Christopher-Lee Movie Reviews

This Napoleanic era British Royal Navy yarn presents a wealth of action, loyalty, bravery, a glimpse of self-doubt, and even romance.

Captain Hornblower, played exceptionally well by Gregory Peck, is a competent, intensely loyal and obedient British naval officer. He is a master teacher to junior officers and a leader of his men. We get a glimpse, though, of self-doubt that he carries with him (note the scenes where he writes in his diary).

During the film he carries out an ultra-secret mission for the admiralty. In the course of that assignment Hornblower finds himself obliged to conduct a running ship to ship battle protrayed via top-notch movie footage.

During the months it takes for Horblower's ship to return to Portsmouth, romance is nipped in the bud because of Hornblower's great integrity. The temptation is there, presented by the beautiful Virginia Mayo, but Hornblower doesn't buckle.

Early successes bring advancement and notariety to Hornblower as the movie progresses.

If you are inclined at all toward great tales of the sea and the men who sailed them, this movie will provide you with a grand adventure. Top notch, 5 stars all the way.

C. S. Forester certainly began the saga of his Napoleonic-Era naval hero Horatio Hornblower "in media res." Here is Hornblower as a dashing captain, with the stories of his younger days and later glories both yet to be penned. "Captain Horatio Hornblower" actually covers the key events in Forester's first trio of Hornblower adventures, "Beat to Quarters," "Ship of the Line" and Flying Colours." Hornblower (American Gregory Peck playing the quintessential English hero) is sent on a secret mission to the far side of South America where he has to capture a Spanish frigate not once but twice, all because of the problematic delay in having new orders catch up with him in the time of wooden sailing ships. Chance throws Hornblower together with Lady Barbara Wellesley (Virginia Mayo), the sister of the Duke of Wellington. She is engaged to some admiral and he is already married, but there is no doubt that they are meant for each other. Besides, even Fate has to take a backseat to Hornblower's sense of duty. Even when he is captured by the French it is but another opportunity for grand adventure. Like many fans I came to the Hornblower novels and this rousing 1951 film directed by Raoul Walsh. The happy ending falls into place a bit too neatly, but that is what happened in the original novels and not simply a Hollywood decision. The sea battles with the fully rigged ships are as fine as you can find from the good old days of movie-making, but my favorite scene is the touching one when the Captain and Lady Barbara deal with the final moment's of the youngest member of the ship's company. "Captain Horatio Hornblower," like the novels, achieves that feeling that we are truly in the middle of an epic tale, with well-established characters who we readily believe have already had long and glorious histories. I think Lt. Bush (Robert Beatty) gets a lot of the credit for that as the unofficial "narrator" of the tale. So, if you have loved the imported A&E adventures of the young Horatio Hornblower, you certainly need to get around to watching the original film version and reading Forester's novels. If not, you will just be a scurvy dog, matie.

I first saw Gregory peck as Hornblower about 45 years ago.I fell in love (puppy variety) with that man right then. I started CS Forester's series immediately. Other 11 year old girls read Nancy Drew, I read Horatio Hornblower. The Hornblower series is probably one of the three best naval action series (of antiquity) ever put to pen. (A real close tie is Alexander Kent's wonderful series.) The latest British TV mini-series (was on A&E) was absolutely wonderful and actually conveyed the feel and character of the Forester series with vivid realism...perhaps more so than the movie that had to be a bit too romanticized and glammed up. I especially enjoyed Horatio's earliest exploits as a young teen and adolescent in the novels. It would be nice to see a younger actor play this role in an upcoming feature...and cover his earliest years and why he (like so many) set out to sea in ships.

Thank you for this DVD of "The Inn of the Sixth Happiness". I am in seventh heaven, now I have the American version [which can be viewed in Europe on suitable DVD players]. The commentary is fascinating, especially what Donald Spoto has to say about Ingrid Bergman. This will be so helpful for my website, which is about the making of the film.
The late 1950s was the time of inspirational epics and, in my opinion, this is the best. On DVD you can see the beautiful scenery of Snowdonia, North Wales, used to best advantage by director Mark Robson and cinematographer Freddie Young. It's almost like watching the film in a cinema again - something I haven't done since 1959. I recommend this DVD to everyone. Ingrid Bergman's acting is hardly acting at all - more like living! She looks so stunning, at a time in her life when she was at her best [in my opinion].
In essence, the film was true to the original biography of Gladys Aylward, as told in "The Small Woman", which was not a novel, by the way.

