This is a movie about a South Carolina family. And about the southern way of dealing with pain. Nick Nolte plays a man whose life is falling apart and he doesn't know how to put it back together. Upon hearing that his sister has tried to commit suicide, he flys to New York to help give her shrink some background to help her out. Let me split this review into two different pieces.
Nick Nolte is very good in this movie. The story he tells is compelling and convincing. At times his anger is almost over the top but not quite too much. But any slight acting sins are made up for in his confession scene. His quiet admission of shame is probably what earned this movie a Best Picture nominee.
Two other good pieces of this film are the performance of George Carlin as the sister's concerned neighbor and the musical score. Carlin pulls together a quiet supporting role that helps painting the picture without a hint of 'Hey, Look at ME' that some other comedians bring to their roles. And the score is lush and effective.
And now, for what didn't work. This movie tries desperatly to convince you that Barbara Streisand is the most attractive woman in the world. The script is a constant barrage of compliments to her. Nolte practically trips over his tounge from the first time he sees her. Her camera shots are sometimes fuzzy as if to show off her angelic nature. Unfortunately, her eternal beauty doesn't translate onto the film.
What makes all of this worse is that she directed this film. This part of the movie is a valentine to herself. This is almost 'Dances with Wolves Redux'. Damn your black heart, Barbara Streisand! Still...the movie works and works well. This is a good but not great movie.
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