Enter the amazing Margo Martindale (The Americans, August:Osage County, The Good Wife, Million Dollar Baby). She brilliantly plays Anne Morrison, a kind hearted war widow who is called upon to take the foreigner in and get him on his way.
Takashi Yamaguchi is cast in the role of the stranger, Grover Ohta. He is a relative newcomer who was seen in Eastwood’s “Letters from Iwo Jima”. His English in real life is spotty but his delivery in the film as an educated Japanese man is flawless thanks he says to help from the cast. The exchanges between him and Martindale and his touching relationship with Sophie Willis (Julianne Nicholson) are moving and memorable.
Southern hospitality is on display here with an equal if not greater measure of distrust and racial bias.
I must comment on the scene stealing performance by Lorraine Toussaint who plays Anne’s newly hired maid. She has a sassy yet dignified flair and can deliver an attitude with a glance. From a supporting role she added much to the richness of the film.
Maggie Greenwald’s deft direction delivers a beautiful film with a look back on a dark time in our history, and a not so subtle warning shot to all of us to be wary of going back there.
I loved this movie. Some may argue that it’s a bit predictable but I am okay with that. The story, the cinematography and the performances make for a most satisfying experience. I hope it gets picked up and enjoys a wide release.
Jerry, thank you posting these reviews. Bart and I movie fans and Park City/Deer Valley are my favorite mountains for skiing (yes I did eventually become a good intermediate skier) and still go every year.
You guys should definitely give it a try. It is possible to schedule yourself to both ski and catch films. Very well run event.
Thanks for a great review. Hope this film lands in one of my “winners tickets”.
I’ll be working the awards event Saturday night in Park City. Due for another big storm that night…should be interesting driving home ar 2:00 am.
The awards party should be good! Hopefully the storm won’t be too bad.
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decided to browse your blog on my own iphone during lunch break.
I enjoy the info you provide here and can’t wait to have a look when I return home.
I’m surprised at how fast your site loaded on my phone ..
I’m not using WIFI, just 3G .. Anyhow, great site!
Thanks!
An impressive share! I have just forwarded this
onto a co-worker who had been doing a little homework on this.
And he in fact bought me breakfast simply because I discovered it for him…
lol. So let me reword this…. Thank YOU for the meal!!
But yeah, thanks for spending some time to discuss this subject
here on your site.
Thank you and you are welcome!