron, this time. I'd seen the original, with Sandy Dennis and Anthony Newley, back in the 70s, when it was on TV late one night, with Susie, my ex-girlfriend I wrote about earlier--the one who gasped, when I called her from the hospital and told her I think I'm an alcoholic. We'd loved that movie--and the "irony" there is that her birthday is November 17th, and that date features prominently in the new movie. It's also set in San Francisco, and I live just north of there, at Muir Beach. What an "irony." Sometimes, when I see "coincidences" in movies his friends and family make and my own life, I now think this was maybe River trying to tell me something from the Great Beyond.
When I wrote Susie of this "irony," after yet another hiatus in our relationship--she is fundamentalist Christian and has right-wing beliefs, when no one I know on purpose does, anymore, really--she ignored me. So bye-bye, Susie, and maybe that is for the best, since she wasn't in sobriety, even though we smoked and drank and took drugs, though she didn't favor that last.
I have related stories--such as when I saw Summer, River's youngest sister, in "Wasted," for the first time. I like this movie, though I can do without the sex scenes. And she can't relate it to River's OD, though it's about heroin addiction and is dedicated, in part, to those who lost their lives due to this disease.
I will go to sleep, now. I had no idea I'd write so much, and it's late. I have a bit of a head cold, but I thought I'd write you, since you sell me a bunch of River Phoenix things, suddenly, and you might want to know why, incidentally.(...)

Weird and wonderful...Keanu Reeves can actually act??
Being fairly new to the world of 'art-house' movies, i first found this a little confusing, and i was concerned that this strange approach would hinder the emotional impact of the film, rendering it yet another overly stylish, powerless and incomprehensible piece of modern film-art. I had also heard that it was extremely shocking and controversial. However, i began to understand Gus Van Sant's language, and it soon seemed completely natural. The claims regarding its explicit sexual nature have been, fankly, grossly exaggerated and probably the result of mild homophobia. The camp fire scene is the most memorable, with River Phoenix's perfomance as Mike, subtle and shining as usual, bringing to mind the very similar camp-fire scene in "Stand by me". Having only seen Keanu Reeves appear in such films as 'Speed' and 'the Matrix', in which he hardly demonstrates any power or skill as an actor, it came as somewhat of a pleasant surprise to see his humorous and striking portrayal of Scott. A sensitive choice of music contributed to the mood, both in the comic, nostalgic steel-string guitar to the gentle folk song that plays as Mike vows through tears to find his mother (by the way, does anybody know what that song is or how to find out?). I was slightly disappointed and depressed by the ending, which is extremely inconclusive, but i suppose movies don't always need a conclusive ending to make them good. Overall a visually stylish, emotionally powerful movie, with some fantastic acting by River Phoenix and Keanu Reeves.

wierd, different, and sad
I did not know exactly to expect when watching this movie but I am a big fan of River Phoenix so I decided to give it a shot. I watched about the first third or so of it and found myself thinking I can't believe I rented this, with the exception of a few scenes that I thought were pretty funny, but when the campfire scene happened I became more involved with the film. I started to see Mike more as a person searching for love and his mother instead of just a male prostitute that fell asleep a lot. I thought River's acting was brilliant. Everything I have seen him in so far is so believable to me. For example, when he sees Scott and his new girlfriend kissing at the dinner table he blows smoke at them, out of obvious jealousy, and he can't sleep when he hears them making love in the next room. I think he was excellent in picking up people's mannerisms and the little things that people do. I ended up being so mad at Scott in the end and was saddened in how it seemed that Mike would live that life until his death. The role of Mike was played perfectly in that it seemed that he didn't even like being a prostitute, evident by his fits of sleep during most of those situations, but he was just trying to get by and find love. The believable acting, mostly by River, and the sadness and emotional vulnerability of the second 2 thirds or so of the film more than make up for the beginning. I hope to look deeper into people's lives and less likely to judge others, something that I must admit needing a little more help in. It really saddens me that there are people right now as I'm typing this review living lives similar to this one feeling like the "road never ends" for them. God bless them and everyone else. ... Read more

Reviews (8)

Odd Twists in an Adventure Story
I purchased this video due to Adrian Paul's presence in the cast. Paul is one of my favorite actors and, in my opinion, one of the most attractive men on the screen today. This 1997 outing is definitely not for kids -- there is a great deal of violence. I won't give away plot points, but I did find some of the scenarios highly improbable. I would recommend this as a novelty to any fan of Adrian Paul, but that's about as far as it goes.

