Reviews (23)

Fantastic Classic! Acting at it's best!
This movie was extremely well done and absolutely brilliant. The Trip to Bountiful is pre-Driving Miss Daisy and far better. Geraldine Page who portrays an elderly woman is trapped in her son's apartment with his hateful wife. She plans an escape to try and see her hometown Bountiful before she dies. It's sort of like The Wizard of Oz meets Driving Miss Daisy, with the "getting home" theme, and the friends she encounters on the journey. This movie delivers Geraldine Page at her best, she carries the picture at an awesome pace that will exploit all of your emotions. DVD is calling for this picture, buy this and enjoy classic film making at its best! Look for Rebecca Demorney and John Heard in supporting roles.

When You Just Want to go Home
I have been waiting for a long time for this movie to be released as a DVD. What is taking so long?
Since this is one of my most favorite movies, I keep the video in a special place until the DVD comes out. And, I believe you need to be a little older to understand the longing and need to "go home" one more time. I have felt this way.
My elderly aunt watched this with me some time ago and she felt such intense anger at the daughter-in-law who could not comprehend anyone's feelings but her own. The more I watched the film over the years, however, I felt a sort of compassion for the daughter-in-law who felt her life's being overshadowed by the emotional needs of her mother-in-law. Yet, the feelings of exhilaration and joy felt by Geraldine Paige's character at finally escaping on the bus to Bountiful were so moving. My favorite part is where the mother-in-law is taken back to her old house by the sheriff, his heart moved by this old woman who just wanted to feel the dirt of home one more time - to derive strength from her family's roots. Just to hear the old red bird and remember the scissortail. Nostalgia is selected memory, and her memories are both happy and pitiful. Yet, her strength to have endured them all is enriching and inspiring.
I wish more movies were made like this today. This is the kind you can share with a grandchild or an elderly aunt. Both will remember it in different ways.

Bountiful Geraldine Page,one of THE GREATEST
not much too say...HOW CAN ONE SPEAK on SUCH ARTISTRY????
THE GREAT Miss PAGE....only one boo-boo..Miss PAGE WAS ALIVE WHEN SHE WON THE OSCAR!! I remember the LA Times showing her the NEXT DAY HOLDING HER OSCAR!!
HELLOOOO!!DVD! DVD!! RAH RAH RAH!!

Utterly Breathtaking!
I just read the reviews of Trip to Bountiful and felt like I needed to write my own to add to this great group of intelligent and tasteful Bountiful fans.

Today was the first time I'd seen Bountiful in its movie form. I live in Nashville, TN, and a theatre troupe I was involved with here put it on several years ago, and I can say that I had the honorable position of being assistant stage manager and set construction assistant in that great show. What a wonderful play to put to life, even on the small stage. Everyone in the production team and in the audience was moved by it every single performance.

When I was watching the film today, it was so interesting seeing the parallels between the play and film version, and I really felt like the film was respectful to Foote's original vision. What a breathtaking movie! Has anyone seen the earlier made-for-TV version of it? I have not, and I wonder how it compares to this version...

I felt like Bountiful was so reminiscent of O'Neill's Long Day's Journey into Night, which is arguably my all-time favorite play/film. Bountiful tapped into those same deep-seated emotions O'Neill was remarkable for affecting, and I felt really drawn into the life and struggles of Carrie Watts. Thank you Geraldine Page for one of the most memorable performances I've ever seen!

Anyway, I just thought I'd chime in with my two cents to some fellow fans. Best wishes, and here's hoping for Bountiful's speedy release on DVD!

Warm And Loving Trip
"The Trip To Bountiful" is one of the best films released in 1985. It explores an elderly woman held "captive" by her daughter-in-law who treats her like a child. As her heart condition worsens, her yearning to return to her long-lost town, Bountiful, becomes stronger. Throughout her journey, she feels increasing peace and harmony with nature and within herself. Many twists and turns occur throughout her vacation that keeps the audience interested. Such emotion expressed in those words give the movie the heartwarming feel that has been lost in many movies that were released afterward. Few knew that such horrible way of living can turn so warm so quickly.

