Description

In a small Southern town in the 1930s, two sisters are at odds with one another after one has ensconsed herself in a treehouse. ... Read more

Reviews (14)

Excellent Film
This is one of the best film I have watched. Although many of the novel's great moments was absent from the movie, it was rescued by the fine acting by the group of veteran actors, particularly Piper Laurie, Sissy Spacek and Nell Carter. I must watched this film more that 5 times already and I'm still not stopping.

Everyone wants the same thing out of life.
This movie tels the story of a boy who is sent to live with his aunts after the death of his mother. It's unique characters allow this heartwarming story to come to life. A little slow moving at times, but with just enough zanniness to keep me interested. It shows that though people may be different, we are actually all very much the same deep down and all want the same thing - to be loved.

Hollywood's Nepotism Award goes to - Charles Matthau!
A boy grows up in the thirties. Collin Fenwick (Edward Furlong) feels attachment to his aunt Dolly (Piper Laurie), a good-natured, warm-hearted, somewhat fidgety woman. But her domineering sister Verena (Sissy Spacek) considers Dolly unfit for life. In her eyes she is not presentable and she feels ashamed for her. When Verena falls for a trickster (Jack Lemmon) who pretends to market Dolly's medicinal draughts she blames her sister for her disappointment. Dolly and the other subjugated members of the household seek shelter in a tree-house. An old judge (Walter Matthau) who feels some affection for Dolly joins them...

When Truman Capote's autobiographic novel was published in 1951 the literary critics wrote that it was poetry. It seemed so pure and unadulterated. So american. Especially when compared with all this nihilist and existentialist stuff post-war Europe had to offer. Besides: they didn't have THE WALTONS then. This know-all family had at least a backbone. The film THE GRASS HARP has none. Not everything is bad. It has a feeling for the thirties atmosphere, some nice views of the countryside, and Piper Laurie's performance is heartfelt and deeply moving. But all this is not enough to save the film. Walter Matthau is just as indifferent and gloomy as in the - equally unwatchable - THE MARRIAGE FOOL. Mary Steenburgen delivers a routine evangelist-Aimee-Semple-Macpherson performance. Jack Lemmon - the only reason why I watched this film at all - appears, looks snappy in his outfit, plays a self-composed song on the piano and disappears. A cameo. Sissy Spacek seems downright piqued: She used to play Laurie's daughter in CARRIE and Lemmon's daughter in law in MISSING. And now they play her younger-looking sister and her cheating boyfriend. On the other hand, it takes courage from a sympathetic woman like Spacek to portray such an unpleasant character. Director Charles Matthau is the son of a rich filmstar. His parents adored him and when he decided to become a director his father gave him every conceivable assistance. Famous actors (Daddy's friends) worked in his films for a fraction of their usual salary (those who gave him the nepotism award over all the other star kids knew whom they chose). Why is it that one of the most privileged persons on this planet makes such depressing films? Watch THE GRASS HARP if you want, but it you need psychotherapy afterwards to keep you from jumping off a bridge - send your bill to Mr. Charles Matthau.

A Film for the Viewer With a Heart
This is one of my favorite films-not due to grand production values, or staying true to the novella, but because it packs such a powerful punch in the lesson of what life is really about. Certainly worth watching, but not really a film for shallow critical types.

An Undiscovered Gem
One of the best films EVER made. Hypnotic, beautifully acted and photographed, treasure. Sure to inspire, amuse, and forever change anyone who opens their heart to this stunning film. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Matthau and Burnett Rule!!
Walter Matthau(One of his last films)and Carol Burnett rule in this great movie!!It's highly recommended!!Walter Matthau,we all dearly love and miss you!!! ... Read more

Reviews (3)

A CAMP CLASSIC
Adam West is a hoot! Darrin Star's (Sex In The City) best writing sparkles under Charlie Matthau's (Walter's son) knowing direction. A witty, funny, and charming film that was made for no money, and is a treasure waiting to be discovered.

