House of Cards (1993)

Director:

Michael Lessac

Writers (WGA):

Michael Lessac (story) &
Robert Jay Litz (story) ...

Release Date:

25 June 1993 (USA)

Genre:

Drama

Tagline:

A Journey That Will Open Your Mind... And Touch Your Heart.

Plot:

When Ruth Matthews's husband is killed in a fall at an archaeological dig, her daughter Sally handles her father's death in a very odd manner...

Plot Keywords:

Daughter | Autism | Card | Crisis | Child's Point Of View

Awards:

2 wins

Cast

Kathleen Turner	...	Ruth Matthews
Tommy Lee Jones	...	Jake Beerlander
Asha Menina	...	Sally Matthews
Shiloh Strong	...	Michael Matthews
Esther Rolle	...	Adelle
Park Overall	...	Lillian Huber
Michael Horse	...	Stoker
Anne Pitoniak	...	Judge
Joaquín Martínez	...	Selord
Jacqueline Cassell	...	Gloria Miller (as Jacqueline Cassel)
John Henderson	...	Bart Huber
Craig Fuller	...	Ray Huber
Rick Marshall	...	Frank Stearson
Reuben Valiquette Murray	...	Reuben
Emily Russell	...	Emily

Also Known As:

Before I Wake (USA) (working title)

MPAA:

Rated PG-13 for theme.

Runtime:

Netherlands:109 min | USA:109 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

Iceland:L | South Korea:12 | UK:15 | Germany:12 | USA:PG-13

Filming Locations:

Greensboro, North Carolina, USA

Company:

A&M Films

Trivia:

This film was completed in 1991 by A&M Films. The film then was shelved for two years until it was picked up by Miramax Films for release in 1993.

Goofs:

Factual errors: Kathleen Turner's character says that all railways in the world have the same gauge which is absolutely not true. Examples: Spain - 5' 6"; Ireland - 5' 3" and 3'; India - 5' 6", 2'6" + 1m; Peru - 3'; Portugal - 5' 5 9/16" (1.1665m) + 1 m; Russia - 5'; East Africa - 1m; Nigeria - 3'6"; Sierra Leone - 2'6"; South Africa - 3'6"; Burma - 1m; Ceylon 5'6" + 2'6".

Quotes:

[first lines from off]
Sally Matthews: Why do people dream?
Selord: To see things better.
Sally Matthews: Where do people come from?
Selord: The gods made them.
Sally Matthews: Where do the gods live?
Selord: They live in every living thing.
Sally Matthews: Why did they make people?
Selord: They were bored. They needed people around to entertain them.
Sally Matthews: Why do the gods let people die?
[...]

Movie Connections:

References TRON (1982)

Spectacular yarn

I found the story engrossing and especially enjoyed how the characters put the pieces together as the movie progressed. I also thought parts of the soundtrack were excellent. There is one scene that has stayed with me years after I saw the flick.

This is not a documentary. One reason I rented the movie is my clinical experience with autistic children. If you are the kind of person who requires movies even tangentally reflect how it is in the real world then don't watch it. If you think Hollywood will educate the public about autism this movie will upset you.

This is a thinking person's movie.