Geraldine Page rightfully won her overdue Oscar for Best Actress for her role as the unhappy elderly woman. Unfortunately, she passed away before she could accept her award, but her legacy lives on. John Heard and Rebecca De Mornay play wonderful supporting roles as the son and the daughter-in-law. Every actor portrays their role with heavy heart and soul, never holding back a drop of emotion. Such raw talents give "The Trip To Bountiful" the extra heartwarming effect.

"The Trip To Bountiful" is a great movie for those looking for a power drama. This will keep audiences entertained for many years to come. The producers of this movie need to give lessons to modern day movie producers to teach them how to make movies correctly. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

a moving, human drama
Except for the terrible cover and a killer of a title, this is an excellent movie. But it's not for everyone. If you like action, explosions, car chases, etc., this is NOT the movie for you.

The death of her father has put a 5-year-old girl into such shock that she refers to herself in the third person. She believes her father doesn't come home because she has done something bad and he won't forgive her. (The portrayal of this child by the child actress is nothing short of amazing.) How she is cured and the kindness shown to her, not just by those around her and by a distant family, but by the public at large is one of the most moving sequences on film. If you're not into human kindness or refuse to believe it exists, stay away from this film. But if you believe there's still hope, this movie will show you, you're right.

mermaid
I thought that this film was very heartwarming. A young girl loses her father when she is four years old. Her mother obviously distraught was left to care for her alone, with the help of her mother and some friends. The little girl loved mermaids. Because the little girl didnt understand where her father had gone, her grandmother told her that she could write a letter to him, which they attached to a balloon. the balloon floated away and landed by a lake known as Mermaid lake in Mermaid City. A hunter found the letter and took it home, showed it to his family and decided to write back. The little girl recieved the letter later on and went to visit this family. They became firm friends. Meanwhile the mother became quite close to an old friend, whihc may have turned into a romance.
Overall i loved this film it was very sad but had a nice ending and was based on a true story.

Oh DEAR
This movie caused the tears to pour down my face. The reason for this display of emotion was the fact that I was laughing incredibly hard. Plus, my neighbour had just wet her pants, laughing right along with me. It is sappy, sentimental, to the point of being nauseating. Uuuuurgh. I'd better go see if my neighbour's alright, I think she just fell of the couch.
Yes, I'm a teenager. Did you guess?

A Powerful and Moving True Story...
I wasn't sure what to expect at first viewing of this, but I was hopeful considering that Ellen Burstyn has habit of being in rather excellent movies. This definately is another success.

It's a simple story about a Rhonda and her daughter who loses her husband and they both hold in their grief so deeply they become emotionally paralyzed. Rhonda's mother (Ellen Burstyn) comes up with the idea to send a letter to the little girl Desi's dad up in Heaven tied to a mermaid balloon which mysteriously ends up thousands of miles away in a town called Mermaid in Canada. This incredible event changes Desi and Rhonda's life forever.

Now mind you I am not a person who is prone to crying at movies but this one touched me so deeply I couldn't help myself. I never expected to be so profoundly moved by this little film, but it was just so beautiful and heartfelt. The fact that this is based on a true story only adds to it's impact. This is a great movie for anyone young or old. Just have some tissues nearby it's a real tear jerker.

A great and touching movie
The only mermaids in the TV-movie are the ones on the balloon and in the book, but the story is based on a real event.

Very loosely modeled on Hans Christian Andersen's original "The Little Mermaid" (not the Disney version), the film depicts in fanciful fashion the attempt of a small girl to communicate with her dead father in heaven by attaching a note to a balloon with a mermaid pictured on it. The balloon is carried on the wind from California to St. Edward's Island in Canada, and the people who find it respond to the girl's message. The cast is well-chosen and the film is touching without being mawkish.

It is pleasant to imagine that mermaids and angels exist in the light beyond death. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Don't Wait Until it is Too Late
"The Only Thrill" tells the story of two people (Diane Keaton and Sam Shepard) who are destined to be together, but because of certain insecurities, never do connect. Now their kids, her daughter and his son are falling in love and are about to make the same mistake their parents did.