Timothy Patrick Murphy Fan
Silly 80s teen comedy directed with an unsteady hand by Walter Matthau's son Charles. Strange that a film that borrows so much stylistically from the B52s uses none of their music. Sadly the final film appearance of the late Timothy Patrick Murphy, which is really the only reason to see it.

Adam West doesn't need a cape!
Doin' time is a funny and moving story of one teenager's attempts to fit in not only with his peers- but with the universe. Along the way he gets a lot of advise and meets new and interesting friends(?)such as Adam West. This is Charles Matthau's directorial debut, and he artfully leads the characters and audience in a dance of maybes and might-have-beens all the way to the end. Humor abounds as everyday occurences are seen through a boy who just may be doing time on planet Earth. ... Read more

Reviews (14)

Excellent Film
This is one of the best film I have watched. Although many of the novel's great moments was absent from the movie, it was rescued by the fine acting by the group of veteran actors, particularly Piper Laurie, Sissy Spacek and Nell Carter. I must watched this film more that 5 times already and I'm still not stopping.

Everyone wants the same thing out of life.
This movie tels the story of a boy who is sent to live with his aunts after the death of his mother. It's unique characters allow this heartwarming story to come to life. A little slow moving at times, but with just enough zanniness to keep me interested. It shows that though people may be different, we are actually all very much the same deep down and all want the same thing - to be loved.

Hollywood's Nepotism Award goes to - Charles Matthau!
A boy grows up in the thirties. Collin Fenwick (Edward Furlong) feels attachment to his aunt Dolly (Piper Laurie), a good-natured, warm-hearted, somewhat fidgety woman. But her domineering sister Verena (Sissy Spacek) considers Dolly unfit for life. In her eyes she is not presentable and she feels ashamed for her. When Verena falls for a trickster (Jack Lemmon) who pretends to market Dolly's medicinal draughts she blames her sister for her disappointment. Dolly and the other subjugated members of the household seek shelter in a tree-house. An old judge (Walter Matthau) who feels some affection for Dolly joins them...

When Truman Capote's autobiographic novel was published in 1951 the literary critics wrote that it was poetry. It seemed so pure and unadulterated. So american. Especially when compared with all this nihilist and existentialist stuff post-war Europe had to offer. Besides: they didn't have THE WALTONS then. This know-all family had at least a backbone. The film THE GRASS HARP has none. Not everything is bad. It has a feeling for the thirties atmosphere, some nice views of the countryside, and Piper Laurie's performance is heartfelt and deeply moving. But all this is not enough to save the film. Walter Matthau is just as indifferent and gloomy as in the - equally unwatchable - THE MARRIAGE FOOL. Mary Steenburgen delivers a routine evangelist-Aimee-Semple-Macpherson performance. Jack Lemmon - the only reason why I watched this film at all - appears, looks snappy in his outfit, plays a self-composed song on the piano and disappears. A cameo. Sissy Spacek seems downright piqued: She used to play Laurie's daughter in CARRIE and Lemmon's daughter in law in MISSING. And now they play her younger-looking sister and her cheating boyfriend. On the other hand, it takes courage from a sympathetic woman like Spacek to portray such an unpleasant character. Director Charles Matthau is the son of a rich filmstar. His parents adored him and when he decided to become a director his father gave him every conceivable assistance. Famous actors (Daddy's friends) worked in his films for a fraction of their usual salary (those who gave him the nepotism award over all the other star kids knew whom they chose). Why is it that one of the most privileged persons on this planet makes such depressing films? Watch THE GRASS HARP if you want, but it you need psychotherapy afterwards to keep you from jumping off a bridge - send your bill to Mr. Charles Matthau.

A Film for the Viewer With a Heart
This is one of my favorite films-not due to grand production values, or staying true to the novella, but because it packs such a powerful punch in the lesson of what life is really about. Certainly worth watching, but not really a film for shallow critical types.

An Undiscovered Gem
One of the best films EVER made. Hypnotic, beautifully acted and photographed, treasure. Sure to inspire, amuse, and forever change anyone who opens their heart to this stunning film. ... Read more