Based on a novel by Pat Conroy, this film is a classic melodrama brought to life with extremely well-observed characters. Tom Wingo (Nick Nolte, THE HULK) narrates the story of a Southern man dealing with the secrets of his past.
His marriage to Sallie (Blythe Danner, MEET THE PARENTS) is on the rocks, because he doesn’t express his emotions expect in outbursts of anger. He’s in a midlife funk, having quit his job as a high school teacher and football coach. Additionally, he has a very tense relationship with this willful mother Lila (Kate Nelligan, TV’s A WRINKLE IN TIME). Then he receives word that his twin sister Savannah (Melinda Dillion, A CHRISTMAS STORY) has attempted suicide again.
Her psychiatrist Dr. Susan Lowenstein (Barbara Streisand, WHAT’S UP DOC?) wants a relative to come to New York and tell her more about Savannah so she can treat her better. Tom takes on the mission. The film sees Tom perfectly. He has a difficult time with emotion and often hides behind humor or changes the subject when touchy emotional topics are brought up. He struggles with issues from his childhood, which include his abusive father Henry (Brad Sullivan, THE ABYSS), his feelings of inferiority to his older brother Luke and his deteriorating image of his mother.
Tom and Dr. Lowenstein’s relationship starts out as patient/client, but develops into more. Tom even couches her son Bernard (Jason Gould, SAY ANYTHING…) in football. The film understands the complexity of how someone’s personality develops over time and how our hang-ups taint our futures. Though Tom views his mother quite negatively, she isn’t as bad as he makes her out to be, but her issues affect Tom in great ways.
Director Streisand handles the material fairly straightforward and uses the beauty of South Carolina to create a painterly quality to the flashback segments. She and Nolte work wonderfully together. Nolte is perfect for the role. George Carlin (JERSEY GIRL) also makes a funny and solid supporting turn as Savannah’s gay neighbor Eddie Detreville. The movie is sad, funny and powerful. It’s one of the more observant films I’ve seen in awhile. It’s powerful dramatic stuff, done with wit and intelligence.
Rick DeMott
Animation World Network
Creator of Rick's Flicks Picks
