Wild Iris (TV 2001)

A woman and her teenage son move back in with her mother to work together in the family bridal business.

Director:

Daniel Petrie

Writer:

Kent Broadhurst

Stars:

Gena Rowlands, Laura Linney, Emile Hirsch

Won 1 Primetime Emmy. Another 3 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Gena Rowlands	...	Minnie Brinn
Laura Linney	...	Iris Bravard
Emile Hirsch	...	Lonnie Bravard
Fred Ward	...	Errol Podubney
Lee Tergesen	...	Lud van Eppy
Miguel Sandoval	...	Ramando Galvez
Scott Gibson	...	Ronnie Dale Bravard
Amy Stewart	...	Rhondlyn Podubney
Michael McLachlan	...	Gang Leader
Philip Eddolls	...	Teenager #1
Nathan Hoppe	...	Teenager #2
Peter Costigan	...	Teenager #3
Caroline Gillis	...	Smoking Mother at Mall
Boyd Banks	...	Handprint Clerk
Ingrid Veninger	...	Woman in Line at the Mall

Storyline

A weary young woman, Iris Brevard, is forced to move in with her overbearing mother, Min, following her husband's suicide. She finds her only escape from her mother's badgering is to verbally fight back and to hide herself in an alcoholic haze. Unfortunately, her young teen son, Lonnie, observes all of this and finds himself torn between the two women. The older woman is multi-dimensional as she is clearly shown as manipulative and critical, but also as loving and charming. This is clearly shown in scenes with Fred Ward as the father of a bride-to-be who comes to the women's bridal gown shop to stop the purchase of his daughter's wedding dress. After facing Rowlands, he willingly writes the check for the next dress payment. The film also raises questions about whether Min was responsible for the suicide of Iris' husband. As Lonnie questions his father's death and is faced with similar pressures, he also clearly is considering his life options.

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Plot Keywords:

suicide | wedding dress | wedding | shopping mall | mechanic | 

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Taglines:

Secrets, lies, unspoken truths... there's no place like home.

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Genres:

Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language and some strong sexuality

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

5 August 2001 (USA)

Also Known As:

Desaliento

Company Credits

Technical Specs

Runtime:

93 min

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Connections

Features Branded (1950)

User Reviews

3 generations of fine actors in a somewhat deficient vehicle

Gena Rowlands and Laura Linney are two actresses who simply never turn in less than excellent performances no matter what the material they lend their astonishing talents to. "Wild Iris" offers them both a wonderful opportunity to display their craft. While the script is certainly above average, it does not quite make the grade to which they are so deserving. Ultimately these characters fail to convince, through no fault of the actresses, but rather to the writer's spurious characterisation.

While Rowlands and Linney are amongst the best performers of their generations, young Emile Hirsch shows much promise as a representative actor of his generation. He has a natural sensitivity and vulnerability which endows his portrayal with much conviction. He would reprise this role of a sensitive teenager anguishing over the death of a parent in a world that does not acknowledge his inner pain in "The Mudge Boy".

With three outstanding performances "Wild Iris" is certainly a movie to seek out, despite the deficient screenplay.