Blue Sky (1994)

Hank Marshall is a tough, square-jawed, straitlaced Army engineer and nuclear science expert, assigned to help conduct weapons-testing in 1950's America. Hank has become a thorn in the side... See full summary »

Director:

Tony Richardson

Writers:

Rama Laurie Stagner (story), Rama Laurie Stagner (screenplay),

Stars:

Jessica Lange, Tommy Lee Jones, Powers Boothe

Won 1 Oscar. Another 4 wins & 4 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Jessica Lange	...	Carly Marshall
Tommy Lee Jones	...	Hank Marshall
Powers Boothe	...	Vince Johnson
Carrie Snodgress	...	Vera Johnson
Amy Locane	...	Alex Marshall
Chris O'Donnell	...	Glenn Johnson
Mitch Ryan	...	Ray Stevens (as Mitchell Ryan)
Dale Dye	...	Col. Mike Anwalt
Timothy Scott	...	Ned Owens (as Tim Scott)
Annie Ross	...	Lydia
Anna Klemp	...	Becky Marshall
Anthony Rene Jones	...	Helicopter Pilot
Jay H. Seidl	...	Soldier on Island
David Bradford	...	Soldier #1
Matt Battaglia	...	NATO Soldier

Storyline

Hank Marshall is a tough, square-jawed, straitlaced Army engineer and nuclear science expert, assigned to help conduct weapons-testing in 1950's America. Hank has become a thorn in the side of the Army, though, for a couple of very different reasons. He is an outspoken opponent of atmospheric testing, though his superiors hold contrary views and want to squelch his concerns...and his reports. The other problem is his wife, Carly. She is voluptuous and volatile, wreaking havoc in his personal life and stirring up intrigue at each new Army base.

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Plot Keywords:

army | military | military base | alabama | daughter | 

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Taglines:

In a world of secrets, love is the most powerful weapon.

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Genres:

Drama | Romance

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Certificate:

PG-13

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

16 September 1994 (USA)

Also Known As:

Céu Azul

Filming Locations:

Alabama, USA

Box Office

Gross:

$3,359,465 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Heathrow Productions, Orion Pictures Corporation

Technical Specs

Runtime:

101 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Dolby SR

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Completed in 1991, but not released until 1994 due to Orion Pictures' bankruptcy.

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Goofs

When Vince Johnson visits Carly in the hospital, he walks up to the left side of the bed and places the flowers on her from the right side of the bed.

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Quotes

Carly Marshall: Brigitte Bardot strips for millions, she's a goddess. I sunbathe topless and I'm a scandal.
Hank Marshall: You're not Brigitte Bardot, remember?!
Carly Marshall: [adopting Brigitte Bardot's husky accent] Wazza matta? I no make you happy?!

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Connections

Featured in The 67th Annual Academy Awards (1995)

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Soundtracks

"Young Mind"
Written by Johnny Meyers
Performed by Johnny Meyers & Amos Milburn
Courtesy of Ace Records, Inc.

User Reviews

Jessica Lange and Tommy Lee Jones shine in soap opera storyline.

I have admired Jessica Lange's acting ability for years. She is able to convey a bimbo-like image with such intelligence and strength, an achievement that few actresses could pull off well. It's easy to see from BLUE SKY why Lange was chosen to play Blanche Dubois in the TV version of "A Streetcar Named Desire." She plays in this Oscar-winning role an emotionally unbalanced wife and mother named Carly, the type of woman that makes small-town wives fend for the safety of their marriages. She is very sensual, sometimes obnoxious, and definitely a show-stopper. Tommy Lee Jones is a nuclear scientist employed in the military during the early sixties, fearful of another meltdown. He also has to secure his wife's sexual appetites, which could easily get out of control, especially around a libido-driven sargent played by Powers Boothe. The nuclear storyline, almost a backdrop,gets in the way of the meat of the plot, that of the sensuous Lange and the two daughters. I'm not saying the actors in this film don't have power, they most certainly do, but they seem to be caught in a run-of-the-mill soap opera coloured by nuclear testing. Jessica Lange does have an award-worthy part to play, but it belongs with more powerful material, reminiscent of something like "Streetcar."