One rainy afternoon I was channel surfing and came across this movie and fortunately for me it was very close to the beginning. I was so drawn into the story and captivated by Ingrid Bergman's performance that I forgot I was even watching television!! This is one of the most touching and moving stories I have ever seen and (I won't give this part of the movie away) when the Chinese gave "Gladys" a new name and what that translated to in English I thought I was going to go through a whole box of tissues right then and there. The storyline, scenery and acting are superb and the fact that it is based on a true story only makes it more inspiring. My cousin is 18 years old and wants to pursue a career in the mission field and I told her many times that she has to see this film. So I'm not only going to purchase one for MY video library but one for HER'S as well.

I just recently bought this DVD and I love it a lot. I also like the fact that it has a lot of neat specail features.

A Brief Description:

This Movie takes place in war-torn Japan. Ingrid Bergman is a helper and she helps take the Japaneese children to safety. This movie is a real tear-jerker for me. I think it is really cute when she teaches the kids how to sing. This Old Man. As they are walking to saftey. It also has some romance in it.

Great Movie. 5 Star Rating.

Thank you for this DVD of "The Inn of the Sixth Happiness". I am in seventh heaven, now I have the American version [which can be viewed in Europe on suitable DVD players]. The commentary is fascinating, especially what Donald Spoto has to say about Ingrid Bergman. This will be so helpful for my website, which is about the making of the film.
The late 1950s was the time of inspirational epics and, in my opinion, this is the best. On DVD you can see the beautiful scenery of Snowdonia, North Wales, used to best advantage by director Mark Robson and cinematographer Freddie Young. It's almost like watching the film in a cinema again - something I haven't done since 1959. I recommend this DVD to everyone. Ingrid Bergman's acting is hardly acting at all - more like living! She looks so stunning, at a time in her life when she was at her best [in my opinion].
In essence, the film was true to the original biography of Gladys Aylward, as told in "The Small Woman", which was not a novel, by the way.

One rainy afternoon I was channel surfing and came across this movie and fortunately for me it was very close to the beginning. I was so drawn into the story and captivated by Ingrid Bergman's performance that I forgot I was even watching television!! This is one of the most touching and moving stories I have ever seen and (I won't give this part of the movie away) when the Chinese gave "Gladys" a new name and what that translated to in English I thought I was going to go through a whole box of tissues right then and there. The storyline, scenery and acting are superb and the fact that it is based on a true story only makes it more inspiring. My cousin is 18 years old and wants to pursue a career in the mission field and I told her many times that she has to see this film. So I'm not only going to purchase one for MY video library but one for HER'S as well.

I just recently bought this DVD and I love it a lot. I also like the fact that it has a lot of neat specail features.

A Brief Description:

This Movie takes place in war-torn Japan. Ingrid Bergman is a helper and she helps take the Japaneese children to safety. This movie is a real tear-jerker for me. I think it is really cute when she teaches the kids how to sing. This Old Man. As they are walking to saftey. It also has some romance in it.

Great Movie. 5 Star Rating.

Funny Bones is not for everyone. Though Jerry Lewis and Oliver Platt are known stars, the material in this film is an unusual place for stars like these to end up. This odd little film is about risk, love, life and death. It is about a disappearing culture, and a comment about a new generation trying to find passion and purpose in the shadow of an imperfect generation before them. It speaks about the death of the theater and the passing of a simpler and perhaps funnier time. While Funny Bones is often funny, it's also quite tragic, very dark and often surreal. Lee Evens steals the show and Oliver Platt is the perfect foil to play against a giant like Jerry Lewis(Some old vaudevillians also put it some awesome cameos). Funny Bones is worth the watch.
It's worth the price of admission just to see this awesome cast.

"Funny Bones" is one of those movies that you have to be talked into viewing and then you wonder why you waited so long to check it out. Peter Chelsom's 1995 black comedy begins with a failed drug deal and a pair of feet washing up on shore. Tommy Fawkes, played by Oliver Platt, wants to be a successful standup comedian but his Las Vegas debut is a complete disaster, due in no small measure to the "help" provided by his father George, who was once a famous comedian himself and who is played by Jerry Lewis in what proves to be one of his best roles (stop with the jokes, the man is very good in this film). Because of the drug deal he flees back home to the English seaside town of Blackpool, a place that just happens to be full of retired music-hall performances (what we Yanks would call vaudevillians). Tommy needs better material or perhaps a partner. What he finds is Jack Parker (Lee Evans), who is pretty funny for someone who has, um, serious problems. Tommy and Jack have a series of comic misadventures involving Tommy's father, the mayor of Blackpool, an art collector, some French sailors, and in the end discover a secret that provides a rather unexpected bounced to the end of this film. "Funny Bones" is a nice little film with an excellent supporting cast that fails to be conventional. Check it out and pass the word along.

