Housekeeping (1987)

In the Pacific Northwest during the 1950's, two young sisters whose mother has abandoned them wind up living with their Aunt Sylvie, whose views of the world and its conventions don't quite... See full summary »

Director:

Bill Forsyth

Writers:

Marilynne Robinson (novel), Bill Forsyth (screenplay)

Stars:

Christine Lahti, Sara Walker, Andrea Burchill

3 wins & 2 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Christine Lahti	...	Sylvie
Sara Walker	...	Ruth
Andrea Burchill	...	Lucille
Anne Pitoniak	...	Aunt Lily
Barbara Reese	...	Aunt Nona
Margot Pinvidic	...	Helen
Bill Smillie	...	Sheriff
Wayne Robson	...	Principal
Betty Phillips	...	Mrs. Jardine
Karen Elizabeth Austin	...	Mrs. Paterson
Dolores Drake	...	Mrs. Walker (as Delores Drake)
Georgie Collins	...	Grandmother
Tonya Tanner	...	Young Ruth
Leah Penny	...	Young Lucille
Brian Linds	...	Deputy Sheriff

Storyline

In the Pacific Northwest during the 1950's, two young sisters whose mother has abandoned them wind up living with their Aunt Sylvie, whose views of the world and its conventions don't quite live up the most people's expectations.

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Plot Keywords:

sister | aunt | flood | orphan | train | 

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Taglines:

The story of a woman slightly distracted by the possibilities of life.

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama

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Certificate:

PG

Details

Country:

USA Canada

Language:

English

Release Date:

January 1988 (USA)

Also Known As:

Azo Min Doda

Filming Locations:

British Columbia, Canada

Box Office

Gross:

$1,083,282 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Columbia Pictures Corporation

Technical Specs

Runtime:

116 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color (Rankcolor)

Did You Know?

Trivia

Diane Keaton was originally cast as Sylvie but left due to creative differences.

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Quotes

Ruth: It must be his boat.
Sylvie: That or he's some sort of lunatic. Either way, I'm not going back to find out.

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Soundtracks

"Oh My Papa"
(uncredited)
Music by Paul Burkhardt
Lyrics by John Turner and Geoffrey Parsons

User Reviews

wonderful movie with one directorial flaw

Years since I saw it in the moviehouse or video. NOT a comedy in the yuk yuk sense. I only wish I could have been on the set to say, "Bill, Focus more on the girls, not the aunt! You did them both so well!" It was just a question of balance in this absorbing movie. Christine Lahti had such a good, strong performance and Forsyth let her take the movie, or at least gave many viewers the idea that her character's the focus. Stunning scenery, wonderful evocation of family and place, and fascinates with its exploration of watery metaphors for our connection to and removal from people. Very faithful in tone to the book (a must-read by marilyn robinson, BTW), which I read after seeing the movie more than once. I wish I could see it on the big screen again.