Great movie!
Lots of fun, lots of action. The title doesn't make much sense, but if you like military action stuff, you'll like this movie!

attention all Biehn fans
Ok, so I'm a Biehn fan. His talents were totally wasted on this movie. Only die-hard Adrian Paul and Biehn fans will appreciate this movie, and that's just because so few of their movies make it to meaningful/wide release. I'm a feminist, too, but the plot of a practically entirely female platoon behind enemy lines to disarm a No. Koren nuclear facility is too much.

Excellent
Hi, I Liked this movie very much it is a must for all Adrian Paul fans it is a great action flick.

Entertaining, but could have been better.
I liked this movie, don't get me wrong. I love Adrian Paul, I recommend that you check out anything you can get your hands on if he's in it. Unfortunately, he hasn't been in much of anything except for Highlander: The series and a few other failed TV shows. The dialogue is ok, the action is pretty good, there are a few slow spots and I can't understand why anyone would cast Kathleen York. Michael Beihn is great, as is Adrian Paul. ... Read more

Reviews (152)

Ignorance is bliss
...Anyone who has done the least bit of research will know that David Lynch has final cut of everything he does. He chose to cut the movie down from its original inception. Please know that this is a fantastic movie, and the DVD IS Lynch-approved. As for the commentary and deleted scenes, Lynch has stated many times that he will NEVER do commentary, and does not agree whole-heartedly with including deleted scenes. He also refuses to use chapter stops (this is good). If you need someone to hold your hand while you watch this movie, and explain how to think for yourself, then I propose you find a different film to watch.

Goodbye Cherry Pie
Remember Laura Palmer? She's the one who was into sex, drugs and..., ended up killed by..., wrapped in plastic, and then it all began. Well here is the oft-times lurid, unsettling and sometimes plain scary film about Laura. This is not the eccentric drama/comedy we know as "Twin Peaks:TV series, and it's not for the fair weather Peaks fans. David Lynch lets us know that this is the flip side right at the opening credits when the violent destruction of a television is followed by a bloodcurdling scream. No wonder they hated it! I love it, and thanks to NewLine who in conjunction with none other than the maestro himself have produced a gorgeous digital transfer of this essential work. Forget the deleted scenes fiasco..with this quality sound and picture, and a good price, this is a no brainer for true Twin Peaks fans. I docked a star because the only substantial extra, the "documentary" is quite a disappointment. If you have absorbed the series and permit the Lynchian universe to enfold you, "Fire Walk with Me" will reveal itself as a coherent,disturbing and beautiful adventure. Great performances by Sheryl Lee and Ray Wise, but the real star is the director who gave us something that we never expected, and it gets better at each viewing.Wow Bob Wow!!

The Reason this movie wasn't as good is becuz.....
In the David Lynch "motion pictures" collection, there are 8 films that have been made since 1978. "Eraserhead," "Elephant Man," "Dune," "Blue Velvet," "Wild at Heart," "Fire Walk With Me," "Lost Highway," and his latest, "Straight Story." The four best are Eraserhead, Fire Walk With Me, Blue Velvet and Lost Highway.

