Reviews (16)

Moral, moving, and marvellous movie...
Every doctor - and every patient! - should see this movie; the difference is that, not all doctors will understand *why* they should see it..

I use The Doctor when teaching my medical students how to avoid becoming a certain kind of doctor; the kind who is so detached from humanity that they never feel anything of the pain, fear - and the hope - that their patients feel. They have forgotten how to care, and they don't care to remember it.

This is a film about a medical `Everyman`; Jack (played by William Hurt with great integrity and skill)is redeemed as a human being - and as a doctor - by his own experience of serious illness, and by that of his friend - her death frees him from the blinkers of self-absorption. The scene where the two of them dance in the Nevada desert is breathtaking.

Supporting cast are excellent; especially Mandy Patinkin as Jack's unscrupulous surgical partner. Jack's initially dysfunctional family life is a central part of this movie, and the roles of his wife and son are well played.

The last scenes are amongst the best; especially where Jack is explaining to his interns why they are going to spend the next 24 hours not as doctors, but as hospital patients - wearing hospital gowns, undergoing all the appropriate tests, and (horror of horrors) eating hospital food.

The following and final scene is simply beautiful, as Jack stands on the roof of the hospital and dances by himself, revived and renewed.

Anyone involved in medical or healthcare education should have this video - and use it! Others should watch it to understand better what can happen to medical students along the way to becoming doctors.

beautiful film
William Hurt's performance as a cold and arrogant doctor who finds out he has cancer and gets a lesson of life is wonderful(no surprise) as well as the whole cast including Elizabeth Perkins,Christine Lahti,Mandy Patinkin,Adam Arkin(yes, the doctors of chicago hope).Then you think: "but it's a doctor film" but actually this film is for all audiences not only for doctors. The scene where he gets a letter from a patient(Elizabeth Perkins)and he reads it on the roof of the hospital with pigeons flying is so beautiful and I couldn't hold the tears from tumbling down.

THE MOVIE THAT KILLED M.A.S.H.
The Doctor was another of those excellent, well-made 1990-91 releases pre-empted by laser-guided bombs and missiles of the 1990 Gulf War and forced into the video occult. But that's not stopped it from a second chance via DVD where it may get well-deserved recognition and revenues for each actor and crew's excellent contributions.
The cast drove home messages that health care professionals need take a good look at "because one day you'll be sick to" ... So "physician, heal thyself" and thereby prepare to heal others all the way down to your bedside manners. The Word is eventually sent via Jack McKee and partner whose cavalier professionalism ("Get in, cut it out and couldn't care less!") is callously unsuited to genuine warmth patients need communicated to them. And then there's the insurance companies who, like them, run on "stats" and "the bottom line" to coldly determine who lives and dies on the medical production line.
You don't know what it's like until you hear those 3 words "You've got cancer"; they'll floor you -especially if you're a physician who knows the realities of catastrophic illness. So "a taste of my own medicine" (subtitle to book movie is based on) engages McKee when he's told that. I've walked hospital hallways like McKee on the way to radiation therapy and sat with the terminally ill, knowing I'd likely survive (Or would I?) and that others were terminal, and encountered my own death watch. The disingenuous reassurance McKee gave others is sheer hypocrisy and his facetious talk of golf antagonizes "the herd," whom he'd felt beneath his ivory tower profession and HIS herd of incompetents. But now, his relation with a dying patient, whom he actually befriends, turns him inward and he admits his and the profession's shortcomings - then he falls out of love with himself - all too late to save her but soon enough to save himself and his family from the same callousness engulfing all but a few.
It sends a strong message to those who profit from medicine at the deadliest expense to others whom it's supposed to save! My only complaint is that Amazon.com hasn't mailed me my DVD of it yet. How long will it take?

A dose of your own medicine
After getting over the initial shock of seeing half the cast of Chicago Hope (when it was still a good show...and not the pale imitation of itself that it later became: Alan Arkin, Mandy Patinkin, Christine Lahti), this movie evolves into a fine, quiet, character driven drama. There are no great heroics, apart from June (Elizabeth Perkins), and even those are real, not manipulative, cliched, corny or obvious.

This is a movie that works to develop its characters and plot simultaneously and without artifice or obvious (groanable/cringe inducing) plot devices. None of them are in anwyay what you would call 'extreme' or cliched. They are just very normal people placed is a very stressful situation- the doctor being diagnosed with a growth in his throat and the changes in many lives this growth causes. The changes are both good, bad and 'educational' for most of them. The subplot- hospitals, statistics, malpractice cases, protecting each other- is subdued, never moralized or sermonized on but explored in a way whereby you can make your own judgements, based on some realistics situations (imagine a situation where somebody's life was worth less than $1000). The cast compliment each other and really connect. This movie is quite subtle at times and doesn't use in your face methods to make a point.

This is a movie then that is honest, beautifully made, accessible and at times really funny, and at times really raw and saddening. It isn't an episode of ER. So if you're looking for high medical drama look elsewhere. But if you're looking for real multi-layered human drama then look here. Honesty is the key word and theme in the movie (which if you watch it you'll understand what I mean). Honesty to oneself, others and just to the concept in general. And how too, sometimes we find spiritual and psychological 'healing' in the midst of the greatest physical peril.

The DVD contains no special features, only the movie, scene selection and set-up. Though it was made in 1990, it doesn't look too dated (apart from the cell-phones).

I have to admit watching this movie, I looked at the clock on the DVD player and actually hoped it wouldn't end. How many movies can you say that about?

I think the best moment in the story is when the doctor reads the story June gave him. I think there is a lesson in that that is relevant to all of us. Hopefully you'll get the opportunity to see what I mean by watching this movie.

SO in all, a brilliant, engrossing, poignant and real human drama built around believeable characters doing normal things and suffering typical tragedies that are enormous in our own lives. These are people we can understand and relate to, not the superficial and stereotypical larger-than-life, weirder-than-fiction characters designed to play with our minds and strum on our heartstrings. These people do touch your heart and mind for the right reasons...And maybe, if only for a moment, it causes you to question and reassess how you deal with others and the face you present the world, then maybe it has helped heal you a little bit too...If you need it, as most of us do.

One of my favorite films
"The Doctor" is one of my favorite films. I have seen it maybe 10 times (on VHS) and know much of it by heart. There is nothing artificial about this film. It is a human story about real people, well directed and edited, and with sincere, fleshed-out performances from everyone in the cast.

At the opening we see the successful heart surgeon Dr. Jack McKee, quite full of himself, performing another major operation while "Let's Get Drunk and Screw" plays in the background. We see him as he makes his rounds, failing in his attempts to interact on a human level with his patients, substituting crude attempts at humor for genuine compassion. We see him failing at home as well, as his professional life alienates him from his wife and son. All this begins to change when a seemingly minor throat irritation is diagnosed as laryngeal cancer. Then he learns what it is like to be on the other side of the medical profession, and it changes his life.