This movie veers brilliantly between the joy of comedy and the pain that lies just beneath its surface. It gets messy at times, but only because it sets high expectations for itself. It's a movie that will pop into your mind later, both for its humor and its poignancy.

Oliver Platt and Lee Evans were new to me in this one, and give dead-on performances. Evans produces two of the best comedic scenes I've ever watched, and the movie has several glorious set pieces. Make no mistake, though: this is not a comedy overall. It is a character-driven drama with soaring moments of slapstick and vaudeville. The grim moments mentioned in other reviews are disturbing, but provide counterpoint to the humor. In tone, this movie is similar to the Coen brothers' movies- eclectic, moving, and funny. At ten bucks it's a fantastic bargain.

Funny Bones is not for everyone. Though Jerry Lewis and Oliver Platt are known stars, the material in this film is an unusual place for stars like these to end up. This odd little film is about risk, love, life and death. It is about a disappearing culture, and a comment about a new generation trying to find passion and purpose in the shadow of an imperfect generation before them. It speaks about the death of the theater and the passing of a simpler and perhaps funnier time. While Funny Bones is often funny, it's also quite tragic, very dark and often surreal. Lee Evens steals the show and Oliver Platt is the perfect foil to play against a giant like Jerry Lewis(Some old vaudevillians also put it some awesome cameos). Funny Bones is worth the watch.
It's worth the price of admission just to see this awesome cast.

"Funny Bones" is one of those movies that you have to be talked into viewing and then you wonder why you waited so long to check it out. Peter Chelsom's 1995 black comedy begins with a failed drug deal and a pair of feet washing up on shore. Tommy Fawkes, played by Oliver Platt, wants to be a successful standup comedian but his Las Vegas debut is a complete disaster, due in no small measure to the "help" provided by his father George, who was once a famous comedian himself and who is played by Jerry Lewis in what proves to be one of his best roles (stop with the jokes, the man is very good in this film). Because of the drug deal he flees back home to the English seaside town of Blackpool, a place that just happens to be full of retired music-hall performances (what we Yanks would call vaudevillians). Tommy needs better material or perhaps a partner. What he finds is Jack Parker (Lee Evans), who is pretty funny for someone who has, um, serious problems. Tommy and Jack have a series of comic misadventures involving Tommy's father, the mayor of Blackpool, an art collector, some French sailors, and in the end discover a secret that provides a rather unexpected bounced to the end of this film. "Funny Bones" is a nice little film with an excellent supporting cast that fails to be conventional. Check it out and pass the word along.

This movie veers brilliantly between the joy of comedy and the pain that lies just beneath its surface. It gets messy at times, but only because it sets high expectations for itself. It's a movie that will pop into your mind later, both for its humor and its poignancy.

Oliver Platt and Lee Evans were new to me in this one, and give dead-on performances. Evans produces two of the best comedic scenes I've ever watched, and the movie has several glorious set pieces. Make no mistake, though: this is not a comedy overall. It is a character-driven drama with soaring moments of slapstick and vaudeville. The grim moments mentioned in other reviews are disturbing, but provide counterpoint to the humor. In tone, this movie is similar to the Coen brothers' movies- eclectic, moving, and funny. At ten bucks it's a fantastic bargain.

Burt Lancaster and Nick Cravat teamed up many times in their long careers, but never, I think, as well as in the Crimson Pirate. Both are fine athletes and acrobats and turn the movie into a circus romp of stunts and high jinx. Don't worry much about the plot. From beginning to end Burt, the Crimson Pirate, and his sidekick Ojo, Nick, engage in nonstop action and adventure as they swing from yardarms, dash around town, swim underwater for what seems like hours, and fight continuously all the kings soldiers and all the kings men who fall down like dominoes as Burt and Nick punch and kick them down or overboard. They are kung fu supermen slightly before their time. All in good fun.

The Crimson Pirate is Saturday Afternoon at the Movies at its best. With a bright clear picture and good sound coming from the DVD transfer, all you need is popcorn and a cold drink for an entertaining afternoon with the kids.

If Pirates of the Caribbean had been made in 1952, it would have looked like this movie.

