IMDb > Stars and Bars (1988)

Stars and Bars (1988) More at IMDbPro »

IMDb Holiday Movie Guide

Overview

User Rating:
4.6/10   373 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Up 4% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Pat O'Connor
Writers:
William Boyd (novel)
William Boyd (screenplay)
Contact:
View company contact information for Stars and Bars on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
18 March 1988 (USA) more
Genre:
Comedy | Action | Romance more
Plot:
A British art expert travels across America in order to purchase a rare Renoir painting in the South but comes across some crazy characters in the process. full summary | add synopsis
Plot Keywords:
User Comments:
Very uneven, but not without some good points more (10 total)

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)

Daniel Day-Lewis ... Henderson Dores (as Daniel Day Lewis)

Harry Dean Stanton ... Loomis Gage
Kent Broadhurst ... Ben Sereno
Maury Chaykin ... Freeborn Gage
Matthew Cowles ... Beckman Gage

Joan Cusack ... Irene Stein

Keith David ... Eugene Teagarden

Spalding Gray ... Reverend T.J. Cardew

Glenne Headly ... Cora Gage

Laurie Metcalf ... Melissa
Bill Moor ... Edgar Beeby
Deirdre O'Connell ... Shanda Gage
Will Patton ... Duane Gage

Martha Plimpton ... Bryant
Rockets Redglare ... Peter Gint
more
Create a character page for: ?

Additional Details

Parents Guide:
Add content advisory for parents
Runtime:
94 min
Country:
USA
Language:
English
Color:
Color
Sound Mix:
Dolby
Certification:
Iceland:L | Australia:M | USA:R | West Germany:12
Filming Locations:
Clarkesville, Georgia, USA more
Company:
Columbia Pictures Corporation more

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
A rejected score was composed by Elmer Bernstein more
Movie Connections:
Features "The Famous Adventures of Mr. Magoo" (1964) more

FAQ

This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.

User Comments

   (Comment on this title)
1 out of 2 people found the following comment useful.
Very uneven, but not without some good points, 6 June 2007
4/10
Author: mnpollio from United States

A very strange fish-out-of-water comedy with straight-laced stiff-upper-lip British art dealer Daniel Day-Lewis sent down South to try to purchase a priceless painting from kooky patriarch Harry Dean Stanton and contending with the various family lunatics. The tone of the film is quite uneven and the comedic moments are more mildly amusing rather than laugh-out-loud funny. Other films and books have done both the "normal guy out of his depth" and lampoon of the Southern Gothic family more expertly, but that is not to indicate that the film does not have some memorable moments. Some of the supporting performances are well done, particularly Maury Chaykin's obnoxious Elvis-garbed bully son and Martha Plimpton, as the sex-crazed teenager, who accompanies Day-Lewis on his trip. Unfortunately, others like Joan Cusack, Glenne Headley, Will Patton and Laurie Metcalf are either stuck with overly broad roles or limited screen time. Pat O'Connor's direction is rather clumsy and rough resulting in a film that moves in starts and stops, and misses the mark more often than not. Arguably the most interesting reason to see the film is Day-Lewis himself. Usually he plays straight dramatic roles filled with sweaty angst, it is rare to see him in a comedy, much less playing such a well-intentioned, discombobulated dweeb. He is surprisingly appealing and throws himself body and soul into the part, even when the film does not remotely deserve such consideration. It is a shame that he has refrained from doing much comedy, because he does show some skill in frantic slapstick moments - whether running around a hotel trying to prevent the meeting of two women or escaping from gangsters buck naked after being forced to strip. Not to digress, but Day-Lewis' surprising full frontal nude scene during the strip and escape is certainly another plus for any fans of his as, much like comedy, nudity is something he rarely does in his dramas.

Was the above comment useful to you?
more (10 total)

Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for Stars and Bars (1988)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
Beatrice Winde rocks pajode
Danny appeared frontally nude! vijaysrinu36
more

Recommendations

If you enjoyed this title, our database also recommends:
- - - - -
Around the World in 80 Days The Stunt Man The Forbidden Kingdom The Pope of Greenwich Village Welcome 2 Ibiza
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
Show more recommendations

Related Links

Full cast and crew Company credits External reviews
IMDb Comedy section IMDb USA section Add this title to MyMovies

You may report errors and omissions on this page to the IMDb database managers. They will be examined and if approved will be included in a future update. Clicking the 'Update' button will take you through a step-by-step process.