Acts of Love (1996)
"Carried Away" (original title)

Joseph Svenden is a middle-aged schoolteacher who lives on a farm with his dying mother. In his simple life there are no excitements, even in long-time relationship with a widow. However, ... See full summary »

Director:

Bruno Barreto

Writers:

Jim Harrison (novel), Ed Jones (screenplay)

Stars:

Dennis Hopper, Amy Irving, Amy Locane

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Dennis Hopper	...	Joseph Svenden
Amy Irving	...	Rosealee Henson
Amy Locane	...	Catherine Wheeler
Julie Harris	...	Joseph's Mother
Gary Busey	...	Major Nathan Wheeler
Hal Holbrook	...	Doctor Evans
Christopher Pettiet	...	Robert Henson
Priscilla Pointer	...	Lily Henson
Gail Cronauer	...	Beverly
Alissa Alban	...	School Board Superintendent
E.J. Morris	...	School Board Woman
Joe Stevens	...	School Board Man
Connie Cooper	...	Charlotte
Eleese Lester	...	Marie
Doug Jackson	...	Frank

Storyline

Joseph Svenden is a middle-aged schoolteacher who lives on a farm with his dying mother. In his simple life there are no excitements, even in long-time relationship with a widow. However, when 17-year old beauty enrolls in his class, Joseph would soon end up in her arms. After that, Joseph is torn between the passion and feeling that he is doing something wrong.

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Plot Keywords:

mother | male rear nudity | nudity | lolita | female nudity | 

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Taglines:

No love is safe from desire.

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Genres:

Drama | Romance

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for nudity, strong sexuality and language

Details

Official Sites:

Official Site

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

31 May 1996 (Greece)

Also Known As:

Acts of Love

Filming Locations:

Texas, USA

Box Office

Gross:

$156,975 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

New Line Cinema, Fine Line Features, Cinetel Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

109 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color (Alphacine)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Both Dennis Hopper and Amy Irving have full frontal nude scenes in the film.

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Goofs

When Catherine's parents come to Joseph's house, the hall clock reads 8:35. When Catherine shows up just after her parents leave, the same clock now reads 7:35.

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Quotes

[On being a spurned middle aged lover]
Rosalee Henson: I'm not going to get another chance.

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Connections

Referenced in Siskel & Ebert: Episode dated 13 April 1996 (1996)

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Soundtracks

"SERENADE FOR STRINGS IN E, OP. 22"
Written by Antonín Dvorák
Performed by the Slovak Philharmonic
Courtesy of Naxos of America
By Arrangement with Source/Q

User Reviews

Strong, sad, erotic film about lonely lives and taking chances

Very well acted by Amy Irving, allowing herself to look drab, and older, and especially Dennis Hopper, who gives what might be his most restrained performance ever, and creates an unforgettable character in the process.

This tale of a mid-western, self confessed 'mediocre farmer and schoolteacher' having an erotic affair with a 17 year old student, and the effect it has on his life, especially his long standing, but now somewhat inert relationship with his fellow teacher, is really about taking risks in life, even bad ones, and how we need those to stay alive.

I like and admire that the film neither fully condemns or approves of anyone or any action. Everything is complex.

Sadly, Amy Locaine as the girl, while stunningly beautiful, isn't at the acting level of her older co-stars, nor his her character written with the same kind of insight and precision, which hurts the overall effect. And some of the writing is a little overly poetic and theatrical.

Still, it's an unique film, dealing with sex, aging, morality, fear and self-image in a far more complex, mature way than most American films, and for once treats mid-western farm folks as just as complex, intelligent and tortured as their big-city counterparts.