Marie (1985)

A woman is determined to reveal the truth about an insidious political corruption. In doing so she risks her safety, career and reputation but will not stop asking questions until the truth is known.

Director:

Roger Donaldson

Writers:

Peter Maas (book), John Briley (screenplay)

Stars:

Sissy Spacek, Jeff Daniels, Keith Szarabajka

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Sissy Spacek	...	Marie Ragghianti
Jeff Daniels	...	Eddie Sisk
Keith Szarabajka	...	Kevin McCormack
Morgan Freeman	...	Charles Traughber
Fred Dalton Thompson	...	Himself (as Fred Thompson)
Lisa Banes	...	Toni Greer
Trey Wilson	...	FBI Agent
John Cullum	...	Deputy Attorney General
Don Hood	...	Governor Blanton
Graham Beckel	...	Charlie Benson
Macon McCalman	...	Murray Henderson
Collin Wilcox Paxton	...	Virginia
Robert Green Benson III	...	Dante Ragghianti
Dawn Carmen	...	Therese Ragghianti
Shane Wexel	...	Ricky Ragghianti

Storyline

A woman is determined to reveal the truth about an insidious political corruption. In doing so she risks her safety, career and reputation but will not stop asking questions until the truth is known.

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Plot Keywords:

political corruption | prison | clemency hearing | convict | hotel room | 

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Taglines:

A true story.

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Genres:

Drama

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Certificate:

PG-13

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

27 September 1985 (USA)

Also Known As:

Marie: A True Story

Filming Locations:

Nashville, Tennessee, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Dino De Laurentiis Company

Technical Specs

Runtime:

112 min

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Lawyer and politician Fred Dalton Thompson, appearing in this film as himself, launched his acting career with this movie.

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Connections

Featured in At the Movies: Crossover Dreams/Maxie/Mishima/Plenty (1985)

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Soundtracks

"Honey Honey"
By Benny Andersson (uncredited) and Björn Ulvaeus (uncredited)
Performed by ABBA
Courtesy of Polar Music International AB Sweeden

User Reviews

Suspenseful, polished production

There are more than a few movies about women battling and (hopefully) beating the system, so the field was already getting pretty crowded by 1985, when this film hit the cinemas. But it stands up there with the best of them; the greater surprise is that "Marie" is so less well known than, for instance, "Erin Brockovich" or "Norma Ray". The people involved in making this production are all out of the top drawer: Sissy Spacek in the lead role, supported by Jeff Daniels, Keith Szarabajka, Fred Thompson and Morgan Freeman (in a comparatively small part); director Roger Donaldson; cameraman Sam Mendes; and screenwriter John Briley. The script is tightly written, with a good pattern of sequences that moves the action through suspense (or, more precisely, a sense of menace), anxious domestic incidents, and lighter casual moments: the story looks and feels authentic. Spacek is terrific in the lead role of a "not perfect" person who just won't let herself be pushed aside when her integrity gets in the way of her political masters. But no element of the production is weak: the final court drama is beautifully played (how much better are these sequences when they rely on real transcripts), and so is the dynamic within the family of the woman on a mission. Highly recommended.