This was a wonderful story that brought tears to my eyes (not many movies do that to me) in certain parts as well as laughter. One of the things that I loved was how they showed the characters through the course of about 30 years. It was such a bittersweet and wonderful movie to watch.

There is Still a Chance for Love
Sam Shepard and Diane Keaton light up the screen as two people who are meant to be together, but are kept apart by fear. What I really loved about this movie was how it started in the 1960s and eventually ended up in the present day. Diane Lane and Robert Patrick were wonderful as the daughter and son of Carol (Keaton) and Reece (Shepard), respectively. And they are headed down the same path as Carol and Reece were, until something changes their minds. If you like romance movies, this is a wonderful one to rent or buy. The performances by all four leads are excellent. The drama is what pulled me in and the light-hearted moments were wonderful as well.

good for a rainy night
This movie is good for a rainy night, when you're feeling bored and not in the mood for an overly-drenched romance. This movie balances romance and drama well. The point of this movie is to tell your significant other only three words: "i love you", but to the two couples in this movie, it's taking them a lifetime to say it. I thought the plot was sweet,also the actors, but you find yourself thinking "come on! just hurry up and say 'i love you!'".. though i like this movie, i have a few thoughts based on the plot. The plot seems too general- like every part seems superficial. I wanted to see the actors show a bit of emotion. Instead, they're holding in their feelings for each other. the story should have been focused on the older couple, Keaton and Shepard. Patrick's friend, Donovan, just seems out of place- it makes the movie seem awkward sometimes. Of course, I'm tossing out random thoughts on the movie, but I just think that the script should have called for deep analysis of each couple's feelings, as well as how the decades influenced them. Basically, there was no emotion. Impassivity, that's it. Sure, there were anger and all, but I wanted to see tears and sweet nothings whispered in ears. I wanted to see vulnerability. The plot is so intent on concealing the actors' true feelings that it just drowns out the tender feelings shared between them. I know even if it was difficult for them to express their feelings, they could have expressed their feelings in a different way. I overall like this movie, but it doesn't rate as one of my favorites. I enjoyed seeing Keaton in this movie, though. She's one of my favorite actresses.

A must see for any one who cares for someone
A must see movie for any one who cares for someone because you may not know how much you love him/her and how much he/she loves you before its too late to express.

Anyway its a movie with a strong message that those who say "Its never too late" are not always correct.

Soul mates kept apart by the fear of saying I love you
Diane Keaton and Sam Sheppard play long time friends who deeply belong together. Everyone knows it including them, but the comfortable life of their friendship and their inconceivable ability to express their feelings for one another leaves them alone. Unfortunately in the end it is too late for them, but their life serves as a what not to do guide for their children. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Mary Stuart Masterson fans will love it.
Sometimes confusing story line, but enjoyable watching. Peter Masterson ( director ) handles it very much like the stage play he also directed. Mary Stuart Masterson gives a strong performance as a very shallow individual, but her devotees will love her no matter how upsetting her character may be. Other good acting helps, but once again, the storyline can be difficult to comprehend. Watch it several times to appreciate it more. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

predictable...baseball scenes ok. announcer authentic
wasnt the best i've ever seen...but if you like a good mystery and sports, this isnt a bad film..didnt make much of a splash when released, but i find those who see it like it..roy scheider is always strong..enjoyed the baseball play by play track throughout that added to the plot... ... Read more

Reviews (7)

My dad the actor
My dad was in this movie. He an a friend fishing at the time this movie was filmed and the producers asked if he wanted to be in the movie. They used my dad, his truck (an old toyota pickup) and his friend in a background scene. I think my dad and his friend were cut out but the truck still remains. It will be nice to finally see the movie after hearing about it. It was previously titled "Blue Moon Over Troubled Water" so we could not find the film. This will make a nice Christmas present for my dad.

full moon in blue water
I thought the movie was excellent. I had a close association with Gene Hackmans character, he plays a very believable role as an ex merchant marine trying to deal with life after the dissappearance of his wife. The combination of Hackman, Garr, and Burgess Merideth was very appealing.There is a real feeling for the characters as the movie evolves. The man who does the odd jobs around the restaurant is very funny. Two thumbs up.