William Hurt, a fine but perhaps somewhat limited actor, is perfect as Jack McKee, and he is wonderfully supported by Christine Lahti, who plays his wife, and Elizabeth Perkins, who gives an amazing performance as June, a young woman with a grade 4 brain tumor who has a powerful impact on Hurt's character. June and Jack share a scene in the desert at sundown that gives me a lump in the throat every time.

Also worth mentioning are Wendy Tewson, who plays a rather nasty ENT surgeon who gives Jack a dose of his own medicine (so to speak), and Adam Arkin as Dr. Eli Blumfield, "the Rabbi", who has often been the butt of Jack's humor around the hospital, because he talks to his patients while they are anesthetized.

The Doctor is a film that illustrates the importance of treating people as human beings and not as objects or numbers on a chart. Highly recommended! (I've pre-ordered the DVD too.) ... Read more

Reviews (46)

One of my favorites this year
What a wonderful little gem of a movie, full of depth and heart and more than a few surprises. Leelee Sobieski plays against her blonde and generally beautiful stereotype in this film, appearing as a rather dark and depressed 17 year old teen (nicknamed J), complete with tattoos, black makeup and pierced skin. She is miserable at school, doesn't feel understood by her mother (Carol Kane in one of her best roles), stepfather or father. She has no friends. In short, she is alienated, desperately in need of someone she can relate to.
That someone turns out to be the last person you'd expect, a 49 year old men's clothing store owner named Randall (played by Albert Brooks). Although he is reluctant to hire her, he eventually gives in and the two become friends after a shakey start. Not that it is all smooth going. The two are so different that there's bound to be a few rough patches in their friendship, some occasions where they test one another (I don't want to give details for fear of spoiling the surprises).
Luckily this doesn't turn into another "older guy, younger girl" romance. Director Christine Lahti is too smart to things get so stereotypical - thank goodness. And she is also wise enough to let viewers discover the hidden depths in Randall and J, depths that might not surface if sex muddied the waters. Lahti also adds the special touches that make this movie a standout - humorous bits, personal details and an understated style that charms without being overwhelming. If you're looking for a movie that will touch your heart and leave you with a good feeling after watching it, you can't do better than this one.

Well maybe even 4 1/2 stars...
This is a wonderful and charming movie that really grabbed me emotionally & held on tight (hey, I'm an over-50 male). PLus what a cast! Albert Brooks, Carol Kane, Michael McKean & John Goodman! Wow, fun set. I've always liked Christine Lahti very very much as an actress & I hope she gets a lot of work as a director because she's done a terrific job.

The major kudos must go, in my book, to Albert Brooks. What a wonderful performance he gives. A complete, funny, vulnerable, humorous, self-deprecating grown-up guy. Boy if anyone deserved an oscar in the year this movie came out, he did. But he's always been at the pinnacle of whatever he was doing, way back to when he was a ventriloquist on the Tonight show & talked while his dummy drank!

I love you Albert. You're a real Albert Einstein!

I did hold back a star or so because some of the subsidiary male characters annoyed me. I felt the writing of the John Goodman character & of Randy who shows up later was a real cheap "men-are-all-bozos" shot. Not worthy of the rest of the film.

Life Changing Movie
One of the best movies I've ever seen. Well written, well directed, and very moving. An extremely relevant and serious subject. Wonderful combination of heartfelt emotions and wit. I made my 15 year old daughter sit down and watch it with me!

GREAT GREAT GREAT
I'm short on words, but this movie is Great. Both Albert and Leelee are wonderful. This is truly a film about life and the wonder of it all. Experience life and watch this movie.

simply great
I had never heard about this movie before I came across it at the video store. After seeing just the first 10 minutes I was immediately hooked. The beginning was so fun, especially the line about Ashley's and Codys. Haha. Yeah, but then as I got further into the film I realized how heartfelt and refreshing it was. I cried so hard for the entire last half hour. It was so great.

Watch this movie, you won't regret it! ... Read more

Description

Matthew Modine (ANY GIVEN SUNDAY) stars as Joe Slovak, a brilliant first-year med student whose casual, nonconforming approach to life gets tested when he enrolls in gross anatomy, the toughest course in med school. Joe's freewheeling, independent style creates funny moments in the classroom, but puts him at odds with his demanding professor (Christina Lahti, HIDEAWAY), who questions whether her class "rebel" has what it takes to be a doctor. On top of that, Joe falls in love with his no-nonsense lab partner (Daphne Zuniga -- THE SURE THING, TV's MELROSE PLACE), who won't let anything, especially romance, interfere with her plans. And while Joe's never done anything by the book, he proves he does have what it takes to succeed -- without changing his ways! ... Read more

Reviews (14)

A natural portrayal of character
You won't get large explosions, incredible lines, or wonderful camera work in "Gross Anatomy". What you will get, though, is a beautiful and realistic character portrayal of five clean cut kids who are trying to achieve the dream of thousands of students in this country: To become wonderful med students.

Matt Modine has to be one of the most underrated actors in Hollywood. In this film, his development is staggering. From the moment you see him, you think "this kid is special". To see this beauty materialize during the course of the movie is unforgettable.

The film does a superb job of juxtaposing Christine Lahti's character (Dr. Woodruff) with Modine's. You can understand her dream of making her "best students into top doctors" and how Modine may fit this role. Modine's medical partners do a fine job of depicting some of the other practical problems that first year medical students may face.

Overall, this is a highly entertaining film that will leave the thoughtful viewer thinking about his own character development, perhaps juxtaposing it against one of the several fine characters in this film.

Perhaps the most underrated film of all time.
I am always disturbed to see the lack of recognition which "Gross Anatomy" has suffered. It is in my opinion one of the best films ever produced. The humour is good, but more significant is the character development which is so perceptive and subtle. It is certainly worth seeing, unfortunately it appears to be unavailable.

The best med movie ever!
For my opinion the year of 1989 it has been one of the most exciting years in the history of cinema. Three movies from this particular year changed my life. First Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, second Dead Poets Society and third is Gross Anatomy. the last one i saw it the first time in TV but i loved it right away. This movie mixtures two of my favorite items. Colleges and relationships. It has believable and true characters and most of all it has Daphne Zunigha. Its directory it is honest and modest but above all some melancholy corresses the story. I think the character Matthew Modine plays is a genious who he dosen't know he is genious. I loved it and i am waiting for the european edition of the movie because i cant buy it yet.
Dont miss it either youare med student or not...

Don't Watch This Unless You Care About Medical School
The only people I know who've even heard of this movie are med students and aspiring med students. I'll be starting medical school in a few months, myself, so I can't say that I'm any different. That's what initially drew me to the movie, and maybe that's the reason why I liked it.

This movie has Matthew Modine playing a first year medical student named Joe Slovak. He's the antithesis of everything that a stereotypical med student is perceived to be. He's laid back, worldly, handsome, and not especially self-serving. At first I thought his character would be in the style of Robin Williams in "Patch Adams", where he'd end up being the rebel who believed that medicine lacked humanity and would lead a crusade to somehow change things for the better. However, he doesn't really seem to care about people enough to make such a change. While this apathetic lack of motivation might be realistic, it certainly doesn't make for a colorful character in a movie. He is surrounded by four other med students who, as any movie about medical school would require, are all driven to excel and are vilified as a result. The movie tells how these five people worked together to get through their first year in school. All the typical elements are here: cut-throat competitiveness, jealousy, elitism, ways of dealing with stress, and of course, the obligatory subplot involving the budding romance between two lab partners.