This movie is a swashbuckling, tongue in cheek romp through the 50's typical Caribbean locale. Lancaster portrays the charismatic pirate captain, taking on all odds, beating the pompous Spanish aristocracy in a fair fight, playing all sides off against each other for the benefit of the pirates (at least until Eva Bartok, captivates his interest). On a historical note: the movie does a decent job of depicting the pirate captain's relationship with the crew by making Lancaster convince them to follow his plan rather than just issue the orders (pirate captains of the Golden Age of Piracy were elected by the crew and continued to serve until the crew felt the need for a change).

The cast is excellent. Nick Cravat, plays a wonderful mute companion to Lancaster's voluble Captain Vallo; Torin Thatcher plays a wonderful double dealing pirate as Humble Bellows. Eva Bartok is a decent romantic interest (the movie isn't all mushy, just a little embracing and couple of kisses). Then there is Professor Prudence, James Hayter, type cast as the absent minded inventor (can you say hot air balloon, submarine and nitroglycerine [although I doubt he invented the cruise ship glimpsed in the background of one shipboard scene]). Overall, this is a wonderful representation of the genre. P-)

This is a great pirate spoof! It's great to see a film where actors really do their own stunts- This film is just plain fun for kids and adults. I hope they do a remake!

Jacques Tati's Monsieur Hulot has been compared to Mr. Bean and Charlie Chaplin and that's not a bad comparision. Tati has said that he patterned Mr. Hulot after Buster Keaton and that's closer, but he has put his own spin on the character Mr. Hulot.

Mr. Hulot's Holiday is a good place to start admiring Jacques Tati's Mr. Hulot films but they are all great, all full of sight gags and observations on human nature. Mr. Hulot wanders and blunders through his holiday like a big kid observing, but not even trying to understand the odd behavior of the adults around him. The sight gags are fabulous, often leaving Mr. Hulot wondering how did this get from here to there or how did that happen. If you blink you will have to watch the film again to catch what you have missed. There is very little dialog - Jacques Tati was an aficinado of silent films - so if you do not like watching a subtitled film don't be put off. And don't be put off by the statement: "non-American" humor, this is funny stuff. Jacques Tati is one of the great comics.

All the Mr. Holot films are equally brilliant; they will leave you smiling, laughing, and ocassionally - as when Mr. Hulot is trying to put out a fire in a shed full of fireworks - gasping for air.

My husband and I enjoyed MR HULOT'S VACATION very much. Although the film has been described elsewhere as slapstick, I don't think it is -- though there are a few scenes that made me laugh like crazy. VACATION is an intelligent and subltle film that does not depend on clever dialogue, in fact there is very little dialogue, though the film is not silent.

The comparison with Mr. Bean is a good one, but Tati is not Roland Atkins any more than Buster Keaton was Charlie Chaplin. In fact, Tati falls somewhere in between Chaplin and Atkins, neither as clumsy or pitiable as the former nor as socially inept as the latter. In fact, Mr. Hulot seems an average sort of guy who experiences more than his share of the odd experiences that can and do happen to everyone.

Mr. Hulot appeals because we can identify with him. For example, Mr. Hulot has problems with his car. Well, I once owned a car I could not get out of second gear. Since the mechanic could not fix it for a price I could afford, I drove it very slowly. My mother owned a car that flicked on the windshield wipers and headlights every time she hit a bump. She had to hit another bump to turn them off. My husband had an old MG with a rusted floorboard. As you rode along you could see the pavement underneath the car. We gave it to my daughter and she traded it for a bicycle. Mr. Hulot's experiences with his car don't seem odd to me, and they make me laugh in recognition.

Chaplin was always center stage and to a certain extent Atkins is seldom out of the frame either. However, Mr Hulot shares the stage with an assortment of people some might call eccentric. In fact, the folks in VACATION remind me of the people who populate my own world. I am not unique, however, I am observant, and one of the things I like about Tati is that he recognizes each person is an individual and that each has interesting experiences that are occasionally funny. As Mr. Bennet says in PRIDE AND PREJUDICE, "but for what do we exist except to amuse others and they in their turn to amuse us." Humor is in the eye of the beholder. Tati simply makes it obvious that people are funny.

Like Mr. Bean, Mr. Hulot blithely moves about unconscious of the havoc he leaves in his wake, but all of us cause havoc somewhere at some point and are unaware of it. Sometimes it's serious havoc. Have you never seen near accidents on the highway where the "cause" goes merrily on his way? Of course some accidents are bad, but often accidents are funny.