Under-rated gem
I was glad to see this finally come out in DVD. It's an artful, subtle little meditation on life that somehow manages to keep you laughing. Masterson's directing is pretty understated here, Hackman gives a very good performance, and the script has true meat and depth. Highly recommended.

An overlooked treasure.
Full Moon In Blue Water, which was totally overlooked when it was released in 1988, was obviously a film before its time. The acting by the four stars (Hackman, Meredith, Garr and, especially, Koteas) is wonderful. The script, while keeping an overall comic tone, deals with subjects far deeper. The story is a marvelous one - a tale of displaced people who come together to form an eccentric, but loving family. Very highly recommended!

A Meditation On the Way Life Often Works
The loss of a loved one, especially a spouse or a child, can be devastating on the one left behind; and without some kind of closure, that same love, combined with the loss, can lead to an unhealthy obsession in which the object of that devotion can emerge as something so perfect that none among the living could ever hope to measure up to it. And it's just such a situation that is explored by director Peter Masterson in "Full Moon In Blue Water," the story of a man who, even after many months, cannot come to terms with the loss of his wife, and has, by clinging so vehemently to her memory, effectively removed himself from the world of the living, despite the efforts of others who are close to him and depend upon him, including the woman who would love him-- if only he would give her the chance.

Floyd (Gene Hackman) is the owner of the Blue Water Grill, situated on the coast of the Texas Gulf in the small town of Blue Water. He's made a living at it since ending a stint as a merchant marine, and it's pretty much all he knows. And for a time, when he shared it all with his beloved Dorothy (Becky Ann Baker), it was the perfect life. But it all ended when Dorothy disappeared one day out on the gulf, and was presumed drowned; a tragedy from which Floyd has never recovered. Now he spends his days watching home movies of his wife, reliving the moments they shared, which become even more perfect with every day that passes, and with each additional viewing. He's let his business slide, and doesn't realize-- or perhaps just doesn't care-- what a dangerous, downward spiral he's on.

Floyd may be content wallowing in his discontent and misery, but there are those who need him and love him, and refuse to give up on him: His invalid father-in-law, The General (Burgess Meredith), would be lost without Floyd, as would Jimmy (Elias Koteas), the simpleton Floyd provides with a living by employing him for odd jobs around the restaurant, and as a companion for The General. But most especially, there's Louise (Teri Garr), a woman who cares deeply for Floyd, but just can't get through to him-- she simply can't live up to the image of perfection Floyd holds in his mind of Dorothy. But there's something else troubling Louise, too. She knows that real estate broker Charlie O'Donnell (Kevin Cooney) has made an offer to buy Floyd's place, and for a sum that's half of what it's worth. And in his diminished mental state, Floyd may be about to make one of the biggest mistakes of his life; Louise, however, is determined to avert it from happening. If only she can get through to Floyd in time; if only she can break through that wall of Dorothy's memory.

Masterson delivers his story in a straightforward manner, without attempting any frills, tricks or exaggerations in an effort to heighten the drama. He simply gives you a story that is what it is; a look at the twists and turns life can take, and how when something happens to one it affects, not only that person, but those around him, and in turn, those around them. Subtly, but very definitely, it underscores the symbiotic nature of mankind and succinctly drives home the point that, indeed, no man is an island. As this film so aptly demonstrates, whether we choose to believe it or not, there is no such thing as absolute autonomy. Somewhere along the line, directly or indirectly, the behavior of one is going to have an effect on someone else. It's the underlying message of this film, and it's presented quite effectively by Masterson, although his approach is a bit too academic, perhaps. Human emotion forms the core of the story, and yet the film is not as emotionally involving as it could-- or should-- be. Masterson manages to maintain interest, but without that hook that would have really engaged his audience. Still, it's a good job, the film is well delivered and offers a satisfying experience, albeit one that could have been much more.