If you're thinking about going to medical school, don't use this movie to decide whether it's a good idea. It won't sway your opinion in any particular direction. However, aside from the way in which the characters are skewed, this movie will give you a good idea of what medical school might be like. Though, if you're just looking for a movie to provide you with entertainment, this isn't what you want. Go watch "Patch Adams" instead. It's of the same genre, and it's better. Unless you're medically inclined, I don't recommend this movie.

No Special Features
If you read all the reviews of this film below based on the VHS version, you'll see it is one of the more enjoyable films of the late 1980s. Everything said about it is correct, and I stand by the praise I gave it as well.
I just wanted to alert viewers of the DVD, however, that there are NO special features. It's a bit odd for a DVD not to have any, but that explains why this is is so inexpensive.
Of course, the nice thing is, it's widescreen, so you can see the full picture. ... Read more

Reviews (21)

Tips The Scales Of Justice
Norman Jewison's 1979 ...AND JUSTICE FOR ALL is a satirical drama that looks at our judicial system. Lawyer Arthur Kirkland (Al Pacino)is put under considerable pressure to defend a well liked judge (John Forsythe), against charges of beating and raping a young girl. The only problem is that Arthur knows he's guilty and doesn't want to defend him. The final courtroom scene in the film will leave you with quite an impression. There is also a wonderful performance from the legendary Lee Strasberg as Arthur's Grandfather. Character actor Jack Warden plays an eccentric judge, who thinks suicide is the only answer. The script is filled with a lot of good moments. It was written by Valerie Curtain and future RAINMAN director, Barry Levinson. Jewison gets Oscar an nominated performance from Pacino that is tops and is among his most notable.

The DVD has an o.k. audio commentary from the director and a few trailers as extras. This film is a must have for fans of Pacino. This is not your typical courtroom movie and will leave you with lots to think about. Viewers have the choice to see the film in either the widescreen or pan and scan formats. Recommended

Pacino shines in courtroom satire
Ever since watching the Godfather films I've been a huge Al Pacino fan. His amazing over-the-top performance in the courtroom scene at the end is what makes this unsympathetic look at our criminal justice system so memorable. However, I agree with other reviewers that the plot is slow at times & the movie wavers uncomfortably between comedy & drama. The humor is at times a little too forced & the disco music doesn't help. One of the things I really enjoyed was seeing the great Lee Strasberg play Pacino's grandfather. Remember Godfather Part 2 when Pacino had Strasberg "taken out"? I only wish they could've made more films together. The great cast also includes John Forsythe (who plays a TOTALLY unlikable villian), & Jack Warden, whose suicidal antics get annoying after a while. Of course, it's Pacino that makes this movie so entertaining & so watchable 25 years later. While it's no masterpiece I still highly recommend it to Al Pacino fans (& especially lawyers!).

Al Pacinio is GOD!
The movie over all was good. Nothing I would want to see again. But Al Pacino's part is amazing. His character is strong and crazy. (Something that is perfect for Pacino.) I would recamend this movie, just for Al pacino's preformance. NOt really for the story line.

"There's something funny goin' on..."
The title of Dave Grusin's theme song aptly sums up this movie: The music may sound cheesy at times, but remember this film was made in the late 70s. As stated in his commentary, Jewison wanted a cheesy psuedo-disco to reflect the satrical nature of the film.

The origins of Al Pacino's over the top acting style has to be traced to this film, especially in the court room scene. Another great line in his speech has to be "The DA is not going to get him,
I'M GOING TO GET HIM!!" At times, the movie doesn't know if it wants to be a pure comedy or pure drama, but there are enough great moments that make this film an enjoyable experience.

it didn't really work for me
i really do like Al Pacino, and this film has great satire on our country's leagal system, but i found the movie to be rather slow. the script almost seemed incohesive at times: at one moment, he is telling a woman of his frustration with the legal system, then he is taking a dangerous helicopter ride with a judge and then he is defending a drag queen who had last been seen at the very beginning of the movie. i also enjoy watching Jack Warden act, but his character in this movie did not seem real or natural at all.

the DVD doesn't have too many whistles or bells, but there is a director commentary, so that scores some points.

i did not enjoy this movie, but if you are a diehard Pacino fanatic and want to see everything he has done, go ahead and watch it. ... Read more

Description

In Out of the Ashes, one woman is forced to choose between two horrifying acts of evil, and ultimately finds the courage to make the right choice.Based on actual events that occurred during World War II that chronicles the life of Dr. Gisella Perl, a woman who lost her entire family and was forced to start life over in America. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Powerful
This is a not-to-be-missed movie. Exceptionally moving and powerful. Lahti is extraordinarily wonderful in her portrayal of Dr. Perl. Ultimately, this is a movie about life, hope, atonement, and courage.

A Dark and Moving Moment of History and Consequences
OUT OF THE ASHES was released last year as a film for television and fortunately it is now available on DVD for extended audience exposure. Directed by Joseph Sargent and based on the autobiography of Dr. Gisella Perl, this film is about the survival of a physician (Dr. Perl) so compassionate in her dedication to her fellow inmates at Auschwitz that, knowing pregnant Jews were among the first to be cremated in the Nazi ovens, knowingly performed numerous abortions and in doing so saved the lives of countless women. As if her rigors of survival in the concentration camps and her loss of her family to the Nazis weren't enough, she immigrated to the United States for refuge, served in menial medical tasks until she was able to take and pass her exams for medical licensure only to face a panel of folk who declare her a criminal for her role in the concentration camps and make every attempt to prevent her from practicing medicine in the USA. How she survives all of this constitutes the message of this powerful film, but to divulge the ending would diminish the impact for the new viewer. As Dr. Perl, Christine Lahti (one of our most underused and finest actresses) gives a wholly credible, sensitive portrayal: her character remains etched on our minds long after the film is finished. Also in this excellent cast are Richard Crenna, Bruce Davidson, and Beau Bridges among many others in small but pungent roles. Highly recommended.

Christine Lathi Gives A Moving and Powerful Performance
This made-for-tv movie by Showtime is based on the autobiography of Dr. Gisella Perl, a Holocaust Survivor who lost her husband, her son, and along with her entire family when they were deported to Auschwitz from Hungary in 1944. Ms. Lahti give a powerful pand moving erformance portraying Dr. Perl who risked her life to secretly perform abortions on expectant mothers to save them from being sent to the gas chambers at Auschwitz only to have her actions questioned later on when she is attempting to gain citizenship and be able to practice medicine in America. Ms. Lahti turns in an outstanding performance and this is one movie not to be missed. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Some minor flaws but a good story
I was riveted to this film the first time I saw it. I loved the period piece and the authenticity of the time they were capturing. My dad and mom both agreed it kept with the time. I especially loved the Rosie the Riveter aspect, as that character always intrigued me and Goldie does an excellent job in filling that role. This type of setting and story probably happened hundreds of times across the US during the Pearl Harbor days. Maybe others feel it wraps up too pat (like a typical Hollywood ending) but I felt it was true to what probably happened in those days. I love this film for all the marvelous acting and pairing Goldie with Kurt was great casting. They do it again in Overboard, another often overlooked Goldie film. I would recommend this film for anyone who likes historical fiction and who enjoys Goldie & Kurt.

