The Effect of Gamma Rays on Man-in-the-Moon Marigolds (1972)

User Rating:

7.4/10   

Director:

Paul Newman

Writers:

Alvin Sargent (screenplay)
Paul Zindel (play)

Release Date:

1 February 1974 (Finland)

Genre:

Drama

Tagline:

Mother of the Year.

Plot:

From the Pullizer Prize winning play by Paul Zindel, this is the story of Beatrice Hunsdorfer and her daughters...

Plot Keywords:

Classified Ad | Science Fair | Cheerleading | Wheelchair | Epilepsy

Awards:

Nominated for Golden Globe. Another 2 wins & 1 nomination

Cast

Joanne Woodward	...	Beatrice
Nell Potts	...	Matilda
Roberta Wallach	...	Ruth
Judith Lowry	...	Nanny
David Spielberg	...	Mr. Goodman
Richard Venture	...	Floyd
Carolyn Coates	...	Mrs. McKay
Will Hare	...	Junk Man
Estelle Omens	...	Caroline
Jess Osuna	...	Sonny
Ellen Dano	...	Janice Vickery
Lynne Rogers	...	Miss Hanley
Roger Serbagi	...	Charlie
John Lehne	...	Apartment Manager
Michael Kearney	...	Chris Burns

Runtime:

100 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording System)

Certification:

Finland:K-12 | Sweden:15 | USA:PG

Filming Locations:

Bridgeport, Connecticut, USA

Company:

Twentieth Century-Fox Film Corporation

Trivia:

The play was originally produced in Houston in 1964. The movie version filmed in 1972, directed by Paul Newman and starred his wife, Joanne Woodward, and his daughter Elinor (Nell Potts). Woodward won the award for Best Actress at the 1973 Cannes Film Festival.

Quotes:

Beatrice: I'm not exactly happy about you discussing testicles with this Chris Burns character!

a very bitter pill that won't go down with ease.

The old saw "there are no guarantees in life" is given a sad example in this film, wherein we find Joanne Woodward, mother of two girls, slipping through the cracks of her own life(with children in tow). Through a bleary haze of booze-soaked self-defeat, she commands change in her life but is unwilling(and/or possibly unable)to grab the reins. Woodward's performance is outstanding, unrestrained but not at all stagy or hammy. For people who enjoy strong character studies, this film is a must-see...but be forewarned- it is relentlessly depressing and may touch a bit too close to home for many viewers. Regardless, this stands as an exceptional and well directed minor classic, presenting a sad, realistic portrait of human wreckage.

7/10