David Lynch's vision of "FIRE WALK WITH ME," is not bad because he wanted it to be. The original fire walk with me movie is romoured to be over 3 and a half hours long. There is PROMISED to be a FIRE WALK WITH ME DVD coming out soon. It should be out later this spring with all the cuts that werent originally in the TWIN PEAKS movie. Please.... dont be disappointed with the original though, it is a good movie. You should try this movie, I THINK, before you watch, rent or buy the TWIN PEAKS TV series.

thanks

garmonbozia, all right.
See, this movie is yet another intentional turkey in the David Lynch stinkography. When will you people believe me when I tell you the man simply likes to make bad movies?!? The picture comes off as a demented episode of Northern Exposure with the plot-wiring torn out and the character development up on blocks. Throw in the obligatory sinister midget and sundry unemployed freaks and... Weee're in business! Oh, wait... we need something for the characters to do... well, they can all just take turns going insane, can't they? Problem solved! David Lynch is a modern freak show operator. The freak show has never gone away. It has just been billed as something else.

Prequel sets the stage for series pilot
Shot after the series was cancelled because there was a demand overseas for more "Twin Peaks" material, "Fire Walk with Me" gives us a glimpse of what occurred just prior to Laura Palmer's murder in the pilot. While it spells out some things only hinted at in the pilot and is a bit more literal than the series, "Fire Walk with Me" also has the benefit of being a theatrical film and, as such, we get to dig deeper into the underbelly of the town.

The first thirty minutes of the film are devoted to a murder similar to Palmer's that occurs in another town. A pair of FBI agents are sent in to investigate (Chris Issak and Keifer Sutherland). When they run into resistence from the local law enforcement, they're forced to flex their FBI muscles a bit. While investigating a clue in a trailer park, one of the agents vanishes. Agent Cooper (MacLachlan)is called in to find the missing agent.

Far more surreal than the series with a number of high profile cameos (David Bowie, Harry Dean Stanton), this is a bit more bizarre as well when compared to the series (and even the pilot). The DVD is chapter encoded (unlike the frustrating "Mulholland Drive"), has an original documentary that's shot in a style like Lynch might have used with the original cast (save Piper Laurie, Michael Ontkean, Jack Nance and a couple of other cast members)about the impact of the show.

It's an excellent companion piece of the pilot (available as of now only as a region 0 DVD from Taiwan)and the series (available as a boxed set for the first season only with, reportedly, the second season coming next year some time). Picture quality is exceptionally good with the sound particularly outstanding in its use of 5.1.

A solid cast with a good script that meanders a bit, "Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me" plays better than parts of the first season but isn't quite as strong as both the pilot and first 8 episodes of the series. It's still worthwhile for fans of the show. ... Read more

Amazon.com

This controversial, 1984 made-for-television movie gave Farrah Fawcett her first true showcase as an actress. Playing an abused wife who kills her monstrous husband (Paul Le Mat), Fawcett demonstrates a facility with the moral ambiguities of the story, which concerns the painful but fascinating questions of where justice lies. Fine support from Richard Masur and Grace Zabriskie, and the assured direction is by Robert Greenwald (Xanadu. --Tom Keogh ... Read more

Reviews (18)

Farrah can act? Who knew...
This movie is historically significant since it was one of the first movies to portray domestic violence in a realistic fasion; where situations often turn into a "kill or be killed" scenarios.
It is also one the few films (few? I think the only film) where you can actually see Farrah, "I'm now as loony as a bedbug", Fawcett display her acting abilities. In fact, the whole cast does a pretty good job.
The Burning Bed is actually one of the few "men bad, women good" movies that tries to be honest in its portrayals of people in abusive relationships.

This movie will open your eyes.
In health class, I watched the Burning Bed to learn about spouse abuse. I learned so much with this touching story and I've never been a big fan of Farrah Fawcett until now. Her acting was incredibly moving and I give her a lot of respect to take on this tough role. Go see this movie and it really makes you think about this abuse and the many other women who still experience it.

Farrah's Best!
If Farrah didn't receive an award for this movie, she was seriously robbed! She must have researched the subject of wife abuse thoroughly right down to the humiliation seen on her face and the sheer terror that whatever she said could possible cause yet another smack. Superb acting!