Not great, but has several strengths
This is the story of a woman, played by Goldie Hawn, whose husband goes off to fight in World War II, and she goes to work in a factory. There she meets Kurt Russell, and sparks fly. The romance story is interwoven with the theme of women entering the U.S. work-force in large numbers.

The strengths of the film lie in the acting of Goldie Hawn, Kurt Russell, and especially Christine Lahti, who played Hawn's best friend. Another strength is the atmosphere created. My father was born in 1924 and served in WWII. He and several of his Army buddies have seen this film, separately, and all made the same comment: the clothes, the cars, the language, the buildings, the everything is very, very authentic, and the feel of WWII was very accurately recreated.

The film's weakness is its disjointed script, which I understand underwent several rewrites. That's a shame, as all the ingredients were here for a great movie. It's still a good movie, though.

Good (not great) WWII story with good performances
You may have heard how the original cut of this film was considered great until Goldie Hawn demanded re-shooting to further elevate her character's story. Regardless, it still is a fun movie to watch.

Jonathan Demme re-creates a very believable 1940's Santa Monica, CA and the lives of the women who worked in the war factories. Everyone in this film delivers the goods - including Hawn, but Christine Lahti literally steals the show (despite Goldie's re-takes) as the dance hall singer turned riveter. I loved all the scenes inside the airplane factory where they work. Not only do we have Hawn, Lahti and Kurt Russell, but a great supporting cast including Holly Hunter, Ed Harris, Sudie Bond and Fred Ward.

great WWII movie
I love this movie. If you like movies set in wwII you will love this. It gives the point of view from a woman(Goldie Hawn) what it's like when her husband goes off to war. She gets a job building airplanes and makes some new friends while her husbands away at war. I hope I helped.

WW II Melodrama
The movie is a take-off on the WWII legendary "Rosie the Riveter".It begins with the broadcast of the attack on Pearl Harbor.An ordinary working Joe returns to his home somewhere in Southern California to his loving wife(Goldie Hawn).He then tells his tearful spouse that it was his duty to fight the Japanese. She swears eternal devotion and faithfulness until his return. After all young men have gone to join the fight an aircraft plant needs riveters and pleads for women to come to work.Goldie Hawn and it seems all women go to work at the plant. Hawn is is then romantically persued by a young supervisor,resists on moral grounds but eventually out of bordoom and loneliness falls in love with him.Predictably there are recriminations and accusations the morning after.Subsequently the husband comes home on leave,finds out,is crushed and goes back to fight the war. The lover has then an affair with Goldie Hawn's best friend and it is now her turn to fall to pieces.Eventually the war is over, the husband returns,the wife confesses her shame and begs to be forgiven.He relents and forgives,the wife forgives her best friend,the lover goes away to New York and everything is hanky- dory. The screeplay is a heap of stale devices and familiar screen constructions.Sentimental:The farewell scene of husband and wife and the notification of the death of a Marine husband to a fellow riveter.Bravura:Narrow escape and the saving of life of her best friend by Goldie Hawn.Technical:Boring instruction on riveting,endles fly- overs of planes,real or made to look real excerpts of newsreels. The plot is faithful to the working-class identity of the forties and the characters and the story do not hide it.This maybe inten- ded and makes the movie appear to be realistic but ultimately boring. The film may be interesting to people who have not lived in that span of time or to those who have for nostalgic reasons. ... Read more

Amazon.com essential video

It's difficult to watch this involving family drama and not end up madat River Phoenix. He was such an incredibly talented, believable, available actor that it makes you mad at him for leaving us so soon.He's particularly good here as Danny, a talented musician and the eldest son of a couple of former war protestors (Christine Lahti and Judd Hirsch).Their bombing of a napalm plant during the Vietnam War makes their small, nuclear family act as fugitives, never letting themselves settle down, never leaving traces, one step ahead of the law. This works for the splinter group of rebels until Danny meets a teacher who believes in his talent, and meets the teacher's daughter, Lorna (played by Martha Plimpton).Danny's love for Lorna and his aspirations to attend Juilliard put the family in jeopardy of finally being tracked down.It's saying something that in this impressive ensemble cast, ably directed by Sidney Lumet, Phoenix sticks out.He was an actor whose tank never would have run out. --Keith Simanton ... Read more

Reviews (40)

Sincere, poignant, moving drama
This is doubtlessly one of the most underrated movies out there. The entire cast is just flawless. I watch this DVD and find myself truly saddened that such a talent as River Phoenix was so needlessly lost. Phoenix earned a well-deserved Oscar nomination for his role as Danny Pope, the undisputable emotional center of this movie. His performance was superlative. To me, this is one of the two or three highest points of Phoenix's all-too-short career; probably the top of the list, actually, in my opinion. His interplay with Judd Hirsch, the piano scene with Christine Lahti, the amazing chemistry with Martha Plimpton -- it really is just spellbinding. Christine Lahti is completely incredible as Annie Pope and the restaurant scene with her father is just devastating. I can't think of another word. Every time I watch it, I'm almost overwhelmed. Like many other reviewers, I applaud the absolutely perfect inclusion of James Taylor's "Fire and Rain" into the movie -- it just flat-out worked. Honestly, if you haven't seen this movie, treat yourself. It's a masterpiece.

Deserves a Special Edition
"Running on Empty" is a genuinely affecting film whose merits have been forgotten in the years since its release. In this tale about a family on the run from the law, the three leads register strong, memorable performances. The late River Phoenix is excellent, and he earned a Supporting Actor Oscar nomination for this role, which was to be a highlight of his tragically short career.

On this DVD, the movie is presented in full frame (square, as in not letterboxed), which may be disappointing to some. However, "Running on Empty" was initially shot full frame (or "flat") on 35mm and later matted to a 1:85 aspect ratio for theatrical release -- a common practice for a lot of films, including such big budget movies like "Jurassic Park" and "Back to the Future." When presented as full frame on television, the viewer is actually getting more of the image that was originally photographed than they would be if it were letterboxed.

That being said, film aficionados would've appreciated a widesreen DVD presentation that would've simulated the theatrical version. Plus, a widescreen DVD can be anamorphically enhanced for viewing on HD or HD-enhanced sets.

At the time of its original release, "Running on Empty" received critical praise and numerous awards, but the DVD has the scantest of bonus materials. (Interestingly, its screenwriter, Naomi Foner, is the mother of actors Jake and Maggie Gyllenhaal.) It would be great to hear the filmmakers and cast reflect on the production and working with River Phoenix. "Running on Empty" deserves the Special Edition treatment, but it stands alone and is definitely worth seeing, no matter the presentation.

A good movie
I enjoyed Running on Empty really because of River Phoenix. He is such an incredible actor and he really shows his acting skills in this movie. I also liked Martha Plimpton in this movie, she was very good.