Unlike Mr. Bean, Mr. Hulot does not seem to be lonely. He actually has a nice time with the beautiful blonde--well he mostly does, but if he fails to connect on an occasion or two it's not for lack of interest on her part. And, Mr. Hulot is quite a good tennis player who makes a friend of the tennis coach (and impresses the blonde).

Probably the thing I enjoyed the most about this film was the context. What is it about vacations that brings out insanity?? The opening scenes as everyone heads to the beach are hilarious. I too have nearly missed trains in Europe from being on the wrong side of the track. However, there are some wonderful tranquill scenes too. The sound of the waves pounding the surf at night under a full moon, and the clear sunny sky by day, as well as the happy mood of the vactioners--especially the children--is enough to put anyone in a good mood. I love this little film and I'm going to watch it over and over. I'll buy more Tati DVDs too, since I don't have a car payment to worry about.

This magnificent movie will again be available from Criterion in early 2004. It'll be well worth waiting for.

I remember my parents renting THE MACK when I was about 10 or 11. I didn't watch it with them, but, throughout the years, I've heard referrences 2 it several times. I recently bought the DVD and have since watched it twice. I thought it was a pretty good movie. Almost everything within the story is laid out: why he was in Cali, why he went to prison, his reason for becoming a pimp, and why he ended up the way he did at the end of the movie. In other words, it explains in detail the cause and effects of his pimpin'. Not only that, but, the soundtrack is pretty cool. The acting could have been better, but, the film made up in other parts for what it lacked in the acting. The DVD transfer could have been better, but, you have to realize that maybe the source (the film) may have had more grain on it than one can deal with being that this film is almost 30 years old. The sound quality updates the film for the new millenium (pay 'taintion to the surround sound). I must admit that for the most part, when New Line release their films on DVD, it is more than just a movie. Now, if we can just write several letters to Warner Bros. to do the same for PURPLE RAIN!

This movie is a blaxploitation classic. Its only rival could be considered to be 'Superfly' with Ron O'Neil. In my opinion "The Mack" is more enjoyable. Max Julien became 'Goldie' in 1973 as he stepped into this role.

His desire is simple..."to be the coldest pimp in history! People are gonna be talkin' about Goldie like they were talking about Jesus!" he declares. And he sets out on his quest to do just that. It doesn't necessarily explain how he came to secure all of the women and the money, but we see him throwing money in the air and immediately surrounded by his ghetto fabulous trappings. Soon he is running a business in which he teaches his ladies how to steal, deceive and "always remain a lady". He even goes so far as to run a show at a planetarium to show how necessary it is to control a woman's body and not just her mind.

The dvd includes a documentary into how "The Mack" was made. It shows that it was partially financed by the notorious Ward brothers (real ... and hustlers) who had small roles in the film. It also showed that there is in fact a message to the "Mack" and what its intents and purpose was. It would be easy to dismiss this movie as a 70's black movie about ... women. But it does in fact have a message. You're able to see Goldie's faults. Not everythig turns out right for him once he makes it big. This movie isn't a must see, but it's entertaining all the same.

I live in Europe and saw only saw AMERICAN PIMP, but not other pimp movies since they are in
"VHS Features:NTSC format (US and Canada only. This VHS will probably NOT be viewable in other countries. Read more about VHS formats.)"

IS IT POSSIBLE TO BUY THESE MOVIES IN EUROPEAN VHS FORMAT?

THANKS

The cast is really wonderful -- especially Melanie Griffith and Penelope Ann Miller. But Patrick Swayze hitting the road for a 2000 mile road trip with a very unstable ex-girlfriend (Griffith) to see the son he never had was so forced and almost laughable the way it was handled. To up and leave his wife (Miller) stranded at a restaurant that way was not at all believeable. That's the fault of the script, not the actors. It just wasn't thought out enough. There's a really touching scene in the airplane between Miller and Steven Bauer (one of Griffith's real-life exs) that was award worthy. Unfortunately, this movie would never have made 20 bucks had it been released in theatres. You're better off with a DVD. And yes, the song is really, really beautiful. Wish I could find this on CD.

Don't expect a lot from this DVD, it offers just two buttons for you to touch: "View trailer" and "Play movie". No scene access, no special features. Yea, that's sad. But the film itself makes up to what's missing on the DVD. Melanie Griffith gives a superb performance as a schizophrenic ex-girlfriend and distressed mother. You'll love the nostalgic scene of her and Patrick Swayze, from different corners of the world, watching "The Hustler" on TV and getting lost in their memories. And the fabulous musical score is definitely some "bonus material" to this romantic drama -- especially the last song ("Say Goodbye", written by Serge Colbert, Mark Portman & Alan Rich and performed by Lauren Kinkade). That melody, along with Griffith's childlike smile, will surely capture your heart.