As Floyd, Hackman gives a solid performance, creating a character that is believable and real. He gets neither too maudlin nor morbid with his portrayal, even in the depths of his depression, which tells us something about who Floyd really is: a guy who feels deeply, but is capable of bouncing back. Hackman makes him someone with whom you can empathize, but without getting too close. Everyone will be able to relate to Floyd on some level, inasmuch as loss is something we all have to deal with at one time or another, though that sense of identity is more of an inherent aspect of the story rather than due to anything that Hackman brings to it. It's Hackman's expertise, however, that maintains the film's credibility and makes that sense of identity accessible. And that's why Hackman's a star; he makes what he does convincing, as he does here, with a performance that is, in it's simplicity, natural and affecting.

Teri Garr is effective, as well, turning in a sympathetic performance through which she successfully conveys, not only her love and concern for Floyd, but her frustrations in coping with the intangible and impenetrable image of Dorothy that Floyd has created in his mind. Garr is entirely convincing as Louise, lending her a blue-collar charm that she sells with her natural, charismatic screen presence.

It's the supporting efforts by Koteas and Meredith that really makes this film click, however. Koteas finds just the right tone and shadings to make the hapless Jimmy convincing, and Meredith is a delight as the lovable old curmudgeon embraced by Floyd, in that he is his last link to Dorothy. "Full Moon In Blue Water," then, is a meditation on life; and one that's definitely worth a look. ... Read more

Reviews (23)

Fantastic Classic! Acting at it's best!
This movie was extremely well done and absolutely brilliant. The Trip to Bountiful is pre-Driving Miss Daisy and far better. Geraldine Page who portrays an elderly woman is trapped in her son's apartment with his hateful wife. She plans an escape to try and see her hometown Bountiful before she dies. It's sort of like The Wizard of Oz meets Driving Miss Daisy, with the "getting home" theme, and the friends she encounters on the journey. This movie delivers Geraldine Page at her best, she carries the picture at an awesome pace that will exploit all of your emotions. DVD is calling for this picture, buy this and enjoy classic film making at its best! Look for Rebecca Demorney and John Heard in supporting roles.

When You Just Want to go Home
I have been waiting for a long time for this movie to be released as a DVD. What is taking so long?
Since this is one of my most favorite movies, I keep the video in a special place until the DVD comes out. And, I believe you need to be a little older to understand the longing and need to "go home" one more time. I have felt this way.
My elderly aunt watched this with me some time ago and she felt such intense anger at the daughter-in-law who could not comprehend anyone's feelings but her own. The more I watched the film over the years, however, I felt a sort of compassion for the daughter-in-law who felt her life's being overshadowed by the emotional needs of her mother-in-law. Yet, the feelings of exhilaration and joy felt by Geraldine Paige's character at finally escaping on the bus to Bountiful were so moving. My favorite part is where the mother-in-law is taken back to her old house by the sheriff, his heart moved by this old woman who just wanted to feel the dirt of home one more time - to derive strength from her family's roots. Just to hear the old red bird and remember the scissortail. Nostalgia is selected memory, and her memories are both happy and pitiful. Yet, her strength to have endured them all is enriching and inspiring.
I wish more movies were made like this today. This is the kind you can share with a grandchild or an elderly aunt. Both will remember it in different ways.

Bountiful Geraldine Page,one of THE GREATEST
not much too say...HOW CAN ONE SPEAK on SUCH ARTISTRY????
THE GREAT Miss PAGE....only one boo-boo..Miss PAGE WAS ALIVE WHEN SHE WON THE OSCAR!! I remember the LA Times showing her the NEXT DAY HOLDING HER OSCAR!!
HELLOOOO!!DVD! DVD!! RAH RAH RAH!!

Utterly Breathtaking!
I just read the reviews of Trip to Bountiful and felt like I needed to write my own to add to this great group of intelligent and tasteful Bountiful fans.