A Genuine Tale.
It was my senior year when this film first hit the screens, and little did I know that I was about to witness one of the finest actors of my generation, River Phoenix, give the best performance of his career. He simply shines here, with so many touching moments that recalling them all has me overwhelmed with admiration and sadness. Seldom does any actor achieve this high a level of acting genious, let alone at River's young age. His performance here is truly remarkable, and I recommend owning this film for his work alone. But there is certainly more here to see. Judd Hirsch, of "Taxi" fame, is solid as River's father and shows both compassion and fortitude. Martha Plimpton, also in "The Mosquito Coast" with River Phoenix, is intelligent and plays off River's character so well that one can see the amazing chemistry they have written on the screen. But the other excellent performance here belongs to Christine Lahti. Her character is supportive of her family, but so many years on the run from the F.B.I. has made her weary. In every scene she has she shows an underlying fatigue that is breaking her down, even as she tries to hold on to her family as it begins to fracture. There is one scene, in particular, when she arranges "through the network" to see her father. She hasn't seen him in 14 years, the last when she was a young idealistic woman wanting to change the world and now a mother on the run trying to do what's best for her family. Her and her father exchange at least ten differnet emotions during the short scene, ultimately making it one of the most genuine moments in the movie. That's what this movie is, "geniune." All the characters are believably realistic and likable. It is truly a great experience when I care about every character in a film, and that happened here. The final scene is extraordinarily sad; and it was more so seeing River Phoenix standing alone with tears in his eyes. He was such a tremendous talent, and this film gives ample examples as to the genious of his craft. This is a great film with a phenomenal performance by the late River Phoenix.

C+
This is a film of a family on the run because the parents ( Christine Lahti and Judd Hirsh ) are radicals who started a fire that killed a man in the sixties. The film takes us on a journey of how their two sons ( River Phoenix, being one )deals with the situation. After a while the film gets very predictable. River's character has an amazing piano playing talent he wants to pursue. Meanwhile he falls in love with ( Martha Plimpton, the most annoying actress known to man ) and spills his guts about who his parents truly are. By the end River's character gets to live out his dreams of pursuing his career as a pianist while his family sadly agrees to leave him behind.

The acting was decent. The plot was dry and at times not believable. The family was supposed to be hiding from everyone around them yet when they wanted to do something outrageous ( like inviting Martha Plimpton to the mother's birthday party ) they did it with no questions asked. Christine Lahti held down her part as the mother. Judd Hirsh was a loud bore. He was way over the top and overacted like his life depended on it. River didn't knock my socks off either ( his mumbling nearly killed me ) but he was believable in his part. Martha Plimpton sucked as usual and I hated having to sit through her boring acting once again. All in all the film was okay. It's nothing to shout about and definitely nothing you HAVE to see. On the other hand it gives River Phoenix fans another chance to be touched by his grace. ... Read more

Reviews (28)

Hideaway is a horror/thriller could have been a lot better
Dean Koontz fans must know that Hideaway was the movie that Koontz himself hated. Well, Hideaway wasn't exactly a good movie, but neither was it terrible. It's problems could have been fixed and the film could have been a whole lot better.

The plot is about a man named Hatch Harrison (Jeff Goldblum) who dies in a car accident, and two hours later, is mysteriously revived. However, before there's much time for celebration, Hatch begins to have visions of himself killing attractive teenage girls. He begins to realize that he has some sort of psychic connection with a young man (Jeremy Sisto). Even more to Hatch's horror, he discovers this young man is infatuated with his daughter (Alicia Silverstone).

There's something about the bad special effects that really hurt this movie. I mean, it's very cheesy looking and makes the movie laughable. I will say that the plot begins promisingly but just turns into another slasher with a slight twist that isn't even really interesting since nothing's ever really explained.

Jeff Goldblum and Christine Lahti deliver good performances but their characters are underwritten and it makes it harder to like or even sympathize Goldblum. Silverstone and Sisto give performances that are easily forgettable while the latter is simply one of the unscariest horror villains around. This is a movie that doesn't amount to much after you're done watching and you'll probably forget most of the character's names the day after.

Dean Koontz novels aren't always great. I've never read Hideaway, so I can't compare it with the movie. For a good Koontz adaptation I recommend Phantoms. Not alone does that film have genuinely scary moments, the special effects are also much better.

Come out of the attic
Dean Koontz has a huge problem having faithful adaptations done from his novels to movies. "Hideaway" was one of the few good ones, even though it was severly re-imagined. Hatch Harrison (Jeff Goldblum) is in an accident where he is technically dead for a few minutes, and then revived. Now he seems to be psycicly connected to a psychopathic killer (who believes he's a real demon, due to a trip to Hell because of his own near death experiance), and can see what the killer is doing as he's doing it. As a result, Hatch and his wife and daughter (Christine Lahti and Alicia Silverstone) are now targeted. While this is the best Dean Koontz, he still dosn't get the respect of, say, Stephen King or Clive Barker (well, I guess that isn't fair; Barker directs his own movies), and so his book, which was a great medical thriller/horror novel, got radically changed. In the book the Harrison's adopt a crippled eight year old girl; here they have a teenaged daughter (I would have prefered a smaller girl instead of the too flirtatious Silverstone). Also the book took the time to really explaine Hatch's excentricities are giving a chance to believably escalate; here it happens so fast that it is understandable that his family are afraid of him all of a sudden. Jeff Goldblum is his usual qirky self here, charming as an intellgent everyman caught up in events larger than himself. Christine Lahti is alright, nothing special. Silverstone got on my nerves badly; she's played that cutesie role one too many times for my taste. The real standout performance was Jeremy Sisto in an early role as the killer Vassago. Though the movie has to eliminate a lot of back ground motivation for the character, there was a lot of surface menace and just oddity that really made him one of the more memorable villians. I still can't wait for the truelly faithful adaptation of a Dean Koontz novel; but "Hideaway" did the man justice.

Nothing to write home about
The 1995 film "Hideaway" was adapted from a novel written by Dean Koontz. As much as I enjoy reading horror novels, along with books from many other genres, I usually avoid Dean Koontz. I attempted to read "Mr. Murder" several years ago and failed to finish it. I finally got through one Koontz book, the highly readable and thoroughly enjoyable "Phantoms," roughly a year ago. As good as that book was, I still cannot bring myself to read another of his novels. Like the other author often mentioned in the same breath, Stephen King, many of Dean Koontz's books have found their way to the silver screen. And, like King, most of them tank immediately. This author does not have the track record King has. At least the Maine writer can point to "The Shawshank Redemption" or "Carrie" as proof that a few of his books succeeded in the difficult transition to film. Koontz, as far as I am aware of, cannot make the same claim. While "Hideaway" is not a truly awful picture, it is not a particularly great one either. I seem to recall it disappeared quickly from the theaters, doomed to perpetual existence in the gloomier shadows at the video store.

