White Palace (1990)

Max Baron (James Spader) is a 27-year-old high flying advertising executive still recovering from the death of his wife. One night he is in a bar when he meets Nora Baker (Susan Sarandon) a... See full summary »

Director:

Luis Mandoki

Writers:

Glenn Savan (novel), Ted Tally (screenplay),

Stars:

Susan Sarandon, James Spader, Jason Alexander

Nominated for 1 Golden Globe. Another 1 win & 1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Susan Sarandon	...	Nora Baker
James Spader	...	Max Baron
Jason Alexander	...	Neil
Kathy Bates	...	Rosemary
Eileen Brennan	...	Judy
Steven Hill	...	Sol Horowitz
Rachel Chagall	...	Rachel (as Rachel Levin)
Corey Parker	...	Larry Klugman
Renée Taylor	...	Edith Baron (as Renee Taylor)
Jonathan Penner	...	Marv Miller
Barbara Howard	...	Sherri Klugman
Kim Myers	...	Heidi Solomon (as Kim Meyers)
Hildy Brooks	...	Ella Horowitz
Mitzi McCall	...	Sophie Rosen
K.C. Carr	...	Stripper

Storyline

Max Baron (James Spader) is a 27-year-old high flying advertising executive still recovering from the death of his wife. One night he is in a bar when he meets Nora Baker (Susan Sarandon) a 43-year-old waitress with a fixation on Marilyn Monroe. The couple gradually fall in love, though age and social differences mean that the path of true love is strewn with problems.

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Plot Keywords:

love | waitress | advertising executive | loss of child | class differences | 

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Taglines:

The story of a younger man, and a bolder woman.

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Genres:

Drama | Romance

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Certificate:

R

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

19 October 1990 (USA)

Also Known As:

La fièvre d'aimer

Filming Locations:

Duff;s Reataurant, 392 North Euclid Avenue, St. Louis, Missouri, USA

Box Office

Gross:

$17,487,531 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Universal Pictures, Mirage, Double Play

Technical Specs

Runtime:

103 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Martin Scorsese was offered the chance to direct, but declined.

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Goofs

In the beginning of the movie, when Max drives Nora home from the bar where they met, he makes a 180 turn from the place on the street where he had parked but this is before Nora tells him how to get to where she lives. How could Max have known that he had to turn around from the parking spot to head toward Nora's house?

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Quotes

Max: If I choose to be celibate, it's none of your business.
Neil: This isn't celibacy we're talking about, it's fucking necrophilia!

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Connections

Referenced in Inside the Labyrinth: The Making of 'The Silence of the Lambs' (2001)

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Soundtracks

"Good Hearted Woman"
Performed by The Centurian Players
Written by Willie Nelson & Waylon Jennings

User Reviews

Thoroughly enjoy

This movie is, I think, extremely well-acted and produced. As for the comments about the extreme differences between the characters, have they not heard the old adage that "truth is stranger thatn fiction?"

I love this movie, pure and simple. The comments I've read about the scene on the table in the diner turn me off. I think it's great and it's one of my favorites.