Today was the first time I'd seen Bountiful in its movie form. I live in Nashville, TN, and a theatre troupe I was involved with here put it on several years ago, and I can say that I had the honorable position of being assistant stage manager and set construction assistant in that great show. What a wonderful play to put to life, even on the small stage. Everyone in the production team and in the audience was moved by it every single performance.

When I was watching the film today, it was so interesting seeing the parallels between the play and film version, and I really felt like the film was respectful to Foote's original vision. What a breathtaking movie! Has anyone seen the earlier made-for-TV version of it? I have not, and I wonder how it compares to this version...

I felt like Bountiful was so reminiscent of O'Neill's Long Day's Journey into Night, which is arguably my all-time favorite play/film. Bountiful tapped into those same deep-seated emotions O'Neill was remarkable for affecting, and I felt really drawn into the life and struggles of Carrie Watts. Thank you Geraldine Page for one of the most memorable performances I've ever seen!

Anyway, I just thought I'd chime in with my two cents to some fellow fans. Best wishes, and here's hoping for Bountiful's speedy release on DVD!

Warm And Loving Trip
"The Trip To Bountiful" is one of the best films released in 1985. It explores an elderly woman held "captive" by her daughter-in-law who treats her like a child. As her heart condition worsens, her yearning to return to her long-lost town, Bountiful, becomes stronger. Throughout her journey, she feels increasing peace and harmony with nature and within herself. Many twists and turns occur throughout her vacation that keeps the audience interested. Such emotion expressed in those words give the movie the heartwarming feel that has been lost in many movies that were released afterward. Few knew that such horrible way of living can turn so warm so quickly.

Geraldine Page rightfully won her overdue Oscar for Best Actress for her role as the unhappy elderly woman. Unfortunately, she passed away before she could accept her award, but her legacy lives on. John Heard and Rebecca De Mornay play wonderful supporting roles as the son and the daughter-in-law. Every actor portrays their role with heavy heart and soul, never holding back a drop of emotion. Such raw talents give "The Trip To Bountiful" the extra heartwarming effect.

"The Trip To Bountiful" is a great movie for those looking for a power drama. This will keep audiences entertained for many years to come. The producers of this movie need to give lessons to modern day movie producers to teach them how to make movies correctly. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

IFFY
My mom was an extra in this movie and I think it was pretty cool.

A Brother and Sister Act - - - Why not more with these two?
I disagree with Leonard Maltin's opinion that this is a "dreadful film". It's a good film with a good cast; Julia Roberts makes her first film appearance and, to my knowledge, her only appearance with her brother, Eric, a fine actor who is seldom given the credit he deserves. My emotions were stirred by the unjust inflictions suffered by the wine growers. The film was impressive enough to inspire me to check railroad history and learn what I can to determine whether there really were any unscrupulous railroad barons like Dennis Hopper's character; incidentally, he handled the Irish accent very well.

You'll fight for the characters!
This is a story of a man who has imigrated from a foreign country only to find his land is being sought after by a dirty businessman who wants to put a railroad through it for his own benefit. Eric Roberts plays the son who fights for his right to deny access to his family's land. It's a predictable movie that leaves you wanting someone to re-write the ending.

Julia in the beginning...
I love Julia Roberts and this was an exciting and informative movie,I recmmend it to anyone who enjoys movies in th 1800's. ... Read more

Reviews (8)

"Is theah a convick in that theah closet?"
Strange stuff--Duvall rants, gibbers, and fires a shotgun into an empty closet. Haas watches, listens, and smiles a lot. The great James Earl Jones wanders in, scratches his beard and mutters to himself, and walks out again. If this sounds like your kind of thing, jump right in. But nobody's ever going to claim this is Horton Foote's finest hour.

MORE DUVALL BRILLIANCE.
THIS WAS ONE OF THOSE LITTLE MOVIES THAT GOT LOST AND FORGOTTEN BECAUSE IT DIDNT HAVE SEX AND VIOLENCE IN STARRING ROLES.