"Hideaway" is the story of the Harrison family. Patriarch Hatch (Jeff Goldblum), mother Lindsey (Christine Lahti), and daughter Regina (Alicia Silverstone) seem to encounter the typical problems all small families go through. Regina is at that age where she is a bit rebellious and whiny, but she is generally a good enough kid. Hatch and Lindsey seem to have a good careers as owners of some sort of antique store/ art gallery, careers that, if the movie is any indication, require about one hour of work a week. Tragedy strikes the Harrison family on a trip down a winding mountain road when Hatch swerves to avoid a truck. The car teeters on the edge of a sharp incline just long enough for Regina to exit the vehicle. Then the automobile bounces down the slope and splashes into a cold river. Hatch and Lindsey struggle to stay alive, but it is not enough. Lindsey, despite her best efforts, fails to keep Hatch breathing. By the time the couple arrives at the hospital, Hatch Harrison has been walking in the land of shadows for nearly two hours. Doctor Jonas Nyeburn (Alfred Molina) decides to rescuitate Goldblum's character and succeeds. Hatch goes home with his concerned family to continue living his life. But something changed in Harrison during the time he was gone. He claims he saw his deceased daughter on "the other side."

What's worse, he brought something back, a horrible power to see through the eyes of a serial killer preying on the city's youth. Hatch not only catches an occasional glimpse of terrible activities, he sometimes suffers the same sorts of physical injuries the killer does. A newspaper account of a heinous crime confirms one of Harrison's visions. Lindsey and Regina are in the dark about what is really going on, although Lindsey sees enough weirdness to insist on taking her husband back to Nyeburn for a check up. The doctor insists nothing is wrong, sort of, and Hatch once again tries to live his life. Once again, the disturbing visions return. Harrison gives into them fully this time, heading out in the car to try and find the guy, calling the police to report a murder he saw in a vision, and generally reducing Lindsey to a nervous wreck. Things take a turn for the worse when Hatch realizes the murderer, a young guy by the name of Vassago (Jeremy Sisto), is setting his sights on Regina. The rest of the film becomes a race to discover the location of Vassago in time to save Regina from disaster. Rae Dawn Chong shows up briefly as a nutty new age type named Rose Orwette, an incense burning and Tarot card reading gal who wants to help Goldblum's character locate this monster. The conclusion alternates between genuine suspense and unfettered cheesiness. The requisite plot revelation unfolds in the final minutes too.

As I watched "Hideaway," I could not help thinking how many times we have seen this type of movie before. Director Brett Leonard ("Lawnmower Man," "Virtuosity") falls back on the use of early computer animation effects in several scenes to show what the afterlife looks like. Didn't we see this in "Brainstorm"? Too, Vassago as a serial killer with his own creepy lair isn't that original considering movies from "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre" to "Silence of the Lambs" have done essentially the same thing. As for the acting, my girlfriend and I both thought Jeff Goldblum too weird for the role of Hatch Harrison. Don't get me wrong; Goldblum is remarkably restrained in his performance, but a restrained Jeff Goldblum is still weirder than ninety percent of the actors out there. Christine Lahti, for her part, gets little to do from the script except act concerned about her husband's increasing paranoia. Alicia Silverstone is, well, Alicia Silverstone. The best performance comes from Jeremy Sisto as Vassago, especially in those introductory scenes where he terrorizes his family. It's nice to see this actor in an early role before he went on to "May" and "Wrong Turn."

Extras on the disc include a featurette about the making of the film, a trailer, and an alternate ending that, while interesting, does not add much to the ultimate meaning of the film. I cannot conclude that "Hideaway" is a particularly bad film. It's not even close, in fact. I would consider it an average thriller, not really a horror film but not a science fiction picture either. Give it a shot if you like this sort of thing. Goldblum completists will of course wish to procure a copy. I'm just glad I rented it.

Read the book!
I might have almost liked this movie, if it'd been a low budget cable film. However, since I had read the book that it was supposedly based on, I hated it. As other reviewers have noted, Jeff Goldblum, while a fine actor, is just wrong in this role. Hatch is a very ordinary guy until he almost dies and is brought back to life. Ordinary is not a word I'd use to describe any of Goldblum's roles. Christine Lahti is just wasted. In the book, she was a strong character and her husband's equal. Changing Regina from an interesting ten year old to a moronic sixteen year old decreased what little suspense there was. But the single most annoying part of the movie was the half baked new age explanations that they had for everything. The novel is rooted in Christian symbolism. Good versus Evil. Hatch and "Vassago" were both brought back from the dead. One is evil, one is good. That's the whole point of the novel, and the final chapter makes that clear. You can not replace the Christianity of the novel with Rae Dawn Chong (although she was one of the better characters in the movie) reading Tarot cards.

Hideaway
Better than what I was expecting, Goldblum is always on top form no matter what the movie. This film is severly creepy, although the computer effects are quite rubbish the film is saved by good acting and a heavy metal soundtrack.
If your going to watch a Goldblum movie I'd reccoment the Fly, but this is always a good rental. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Funny About Love
Let me begin by saying that I read the review about this movie by "petershelley". WHOA! How could anyone be so opposite of everything this movie was about!! He does not have a clue and I mean not one about life, people, love, emotion, vulnerability and what it is really all about. This guy is so off base I actually pity what a superficial life he must live. He needs to get off his pedestal and get down here where the real people live. I believe that the performance by Gene Wilder was phenomenol and I could FEEL his pain when his wife walked out the door after their break-up. Knowing Mr. Wilder's history with his departed wife, Gilda Radner, one can only guess at his source of the emotion he exibited in that scene. No wonder I could feel it-I don't think you call that acting. I think it was real. Does Mr. Shelley know what it feels like to want to have a child and not be able to? I think not. If he did he would understand the motivation behind the actions of Duffy in the movie "Funny About Love". ANYONE who has been there knows that you CANNOT intellectualize about such a thing as Mr. Shelley does in his review. IT JUST IS. Christine Lahti's character represents so much of what it is to be a woman these days and try to be everything to everyone and not lose herself and her dreams and ambitions. She very much needed to know that Duffy loved her more than he loved the dream of having a child. That what we have in the here and now is all we really ever have, and even that is temporary. Mary Stuart Masterson of course brought so much humor to a really pretty sad situation. Because of her ability to love unconditionally she was able to give something extraordinary of herself to someone she loved and cared about without having to OWN that person. She was able, out of friendship or love, to fulfill the dream of another human being and complete his life. What greater gift is there on this earth? What an amazing movie, I loved every minute of it and can't believe it has taken it over 10 years to cross my path. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS MOVIE and of course "Immediate Family" is right up there with it. Alexis Baughman

Gene Wilder Rules In This Romantic Comedy!!
Gene Wilder rules in this romantic comedy also co-starring Christine Lahti.It's a must see!!