Good,but it was the usual "men bad,women good "movie
This movie was good,but it was the usual,run-of-the-mill "men bad,women good" movie.Like "Enough",the acting was good,but the storyline was just another "abusive husband" thing...

GREAT~~~~
This movie was GREAT. The book was alot Better then the movie was.~~~ ... Read more

Amazon.com essential video

Richard Gere plays an enrollee at a Naval officers candidate school, and Debra Winger is the woman who wants him. That's pretty much it, story-wise, in this romantic drama, which is more effective in a moment-to-moment, scene-by-scene way, where the two stars and Oscar-winner Louis Gossett Jr.--as Gere's tough-as-nails drill instructor--are fun to watch. Sexy, syrupy, with occasional pitches of high drama (Gere having a near-breakdown during training is pretty strong), An Officer and a Gentleman proves to be a no-brainer date movie. --Tom Keogh ... Read more

Reviews (36)

Magnificent Story and Wisdom Gleaned
I love movies as this. Movies that teach valuable life lessons (even if they are cheesy). Richard Gere acts as if he is the consummate low-life-user-loser (not as low however as his father, played as if it was natural for him by Robert Loggia), until he experiences numerous maturation lessons in the serious game we call life.

What makes this movie (and all similarly toned movies for that matter), cheesy is they distill the melodramatic moments of life in the span of a few hours of a movie.

Louis Gossett, Jr. won an Academy Award for a one of a kind portrayal of the disciplinarian drill instructor who falters at times dealing with "Mayonnaise". Brilliant acting on Mr. Gossetts part.

Taylor Hackford does a magnificent job of drawing out the inherent skills of all players, Debra Winger, David Keith, Lisa Blount, Lisa Eilbacher et al, directing them to convey to the audience the writers intent. Magnificent story and wisdom gleaned from a movie.

Richard Gere has arrived
Self centered hustler Zack Mayo (Richard Gere) enlists in an officer's training school where he quickly meets his match in Sergeant Foley (Lou Gossett, Jr.), who warns him of all the "Puget Sound debs", girls who come across the ferry every weekend to try to land (or trap) themselves a future naval aviator. But Mayo manages to shake off his selfishness and he learns to love-not only deb Paula Pokrifki (Debra Winger), but his new best friend Sid Worley (David Keith). What follows is a love story that is timeless and rewarding. A great stay at home date movie. Look for young David Caruso and Lisa Eilbacher.

A crowd-pleaser!
This 1982 romantic classic is a perfect remedy for Valentine's Day. This movie not only pleases the woman you love, but it's only enjoyable for the guys, too. I'm a man, so there I admit I liked the film. I'm not too keen on romantic movies, but if the story is about a man who trying "to be all he can be" and trying to get the girl, that's my ticket home.

This "chick flick" has a young Richard Gere playing a self seeking, ill-bred nobody who enlists in the Navy training corps under a strict and disciplined drill instructor(Louis Gossett, Jr. who gives a Oscar winning performance) who teaches him the fine line of courage, friendship and compassion toward his fellow man. And of course his hard work pays off by wooing the lovely Debra Winger where both of indulge into tendor passion.

This movie is oozing of sexiness and the commanding performances by Gere and Winger are all worth while. The film has enticing moments of drama, which are perceptive to the viewer. The timeless song UP WHERE WE BELONG may be kinda fruity to listen for a guy, but hey admit it! Some of you sing it in the shower I bet!

Anyway, AN OFFICER AND A GENTLEMEN should be a perfect gift or viwing on Valentine's Day.

Hate to admit it, but I liked the movie
I never really thought to watch this movie because it was considered to be "sappy" but watching it on cable, one can appreciate the romance portrayed in this movie. Gere plays a naval cadet training to be an officer who meets a factory woman played by Deborah Winger. His character is unemotional although he is love with the girl. His friend, however, is opposite of him. He was willing to love the woman who was Winger's friend in the movie, but she made it clear that love was the least thing she was looking for in a man and he met his own demise. Although this movie is over twenty years old, it is still a good movie to watch. Sometimes romance doesn't have to be about sex. It's about the emotion, the heart.