A YOUNG BOY WHO JUST WANTS TO MAKE ENOUGH MONEY TO BUY HIS FATHER A GRAVESTONE AND KEEP HIMSELF IN CHEWING TOBACCO GOES TO WORK ON AN EAST TEXAS SUGAR PLANTATION AT THE TURN OF THE TWENTIETH CENTURY. HIS BOSS IS CROTCHETY AND BARELY LUCID ROBERT DUVALL. DUVALL EMPLOYS PRISON CONVICTS TO WORK ON THE PLACE AND RULES OVER THEM WITH A WEAK BUT IRON FIST.

ALL PARTS ARE WELL PLAYED AND HORTON FOOTES WRITING IS GREAT AS ALWAYS.

THE FILMS SHINING MOMENTS ARE WHENEVER DUVALL IS ON THE SCREEN AS THE PHILISOPHICAL, RAMBLING OLD GEYSER WHO'S MIND IS RAVAGED BY AGE. THESE SCENES WILL HAVE YOU LAUGHING AND WEEPING WITHIN SECONDS OF EACH OTHER.

DUVALL IS PROBABLY THE MOST GIFTED ACTOR WORKING TODAY. HE BRINGS 'REALNESS' TO HIS CHARACTERS THAT FEW OTHER 'PLAYERS' CAN MANAGE.

'CONVICTS' IS ONE OF THOSE LITTLE PIECES OF QUALITY FLIM MAKING THAT OCCASIONALLY MAKES ITS WAY THROUGH THE LIBERAL PERVERSNESS THAT SEEMS TO INFLUENCE MOST OF WHAT MAKES IT TO THE SCREEN THESE DAYS.

ITS A GREAT LITTLE FILM.

Great film, great acting... a real "moment in time."
Robert Duvall is a direct descendent of Confederate General Robert E. Lee, according the IMDb.com movie database. After seeing this film, you may think Duvall's appearance is reincarnation at it's best.

One of my most favorite films. I wish the composer, Peter Rodgers Melnick had a CD or there was a soundtrack available. Wonderful scenery and music and "all too-true-to-life," especially for those of us that live in, or have moved to, the South. This is a "real moment in time." Life moves on, slowly, but "strangers we do not remain."

Quiet Movie
'Convicts' leaves the viewer with a lot to think about. This movie is recommended for those types who enjoy sitting quietly and watching scenes unfold as if watching through a window. Robert Duvall's character is quite interesting and his portrayal conveys very well the mood of uncertainty that the boy's character must surely feel very strongly throughout his time at the farm.

I think it takes a viewer that finds pleasure in quiet thinking to enjoy this film as it takes some reflection on the viewers part to determine just what the story was and what it means to them. There isn't a lot of action, but plenty to stimulate conversation afterwards. The is one of the few movies I would want to watch more than a couple of times.

Movies with a similar quiet feel and are also very good:
'Where The River's Flow North'- Rip Torn, Tantoo Cardinal, Michael J Fox and Treat Williams.
'The Ballad of The Sad Cafe'- Vanessa Redgrave, Keith Carradine.
'The Ballad of Little Jo'- Suzy Amis, Sam Robbards, Ian Mckellan
'Snow Falling on Cedars'- Ethan Hawke, Sam Shepard, Youki Kudoh, Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa.

Watching Grass Grow
Just watched this last night. It's the most boring film I've seen in years, and what important life truths did the boy learn from the convicts? Never did figure that one out. It was almost a complete zero; even the makeup was poor. The purple eyeshadow on Duvall didn't convey age as much as make him look like a grandpa closet queen. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Poorly executed
As a dedicated Rutger Hauer fan, I have to state honestly that "Arctic Blue" is a mediocre film. Anyone remotely familiar with this actor knows he is an accomplished thespian capable of highly memorable performances. He is probably best known for his turn as one of the androids in Ridley Scott's "Blade Runner" and the psychotic killer in "The Hitcher," two immensely enjoyable movies. Sadly, Hauer is an actor who is willing to sell his talent short in order to pick up a paycheck. "Arctic Blue" serves as a prime example of this actor's weakness. Still, watching Hauer in a cinematic clunker is often better than what most performers can turn in on their best days. We learn early in the film that "Arctic Blue" is a nickname for SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder), an affliction that sometimes causes severe depression in human beings living in areas hit hard by winter conditions. Since "Arctic Blue" the movie takes place in the wilds of Alaska, the term makes some sense. After watching this mess of a film, I felt as though I had suddenly come down with a disorder completely unrelated to cold weather called CAD (Cinematic Affective Disorder).