This DVD of the cable film from STARZ, Forever Lulu, received terrible reviews but I think it is an extraordinary story of two people, Lulu (Melanie Griffith) and Ben (Patrick Swayze) who shared a summer romance and tragically experience the descent of Lulu (Melanie Griffith) into mental illness. Sixteen years later, escaping from a halfway mental health home, Lulu sneaks away to see Ben and to his surprise tells him about a son he does not know he has. They drive to Wisconsin to see the boy while Ben's wife, Helen (Penelope Ann Miller), threatened by this intrusion into their marriage and unresolved feelings over the death of their young son, follows them to Wisconsin and after an emotional meeting of the three, each struggles to resolve their conflicting feelings and unsettling switches of roles. The three all travel to see the son who initially rejects his new found parents but comes to understand why their relationship happened and why they could not be a family. Finally, Ben and Lulu realize they will always be in love with each other but can only remain a memory. Wonderful performances and a real examination of the discrimination of those with mental illness but the power of Griffith to overcome the stigma, "(to son after he apologizes for calling his mother crazy) I am crazy, it makes it easier that way." This film, while not based on a strong script, works on many levels making you feel the pathos of the relationship between these characters stumbling to deal with their feelings and the circumstances of their lives. The score is worth the price of the DVD, ("Say Goodbye", written by Serge Colbert, Mark Portman & Alan Rich and performed by Lauren Kinkade). Get out a box of Kleenix if you like to drain your sinuses.

The cast is really wonderful -- especially Melanie Griffith and Penelope Ann Miller. But Patrick Swayze hitting the road for a 2000 mile road trip with a very unstable ex-girlfriend (Griffith) to see the son he never had was so forced and almost laughable the way it was handled. To up and leave his wife (Miller) stranded at a restaurant that way was not at all believeable. That's the fault of the script, not the actors. It just wasn't thought out enough. There's a really touching scene in the airplane between Miller and Steven Bauer (one of Griffith's real-life exs) that was award worthy. Unfortunately, this movie would never have made 20 bucks had it been released in theatres. You're better off with a DVD. And yes, the song is really, really beautiful. Wish I could find this on CD.

Don't expect a lot from this DVD, it offers just two buttons for you to touch: "View trailer" and "Play movie". No scene access, no special features. Yea, that's sad. But the film itself makes up to what's missing on the DVD. Melanie Griffith gives a superb performance as a schizophrenic ex-girlfriend and distressed mother. You'll love the nostalgic scene of her and Patrick Swayze, from different corners of the world, watching "The Hustler" on TV and getting lost in their memories. And the fabulous musical score is definitely some "bonus material" to this romantic drama -- especially the last song ("Say Goodbye", written by Serge Colbert, Mark Portman & Alan Rich and performed by Lauren Kinkade). That melody, along with Griffith's childlike smile, will surely capture your heart.

This DVD of the cable film from STARZ, Forever Lulu, received terrible reviews but I think it is an extraordinary story of two people, Lulu (Melanie Griffith) and Ben (Patrick Swayze) who shared a summer romance and tragically experience the descent of Lulu (Melanie Griffith) into mental illness. Sixteen years later, escaping from a halfway mental health home, Lulu sneaks away to see Ben and to his surprise tells him about a son he does not know he has. They drive to Wisconsin to see the boy while Ben's wife, Helen (Penelope Ann Miller), threatened by this intrusion into their marriage and unresolved feelings over the death of their young son, follows them to Wisconsin and after an emotional meeting of the three, each struggles to resolve their conflicting feelings and unsettling switches of roles. The three all travel to see the son who initially rejects his new found parents but comes to understand why their relationship happened and why they could not be a family. Finally, Ben and Lulu realize they will always be in love with each other but can only remain a memory. Wonderful performances and a real examination of the discrimination of those with mental illness but the power of Griffith to overcome the stigma, "(to son after he apologizes for calling his mother crazy) I am crazy, it makes it easier that way." This film, while not based on a strong script, works on many levels making you feel the pathos of the relationship between these characters stumbling to deal with their feelings and the circumstances of their lives. The score is worth the price of the DVD, ("Say Goodbye", written by Serge Colbert, Mark Portman & Alan Rich and performed by Lauren Kinkade). Get out a box of Kleenix if you like to drain your sinuses.