Officer and A Gentleman lifts the audience up
When I saw this movie as a young adult, I found it to be a very interesting, sweet, coming of age movie. The movie follows Richard Gere as "Zack Mayo" who joins the Navy and goes through Officer Candidate School. Along the way, he learns the meaning of friendship, discipline, and love.

The beginning has a very poignant episode of flashbacks going back to "Mayo's" childhood, his father's treatment of him, and his harsh upbringing. It is through this upbringing, that you begin to understand why "Mayo" acts the way he does through the first half of the movie.

The friendship between he and David Keith is a special one, one that tests its very meaning. Debra Winger does an excellent job of a local factory girl, looking to find someone special. Along comes the smooth talking, loner "Mayo" who is hell-bent on completing Officer Candidate School without anyone's help. Their chemistry is magical.

Louis Gossett Jr. is the senior drill instructor who tests "Mayo's" committment and perserverance. Gosstt Jr. is "Foley" who's job is to weed out those who don't belong and he does a phenomenal portrayal of that.

Some of my favorite scenes were with Gere and Winger at the "Tides Inn", Gere and Gosset Jr. in the blimp hanger, and the latter half of the film with Gere's changing of character.

This is an excellent movie for anyone who has ever hoped for a better life, a true challenge, and had people who cared for them. ... Read more

Reviews (10)

A movie that is deserving of being re-released.
I think Tommy Lee Jones does a wonderful job of portraying the life of an actual person. He shows you the many different sides, good and bad, of a man who probably wishes his life would have been different, better, and probably wishes he was never born.

Tommy Lee Jones is superb in his portrayal of Gary Gilmore.
What a great movie! Tommy Lee does a superb performance portraying the convicted killer Gary Gilmore. Tommy Lee and Roseanne Arquette really make this movie execiting. I think this is one of the finest true life dramas ever produced. BRING BACK THIS MOVIE!! I would really like to purchase this movie. Why isn't it available? I'm sure I am not the only one who would like to purchase it. Please BRING IT BACK!

EXECUTIONERS SONG TOMMY LEE JONES
Tommy Lee Jones is clearly outstanding as Gary Gilmore. He captures the expressions and emotions behind the character like noone else could. The drama takes you through the craziness that Gary Gilmore had throughout his life and shows the love-hate relationship that friends and family had for him. Tragic, yet facinating, this movie is sure to hold your interest time after time.

The Real Gary Gilmore is lost here
I found this movie rather disappointing.After reading the Pullitzer Prize winning novel by Norman Mailer,& an in depth interview with Gary Gilmore by Playboy in 1977,it is for certain that Gary Gilmore was not accurately portrayed in this movie.The book was well researched based on actual court transcripts,letters between Gary & Nicole,& interviews with several people who knew the convicted murderer.
In the movie,the man was played with far too much feeling.The character came across as too mannerly & wimpy.The real Gary was no wimp by any stretch of the imagination.Consider a man at 35 who spent half of his life locked up.A man who killed 2 men execution style for no reason whatsoever - without even batting an eye.A guy like that is not going to be overly sensitive.The movie portrays him as a sensitive person.In actual fact he was quite intelligent,but rather curt & aggressive in interview,& only showed any iota of feeling for his mother,his brother,& Nicole,& even then it was basic.
Maybe it was in part due to the fact the movie was made for TV.The first part of the movie I kept wondering when the real Gary would come across.It was only in the second part where Gary was captured,that parts of the real Gary Gilmore were allowed to shine through.Some things were true to form,for instance when the Judge asked Gary what his preferred mode of execution would be,Tommy Lee played that out exactly as it should be with the exact words Gary said.There were a few other scenes where he played it well.I don't think it had anything to do with the acting at all.It was probably the fault of writing & directing that caused the essence of the real man to be lost.As well I think Roseanna Arquette made Nicole seem a lot more intelligent than she really was.
What this movie needed was to show the character as hard,edgy,& aggressive.The movie should also have captured the period with more 70's hit songs,than just a couple with a great deal of hokey country tunes for the soundtrack.Also they completely botched up the music that actually played in the van when Gary was taken to the cannery for his execution.The real song that played would have been perfect because of the lyrics,but the filmmaker botched that up too,& once again,on comes another hokey,tear in yer beer country tune.
If you want to find out about the real Gary Gilmore,read the book by Norman Mailer.It's fascinating & factual.If you can get a hold of that back issue -The April 1977 issue of Playboy,that contains the powerful interview with Gary Gilmore ,GET IT!It's very enlightening & profound.Check out the A & E biography of him,& get a hold of Mikal Gilmore's book about his brother.
This movie is well cast,& fairly good.However you only get a tiny glimpse of the real killer here.