Duffy Bergman¿s biological clock is about to go off
This tale of Gene Wilder as a Gary Trudeau-like celebrity political humourist doesn't work as comedy, drama or romance. The screenplay by Norman Steinberg and David Frankel is based on an Esquire article by Bob Greene entitled Convention of the Love Goddesses, which is represented by Wilder speaking at an all female college, declaring that men are "self-pitying" and in awe of women. However this hardly qualifies as feminism, which director Leonard Nimoy amusingly plays with by having Wilder's car pass a line of phallic trees. The only relationship he seems to have with a woman where Wilder isn't controlling or negative is his affair with the much younger Mary Stuart Masterson, and even this is invalidated by his unwillingness to declare his emotion, echoed in Sotto Voce being the name of a featured restaurant.
The main romance here is with Christine Lahti. At first her disinterest in him gives her some strength. She is a waitress at a book signing event of his yet unimpressed with his fame. However wardrobe dress her in Annie Hall-wear and soon she is revealed to be self-consciously weak, which diminishes Lahti's otherwise appealing qualities. The inability of the couple to bear a child sours their relationship, and Lahti bears the teary-eyed guilt.
What is noticable about the treatment is the parallels to be made with Woody Allen movies, specifically Annie Hall and Manhattan. Masterson is a bad driver like Diane Keaton was, and swears the way Keaton did in Manhattan, and the age difference recalls Allen and Mariel Hemmingway. Wilder too gets his share of arrogant jokes at the expense of others, and has Allen's ability to extend his performance beyond the comic persona. His reductive James Cagney imitation is about the only thing I liked.
At first Nimoy paces at a clip, aided by the music score of Miles Goodman, but soon the timing comes to a holt and we're left stranded with people we'd rather do without. It's not encouraging that Anne Jackson as Wilder's acerbic mother is quickly disposed of. The treatment's continued coverage of Lahti telegraphs events, and only the most desperate of romantics can be pleased with the conclusion. ... Read more

Amazon.com

An impressive cast throws their combined actorly muscle behind thisexploration of the war of the sexes. Michael (Joe Mantegna) doesn't understandwhy the new car he bought for his wife Dana (Christine Lahti) has sent her intoan emotional tailspin; frustrated and confused, he and his friend Bruce (PaulReiser) decide to blow off steam by going to a strip club--unfortunately, Danareturns home just as the men are setting off. She follows and is appalled bywhat she finds, setting off a far more serious marital crisis for both couples.What starts out as a middle-aged version of American Pie turns into anhonest attempt to grapple with the troubles of a long marriage. The conclusionis dubious, but Women vs. Men has some thoughtful moments along the wayand the cast keeps the scenes lively--Lahti and Glenne Headly (as Bruce's wife)are particularly good. --Bret Fetzer ... Read more

Description

Hang on for a wild ride! In this fast-paced romantic comedy, Charlie Dunlap (Sports Night's Josh Charles) always dreamed of being traffic reporter# but when he lands his perfect job in L.A., his relationship with the girl of his dreams takes a turn for the worse. Not even his mentor, famed radio personality Alan Davenport (Monsters Inc.'s John Goodman) can help him, and now he's got to put the pedal to the metal to chase after his one chance at true love. Christine Lahti (Chicago Hope), Anne Heche (Donnie Brasco), and Peter Riegert (National Lampoon's Animal House) co-star in this hilarious comedy about life, love and hot pursuit! ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Charming
This is one of those delightful movies that gets overlooked by critics and viewers. But it is one of my favorites because it is so charming and sincere. I love the fact that it's about traffic engineering- something that I've always wondered about myself when driving through congested streets. I would think about the optimal way to time the lights so that less people would be stuck in traffic. The other reason why this movie is special to me is because of the memories it brings back of the time when I first saw it in 1996, with my ex-girlfriend, on HBO on a lazy Friday night. The scenes with the beautiful lighting in the apartment yard or the hilarious scenes of Christine Lahti as the horny landlord sort of meld into the memories and impressions I have of that ecstatic time in my life. I love the way movies or music can do that. So I guess we all have our personal movies that do that to us.

Cute
Hey, sometimes it's great to see a simple movie. This one is no great genius, and it's pretty predictable, but it IS perfectly adorable. An entertaining 2 hours.

a quirky, fun movie about traffic and naked people
One of my favorite new actors teams up with Anne Heche to produce a fun, wacky view of live traffic reports and interpretive dance. I was hooked the first time I saw it. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Definitely watchable but suffers from a couple of flaws.....
Christine Lahti plays Kristine Lyons, the wife of pilot Jack Lyons (John Heard) who loses his life in a plane crash. Flying a route from Boston to London, the crash occurs off the coast of Ireland and under mysterious circumstances.

Attempting to gain insight into the crash, the pilot's union sends a representative to interview Kristine Lyons who ends up having many questions of her own. Upon learning that information on the Cockpit Voice Recorder (Black Box) may possibly implicate her husband in the cause of the downed aircraft, Kristine Lyons resorts to finding the truth on her own which eventually leads her to England.

Upon reaching London and uncovering a trail of lies, deceit, a double life, and illegal activities spanning two continents, Kristine Lyons soon finds out much more than she ever expected to and realizes she never really knew her husband at all.

The Pilot's Wife is a movie that wants to be great but seems to settle in at above average. The plot itself contains enough intrigue and mystery to carry two-thirds of it's length but the finale borders on being anti-climactic. As far as the acting is concerned, Christine Lahti and John Heard are the only prominent names in the cast. John Heard doesn't appear in enough scenes to carry any weight which leaves Christine Lahti to make up the difference. She does very well in her role, in my opinion, and her performances are one of the finer points of the movie. My final grade for The Pilot's Wife rates a B-.

A Pilot's Past
This CBS TV movie was filmed in Ireland. It is the second Anita Shreve book to come to the screen. Her "The Weight of Water" which starred Sean Penn was well acted, but was laboriously edited. (My review for that one was called "The Weight of Editing." :) "The Pilot's Wife" fares a bit better overall, although Sean Penn is certainly one of our finest actors.

Christine Lahti who had her Oscar nomination for "Swing Shift" with Goldie Hawn does an incredibly excellent performance here. The variety of levels she hits as grieving wife, compassionate mother, angry widow and driven super-sleuth give us a sterling performance. Campbell Scott, real-life son of George C. Scott & Colleen Dewhurst, gives an excellent subtle performance as the pilot association representative who becomes emotionally involved. John Heard played a character named Jack who was about as devious as Jack Lyons in "Pilot's Wife" in his co-starring role with Goldie Hawn in "Deceived." While his performance here is in flashback and not as chilling, it equals the devious nature of his previous Jack from 1991. Particularly excellent is newcomer Kirsty Mitchell as Murie Boland, the Irish counterpart of Lyons' hidden life. Mitchell gives a brief but excellent portrayal of a woman whose life has been impacted by the violent struggles in Ireland. I haven't seen her previous film credit of "Capone's Boys," but certainly intend to seek it out on the basis of the strength of this performance. Alison Pill from "Pieces of April" with Katie Holmes who plays daughter Mattie turns in a good performance as a teen dealing as much with the struggles of her own adolescent social issues as with her father's untimely death.

The depth for this picture comes amid the backdrop of the Irish troubles. How the lives of the characters weave with the political turmoil of Ireland along with Lahti's performance elevates the picture from the mundane to the magical. The DVD doesn't offer a great deal of extras; but it is nice to appreciate the film as an uninterrupted whole. Enjoy!

