Earthly Possessions (TV 1999)

A bored wife, who is planning to run away from her minister husband, is taken hostage in a bank robbery. However, she sees the thrill in being involved in the chase and becomes an ... See full summary »

Director:

James Lapine

Writers:

Anne Tyler (book), Steven Rogers (teleplay)

Stars:

Susan Sarandon, Phoebe Lapine, Anna Rose Menken

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Susan Sarandon	...	Charlotte Emory
Phoebe Lapine	...	Cheerleader #1
Anna Rose Menken	...	Cheerleader #2 (as Anna Manken)
Marge Redmond	...	Old Woman In Bank
Danielle Ferland	...	Baby Whitehead
Stephen Dorff	...	Jake Simms, Jr.
Marialisa Costanzo	...	Screaming Woman
William Hill	...	Bank Guard
Brenda Currin	...	Street Witness
Margo Martindale	...	Libby
Julyana Soelistyo	...	Sour Waitress
Tak Wah Eng	...	Bartender
Boyd Gaines	...	Announcer
Deborah Rush	...	Heidi Anderson
John Christopher Jones	...	Marvel Hodge

Storyline

A bored wife, who is planning to run away from her minister husband, is taken hostage in a bank robbery. However, she sees the thrill in being involved in the chase and becomes an accomplice to helping the younger robber escape his pursuers. As things progress, she learns he pulled the robbery to get enough money to help his pregnant girlfriend leave a home for unwed mothers. The two have a brief flirtation, but it is clear the housewife just needs something to enliven her life.

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Plot Keywords:

hostage | escape | bank | robbery | bank robbery | 

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Taglines:

Charlotte wasn't looking to meet Jake. And Jake wasn't looking to take a hostage. Some people should look where they're going.

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Genres:

Crime | Drama | Romance

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for some language

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

20 March 1999 (USA)

Also Known As:

Destino fatale

Filming Locations:

Gas station - U.S. 9W & Christian Herald Road, Upper Nyack, New York, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$8,000,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Rastar Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

105 min

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Trivia

The film was shot entirely on location in the New York/New Jersey area at the request of star Susan Sarandon due to her well-known and publicized policy of filming projects close to home during the school year in order to be close to her children and not to disrupt their routine.

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Quotes

Jake: Look, I'm not one of your kids, lady, so don't try and lecture me.
Charlotte: [interrupting] Oh, I haven't got any kids.
Jake: What? You said that...
Charlotte: Well I lied. After my miscarriage I couldn't have any.
[beat]
Charlotte: I lie to myself sometimes. I pretend I have kids. I pretend what they would be like...
[beat]
Charlotte: I've never told that to anyone before.
Jake: I didn't mean any of those things I said.
Charlotte: I know.
[...]

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Soundtracks

"Hold That Tiger"
Arranged by John M. Higgins & Harry DeCosta

User Reviews

A very great movie, full of drama and comedy.

This movie was a big breakthrough for HBO. I have seen some of HBO's original movies, and I have to say that with most of them I was disappointed, but this movie it was the exact opposite. Stephen Dorff made the character seem real, he really got into his role. The cast and crew did a splendid job, the atmosphere of this movie was very comfortable. Also the humor of the movie was great, at certain parts you were on the edge of your seat, wondering what happened next. Susan Sarandon did a GREAT job, and as one of her biggest fans, I have to say that this is one of her greatest films, although all of them are great!

Earthly Possessions is a great combination of drama, suspense, and comedy. Although it is an original HBO movie, I would love to see it out on video, because it is a very great movie. Everyone reading this should check the TV Guide and the next time it comes on should watch it. You won't be disappointed, I promise you that, because I sure wasn't.