Sweet Lorraine (1987)

Summers at The Lorraine have been a blast, but the guests and staff have saved the best...for last.

Director:

Steve Gomer

Writers:

Michael Zettler (screenplay), Shelly Altman (screenplay),

Stars:

Maureen Stapleton, Trini Alvarado, Lee Richardson

1 win.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Maureen Stapleton	...	Lillian Garber
Trini Alvarado	...	Molly Garber
Lee Richardson	...	Sam
John Bedford Lloyd	...	Jack
Freddie Roman	...	Phil Allen
Giancarlo Esposito	...	Howie
Edie Falco	...	Karen (as Edith Falco)
Todd Graff	...	Leonard
Evan Handler	...	Bobby
Mindy Morgenstern	...	Sarah
Tamara Tunie	...	Julie
Boris Sichkin	...	Ivan
Ben Lin	...	Tony
Marcell Rosenblatt	...	Pearl
Donald Moore	...	House Band Leader (as Don Moore)

Storyline

In its heyday, the Lorraine Hotel saw its fair share of guests, laughter and good times. But now that the aging inn is well past its prime, owner Lillian Garber must decide whether to repair the Catskills landmark - or sell to developers. As Lillian and her zany staff enjoy what may be the Lorraine's best- and last-summer season, they realize that not even a wrecking ball can demolish life's sweetest treasures. A slice-of-life comedy about old friendships, new romance, and letting go of the past.

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Plot Keywords:

summer | hotel | catskills | busboy | waiter | 

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Genres:

Drama

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Certificate:

PG-13

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

8 May 1987 (USA)

Also Known As:

Las locas vacaciones de Catskill Street

Filming Locations:

Heiden Hotel, South Fallsburg, New York, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Angelika Films, Autumn Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

91 min

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Goofs

During the scene where the kids are all sitting in the bedroom talking, when Molly describes a "boondocker", Bobby sets the end of a "cheese doodle" snack aflame. The second time you see him holding the snack, the amount that has burned has actually decreased, and the flame is smaller. He would have had to pick up and light a second piece, but you see no indication of this.

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Connections

References Casablanca (1942)

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Soundtracks

"Twenty-Five Hours A Day"
Words & Music by Todd Graff

User Reviews

sweetness of a bygone era

Sweet Loraine captures the Catskills experience like no other film. Much more authentic and emotionally honest than Dirty Dancing and other films of this genre,Sweet Loraine communicates the innocence and tenderness of the post-war generation of Jewish adolescents and celebrates the bittersweet passing of a a more gentle and carefree time. Toward this end, the writers employ a clever cross-generational plot design in which the challenges facing the owner of a declining Catskill resort hotel are balanced by the struggles of her visiting granddaughter. Maureen Stapleton's portrayal of the grandmother communicates the wisdom and experience of age without any of the stereotypical clichés which often accompany such roles. As her granddaughter, Trini Alvarado offers an understated performance that perfectly captures the transition from the blind certainty of youth to awareness of forces beyond her control. Sweet Loraine is one of the top five indie films of all time, and the gold standard for films about the Catskill Mountain resorts.