The quintessential made-for-TV movie
THE PILOT'S WIFE was produced for television and scheduled to air soon after 9/11. Because the film begins with the crash of an airliner, the network decided to delay the telecast until April 2002. (Sensitivity, or just fear of losing advertising revenue?) In any case, the general mediocrity of television fare is well represented here.

As the movie opens, Kathryn Lyons (Christene Lahti) is awakened in the wee small hours by a pounding on the front door. Robert Hart (Campbell Scott), a representative of the airline pilots' union, is there to tell her that husband Jack (John Heard) was killed when the commercial 747 he captained blew up with 100+ passengers off the Irish coast on a flight from London to Boston. Within a couple days, a contingent of interrogators from the National Transportation Safety Board shows up with the FBI and lawyers in tow to ask pointed questions. This is just about the time that the news media begins reporting that the flight's pilot may have been responsible. It's only when Kathryn learns that her husband's mother, whom Jack said had died when he was nine, is now residing in a rest home in Minnesota, and that Jack didn't live in the crews' quarters whenever on a London layover, that she suspects he was hiding a few teensy details of his life. A scrap of paper in his trousers and an email address on his computer lead her to London, where she discovers that Hubby, presumably in response to a mid-life crisis, left behind a Big Irish Surprise. Several, actually.

It's not that THE PILOT'S WIFE is a bad film, it's just not a particularly good one. Lahti is a fine actress, who delivers a respectable performance, especially when she admits to herself and Hart that her marriage was, in fact, wretched. But what could have been an above-average suspense thriller falls victim to uninspired screenwriting that yields a storyline that proceeds at a sedate pace without any real surprises or substantive drama. There are the nondescript performances by Scott and Alison Pill, who plays Mattie, the Lyons teenage daughter. Alison, ostensibly the apple of her Dad's eye, seems less disturbed about his death than Mom's less than undivided attention when she (Alison) reveals that she "did it" for the first time three years before when she was fourteen. The scripting renders the Alison persona unnecessary to the plot, and the final heart-to-heart between Kathryn and her daughter seemed particularly lame, i.e. perfectly suited to the small screen on a Sunday evening in American suburbia.

I watched THE PILOT'S WIFE while ironing. The latter was almost more interesting.

Great movie, but takes a detour...
The Pilot's Wife is my all time favorite book. When I found the made for TV movie on DVD, I was both intrigued and skeptical. The book is both emotionally wrenching and touching at once. I had no idea if it could be pulled off in a movie, particularly a made for TV movie.

That said, I was almost entirely pleasantly surprised. The movie, for the most part, stays close to the story line in the book, although it doesn't follow the book precisely. Kathryn (Christine Lahti) learns at the beginning, that a plane piloted by her husband has gone down off the coast of Ireland. Campbell Scott is amazing as Robert Hart who, as a union representitive, is the bearer of the bad news.

In the days following the plane crash, Kathryn must not only deal with the grief and take care of her daughter (Alison Pill), but must come to terms with the fact that maybe she didn't know her husband as well as she thought. As lies and secrets are uncovered around her, Kathryn must figure out who Jack (her husband, played in flashbacks by John Heard) really was.

All in all, this is an excellent movie and I really enjoyed it. My only complaint though (and it's a big one, to me anyway) is that the end takes a huge detour from the book. Due to [Amazon.com's] spoiler rules and the fact that I don't want to ruin the ending for those who haven't seen it, I won't elaborate more than that. Suffice to say the ending for the movie was a huge disappointment. My only solace in the ending is that the movie covers a much shorter time period than the book, and thus I consoled myself by thinking that maybe the movie just hadn't gotten as far as the book. This movie still ranks 5 stars because it is so well done and does pack an emotional impact that is at least comparable to the book. My only real complaint is the ending.

All in all though, this is an excellent movie and I recommend it without reservations.

Frightening scenario that is all too real!
A commercial jetliner explodes off the English coast, killing all on board. The recovered voice recorder indicates a struggle in the cockpit just before the crash. It appears that the pilot may have smuggled a bomb onto the plane and detonated it, causing the tragedy.

Christine Lahti stars as the wife that learns life-shattering truths about her late husband (John Heard seen in flashbacks). Campbell Scott is featured as union representative that comes to Lahti to provide support. All three are believable in their respective roles.

A taut script, good performances, interesting cinematography, and a evocative score make this 2001 production an above average TV movie.

It's no wonder that its initial 2001 airing was cancelled due to the events of September 11th.

There's "food for thought" here. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Christine Lahti Rules!!
In the film starring Christine Lahti is about a scientist experimenting with DNA and accidently creates a monster.It's a nicely done,must see movie!! ... Read more

Description

She is a respected doctor and pioneer of woman's rights. She decides on a political career. The media gets hold of a small indiscretion in her past. It causes a political frenzy. She is forced to make a choice...speak her mind and preserve her self-respect at the risk of losing the campaign, or play the media game. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

excellent, little known film
this is a great video, apparently not available everywhere. for people who liked "the candidate," "the contender," and other stuff like that, this is a must see.

A convincing portrayal of the media's role in politics!
This movie (which was based on the play "An American Daughter", by Wendy Wasserstein), shows how the media can turn an innocent past mistake by a political candidate (Christine Lahti) into an issue that the whole country is talking about. Sound familiar? Issues like this constantly plague the news now, and this movie shows how ludicrous it all is. Tom Skerritt is in this movie too, an adds quite a convincing performance as Lahti's seemingly weak husband.

Two thumbs up for the movie and for Lahti!! I feel this is one of Christine Lahti's best performances. She takes you inside the life of a politician, who is being shunned by the media (thus, the nation) for reasons that are debatable.

Great Flick!
This movie brilliantly explores the challenges of being a woman and having power. In order to achieve, women are forced to sacrifice so much, and are often sabotaged by a society that feels threatened by their accomplishments. With suburb acting, this movie rings particularly true in our modern age. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Way more than a "quirky" movie about music
In the Middle Ages of the early 1980s when Reaganostics was being poured down the nose of every living thing and conformity was required by law came this incredibly great movie, an innocent movie about music. Find a copy somehow. Watch it. Lend it to friends. The mood is not dissimilar in 2003 as it was when this movie was released, a rising tide of stupidity, evil and darkness.

Without sounding too corny, it's a brilliant little life-affirming movie that belongs on the same shelf as "It's A Wonderful Life" and it also makes a GREAT double feature with "Repo Man," another gasp of fresh air from the wonderful (not) early 80s. Signs of life, very nearly underground films carrying the forbidden message that life is good, and that you can kick the Establishment in the balls and run to cover before they can rehabilitate you in the back with a hollow-point shell.

Very highly recommended. Without qualification. A GREAT movie and one that belongs in EVERYONE'S DVD collection, it really is that good, that original. A truly wonderful American movie that deserves far greater recognition than it's ever received.

From another point of view, every teenage girl in this country should watch this movie just to level the playing field following twelve years of Christian Wal-Mart BS being force-fed at every turn. "WE DON'T PUT OUT!"

Buy this DVD now!! ... Read more