A Dangerous Woman (1993)

Martha Horgan, a naive woman with an intellectual impairment who lives with her aunt Frances in a small town, is known for always telling the truth. She works at a dry cleaner, where her ... See full summary »

Director:

Stephen Gyllenhaal

Writers:

Mary McGarry Morris (novel), Naomi Foner (screenplay)

Stars:

Laurie Metcalf, Debra Winger, Barbara Hershey

Nominated for 1 Golden Globe. Another 2 wins & 2 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Laurie Metcalf	...	Anita Bell
Debra Winger	...	Martha Horgan
Barbara Hershey	...	Frances Beechum
John Terry	...	Steve Bell
Maggie Gyllenhaal	...	Patsy Bell
Jake Gyllenhaal	...	Edward (as Jacob Gyllenhaal)
Myles Sheridan	...	Paul
Chloe Webb	...	Birdie
Richard Riehle	...	John
Viveka Davis	...	Mercy
Gabriel Byrne	...	Mackey
Paul Dooley	...	Tupperware Salesman
David Strathairn	...	Getso
Brad Blaisdell	...	Wesley
Warren Munson	...	Gately

Storyline

Martha Horgan, a naive woman with an intellectual impairment who lives with her aunt Frances in a small town, is known for always telling the truth. She works at a dry cleaner, where her compulsive truth-telling leads her to report to the boss that another employee has been stealing from the cash register. The thief, in turn, accuses Martha, and she loses her job. In the mean time, a mysterious stranger named Mackey appears at Martha's residence after learning that Aunt Frances needs her porch repaired. Mackey is hired and becomes intimately involved with Martha... which only leads to tragedy.

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Plot Keywords:

masturbation | mental retardation | independent film | based on novel

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Genres:

Drama | Romance

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for some graphic sexuality, strong language and a scene of violence

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

3 December 1993 (USA)

Also Known As:

Uma Mulher Perigosa

Box Office

Gross:

$1,497,222 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Amblin Entertainment, Gramercy Pictures (I), Island World

Technical Specs

Runtime:

102 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Dolby SR

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Glenn Close was the original casting decision to play Debra Winger's aunt, while Jeff Bridges and Jason Patric were both considered for the male lead.

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Quotes

[last lines]
Frances Beechum: There are those who say Mackey raped her, that he took advantage of her. But Martha wouldn't say that. She called it love. And maybe it was.

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Connections

References Lethal Weapon (1987)

User Reviews

Strangely compelling...

Not a bad film for one i saw at 1.30 in the morning. Debra Winger is convincing as a mentally challenged woman who only wants to understand why being truthful doesn't work in the world around her. The fact that she has her own apartment testifying to this. Gabriel Byrne was restrained as was needed in the opposing role to the central character and gave the movie some essential compassion which worked nicely. The sex scenes were a bit graphic but i think it was necessary as the controversy between rape/consentual sex in this case was in dispute. A point not overplayed or simplified, thankfully so credit to the writer and director for that.

Overall it raised some interesting themes in societies treatment of the mentally disabled and followed through with a realistic ending. 3 out of 5.