One of the BEST!
One of the best movies period! Tommy Lee Jones is great as Gary Wayne Gilmore. Rosanne Arquette does an outstanding job as Gary's wife and Eli Wallach is outstanding as Gary's uncle. The foreign version (in english) is better than the US version as it includes extra scenes. Should be released on DVD. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Talking Dirty with Deborah
One of the more frustrating aspects of being a Deborah Harry fan is supporting her acting career. Though she's a decent actress and captivating screen presence, too often one has to suffer through 90 minutes of dreck to catch the two or three wonderful moments Deborah is on screen. For every "Videodrome" or "Hairspray" in her filmography, there are twice as many wastes of celluloid like "Drop Dead Rock" or "Forever, Lulu." This made-for-cable thriller isn't a great movie, but it's entertaining solely for Deborah's star turn as a phone sex operator who "witnesses" a murder over the phone. The cops, of course, don't believe her. Street cop James Russo overhears her being laughed out of the police station and decides to do some amateur sleuthing in hopes it'll help him get promoted to detective (like I said, not a great movie). It's pretty much a by-the-numbers, mediocre thriller, with Deborah getting stalked by the killer as she tries to discover his identity. Suspense fans will be disappointed, but Deborah Harry fans will be in heaven as they listen to her talk dirty to strangers in her flat, deadpan voice ("My eyes are blue--blue like the California sky," she breathes in the same tone of voice used to open the Blondie song "X-Offender"). Better still, Deborah's character is also a struggling singer, so she gets to sing a couple songs, the best being a forlorn cover of "Piece of My Heart."

One other group that'll love this movie: smoking fetishists. There's barely a scene Deborah is in where she's not lighting a cigarette--with matches, never a lighter. Even the opening credits begin with an extreme close up of her bringing a match to the tip of a cigarette. I can't watch this movie without wanting a cigarette myself.

Cheesey, but fantastic movie!
Here's the good stuff; see a sexy Deborah Harry chain smoke, talk really, REALLY dirty, and fight a maniac! Now, seriously, this is one great little movie you got here. If I'm correct, this was a made for TV movie, which would help to explain the look to it. The acting is very good at points, but then seems to fade at others. The maniac, for example, sounds incredibly scary over the phone, but when you see him face to face with heroin Deb, he doesn't seem to be that great. Just a small example. The plot is a little bit thin, but what can you say? It's a cat-and-mouse style movie, which usually doesn't includee much of a plot. The plot, however, doesn't seem to matter here, because the style of it all is great. It has a very eary look and feel to it, and the soundtrack is great (especially the Debbie songs!). So, yes, it may not be the best movie ever made, but it still deserves 5 stars for its creativity and the great sense of horror about it.

COOL PERFORMANCE
FOR BLONDIE FANS, ASIDE FROM THE PLOT WICH IS COVERED BY OTHER REVIEWS, IT'S IMPORTANT TO NOTE SHE PERFORMS ONSTAGE WITH AN UNKNOWN BAND IN A SMOKEY DIVE IN GOTHAM CITY & HER VOICE'S GOLDEN ESSENCE IS S