Welcome to Devil's Cauldron, Alaska, population roughly twenty. The main characters are a young couple working for the oil company, Eric and Anne Marie (Dylan Walsh and Rya Kihlstedt respectively), and a quartet of rough looking mountain men led by Ben Corbett (Hauer). Nobody really likes having these trappers hanging around town, let alone poaching out in the woods, but everybody leaves them alone because they fear their wild ways and insolent behavior. When Corbett and his ruffians murder a man out in the forest, it is up to the sheriff to bring the men to justice. Since the cop is aware of the dangers inherent in messing around with the mountain men, he enlists Eric and Anne Marie in the apprehension of Corbett. Bad move for Eric and his lady. Corbett has no intention of waiting around for the chopper to arrive and fly him to Fairbanks for a trial. After the trapper kills the sheriff in an escape attempt, Eric decides to fly Corbett to Fairbanks himself in his oil company's little plane. Of course, the aircraft goes down in the mountains after Ben turns the engine off in mid-flight, thus leaving the two men stranded in the wilderness with only each other to depend upon. Meanwhile, back in town Corbett's goons hunt down Eric's woman in an attempt to discover the whereabouts of Ben. There's also some lame subplot about the mayor of the town thwarting Eric's efforts to bring Corbett to justice.

Eric and Ben spend a few days tramping through the snowy landscapes of Alaska where they deal with hunger, finding shelter, staying warm, and occasional escape attempts orchestrated by Ben. The two grow to like each other despite the fact Corbett is a murderer who could very well try to kill Eric before the two reach town. You could call the budding relationship between Eric and Ben male bonding, I guess. I would call it nonsensical and utterly ridiculous. When Eric finally gets Ben back in a jail cell in Devil's Cauldron, the other three trappers come looking for their compatriot. These guys mean business in a very serious way, and won't hesitate to kill anyone who opposes them. An extended chase scene occurs as Eric and Anne Marie try to get Ben Corbett into a chopper before his pals blow their heads off. The conclusion of the film is about as ridiculous as the rest of the film, an ending that worked in a movie like "Midnight Run" but fails totally here. Finishing "Arctic Blue" takes an immense amount of patience on the part of the viewer.

The movie could have succeeded if the editing, plot, script, and pacing worked better. As it stands, the people behind the film attempted to do too much with too little. Several themes running throughout the film, such as the trapper as a dying breed in a modern world, never go anywhere. You feel nothing for Corbett and his pals because most of them are violent jerks wantonly destroying the environment, terrorizing visitors and townspeople, and killing innocent people. Moreover, other plot points go nowhere or make little sense. Why, for example, didn't Eric just kill Corbett after the man murdered the sheriff right in front of him? Why was the sheriff's body hanging in a tree towards the end of the film? Why, exactly, was the guy running for mayor so intent on doing everything in his power to place roadblocks in Eric's path? How is it possible to wonder around in the wilderness without adequate clothing? As I watched the film, I kept wondering if I nodded off during important scenes that explained these mysteries. By the time the end of the film rolled around, I came to understand it was the film's fault and not mine.

The DVD edition includes trailers ("Arctic Blue," "Striking Distance," "The Replacement Killers") and a commentary from director Peter Masterson. The picture quality is sharp despite a fullscreen presentation. The best advice I can give you concerning this movie is to rent it and not buy it. Even diehard Rutger Hauer fans will probably express disappointment over what should have been (and probably was) a straight to video film. Watch it if you must see every Hauer film known to man, but you're better off simply watching "Blade Runner" or "The Hitcher" again. ... Read more