Wonderful Movie

Excellent but underrated film

It’s not bad or unwatchable but despite the amplitude of the spectacle, the end result is underwhelming.

The movie's not perfect, but it sticks the landing of its message. It was engaging - thrilling at times - and I personally thought it was a great time.

I first watched this in the early 90's several times. I was profoundly impressed and affected by the writing and acting in several scenes with Diane Ladd. I wont give it away, but what she said and how she said it to Robert Duvall (her husband) and the Dr. was profound feminism and humanism. And his loyalty and devotion to his wife makes him do the right thing. Should be shown in classes about sexism and projection. Otherwise, generally a good film and fresh. Glad to see it available to buy on Itunes. A must see for the reasons I bring up. I am not sure what I said is a spoiler, so just in case, I said so to be safe.

Rose (Laura Dern) is taken in by the Hillyer family to serve as a 1930s housemaid so that she can avoid falling into a life of prostitution. Rose's appearance and personality is such that all men fall for her, and Rose knows it.Some of this film is a little bit scandalous. I won't say what parts, but if you've seen it, you know exactly what I'm talking about. Perhaps there ought to be laws about certain things (though this was the 1930s and people didn't care back then).Laura Dern has made a nice career out of quirky roles. She may be best known for "Jurassic Park", but she has not shied away from David Lynch and others. I don't know the films of Martha Coolidge, but after seeing this one, I think maybe I ought to look for more.

Buddy recalls the Great Depression when Rose (Laura Dern) came to work for his family. She escaped prostitution in Birmingham to be the domestic servant. Kindly mother Hillyer (Diane Ladd) is partly deaf and was orphaned young. Rose flirts with father Hillyer (Robert Duvall) but he rebuffs her. Young Buddy (Lukas Haas) has a sexual encounter with Rose. She is desperate to stay and convinces him to keep it a secret. She continues to be flirtatious with the town's men. Father wants to send Rose away while mother argues to keep her.This is a nostalgic jazzy rambling reminiscence of a compelling character. My only problem is that this movie takes a light tone making this almost a fable. Despite the childhood point of view, it needs to go for a darker mood to fit this sexualized tragedy. Director Martha Coolidge is caught between making a kid's coming of age journey and a young woman's walk on a dangerous tight rope. The light airy mood keeps the darker material at a distance.

I haven't seen this film in quite a while but I have pretty good memories about it. It's an intriguing film, something different and appealing even though some of the subject matter is "inappropriate."I saw the last word because it involves a 13-year-old boy whose hormones are raging and his brief relationship with a grown woman. There is one sex scene that may make people squirm a bit, so be forewarned. Other than that, I don't remember anything else objectionable.I like the photography and always enjoy seeing the old days - here it's the 1920s and 1930s - portrayed on today's films with the great cameramen and directors of today. Also, the South has some beautiful scenery that is eloquently on display here.The story is well-acted with real-life mother-daughter Diane Ladd and Laura Dern, along with Robert Duvall and Lukas Haas. The latter plays the young man and was already somewhat of a star after playing the young Amish boy in the 1985 film "Witness." Duvall is one of the finest actors of his generation so you always get a good performance out of him.This is a pretty low-key story but never puts you to sleep. Modern day feminists might like this film was Ladd plays that role to the hilt. Dern also delivered, making a very believable "Rose."