Violets Are Blue... (1986)

After fifteen years of traveling around the world Gussie (Spacek), a famous photographer, returns to the Maryland coastal resort where she grew up. She meets her high school sweetheart ... See full summary »

Director:

Jack Fisk

Writer:

Naomi Foner

Stars:

Sissy Spacek, Kevin Kline, Bonnie Bedelia

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Sissy Spacek	...	Augusta 'Gussie' Sawyer
Kevin Kline	...	Henry Squires
Bonnie Bedelia	...	Ruth Squires
John Kellogg	...	Ralph Sawyer
Jim Standiford	...	Addy Squires
Augusta Dabney	...	Ethel Sawyer
Kate McGregor-Stewart	...	Sara Mae
Adrian Sparks	...	George
Annalee Jefferies	...	Sally
Mike Starr	...	Tony
Brian Sargis	...	Squid
Keith Sargis	...	Bryant
Michael Mack	...	Ben
Erin Malooly	...	Erin
Megan Malooly	...	Kathleen

Storyline

After fifteen years of traveling around the world Gussie (Spacek), a famous photographer, returns to the Maryland coastal resort where she grew up. She meets her high school sweetheart Henry (Kline), now married and running the local newspaper he's inherited from his father. An awkward and tension-filled romance ensues.

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Plot Keywords:

photographer | sweetheart | return | newspaper | maryland | 

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Genres:

Drama | Romance

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Certificate:

PG-13

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

11 April 1986 (USA)

Also Known As:

As Violetas São Azuis

Filming Locations:

Baltimore, Maryland, USA

Box Office

Gross:

$4,743,287 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Columbia Pictures, Columbia Pictures Industries, Delphi IV Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

88 min

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Connections

Referenced in Jersey Girl (2004)

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Soundtracks

"The Vienna Blood Waltz"
Band Organ Roll performance of
Used by permmission of Play-Rite Music Rolls, Inc.
Music by Johann Strauß (uncredited)

User Reviews

A Little Known, And Vastly Underrated Romance

I was vacationing in Ocean City, Maryland when this film was being made. I remember hearing on the radio that the production crew was looking for background extras for some early scenes in the film. I wish I had tried out for one! I have always had a soft spot in my heart for this film, not simply because I love Ocean City, but because this movie is proof that a simple story, told with honest sincerity, can rise head and shoulders above flashy production values and overblown dramatics. Spacek and Klein do quite well with their lead roles. Low-key dramas like this seem more down to Earth because this is how real people such as ourselves would act in similar situations. By wisely omitting any shots of the many high rise condominiums of northern Ocean City, the filmmakers have done an excellent job of portraying this as a small coastal town. If romantic sentimentality is not your thing, you'll probably yawn through this movie. But if you're the type of person to often look back and wonder "what if," then Violets Are Blue is certainly worth your time.