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

This film marks as being the only one made with the whole Gyllenhaal family: father Stephen Gyllenhaal directed it, mother Naomi Foner produced and wrote it, and sons Jake Gyllenhaal and Maggie Gyllenhaal acted in it.

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Quotes

Mackey: I'm a professional asshole. i gotta find a new line of work. This is taking its toll.

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Connections

References Lethal Weapon (1987)

User Reviews

Debra Winger is marvelous

This is a good movie - not as good as the book, but still a very good movie.

Debra Winger plays Martha Horgan, a mentally disabled young woman who lives with her beautiful Aunt Frances (the always ethereal Barbara Hershey). Martha works at a dry cleaning shop, where she is framed for stealing money by the sleazy Getso (David Strathairn). Getso is the boyfriend of Martha's best (and only) friend Birdie, played by Chloe Webb. Martha sets out to prove her innocence. This is furthermore complicated by Gabriel Byrne's sexy handyman, who Martha falls in love with.

"A Dangerous Woman" is believable and the acting is wonderful. Not as good as the book, but still a very good movie.