Hysterical Blindness (TV 2002)

Two friends lament their unhappy single lives while searching for Mr. Right in 1980s New Jersey.

Director:

Mira Nair

Writers:

Laura Cahill (play), Laura Cahill (teleplay)

Stars:

Uma Thurman, Gena Rowlands, Juliette Lewis

Won 1 Golden Globe. Another 3 wins & 11 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Uma Thurman	...	Debby Miller
Gena Rowlands	...	Virginia Miller
Juliette Lewis	...	Beth
Justin Chambers	...	Rick
Ben Gazzara	...	Nick
Anthony DeSando	...	Bobby (as Anthony De Sando)
Jolie Peters	...	Amber Autumn
Callie Thorne	...	Carolann
Lisa Altomare	...	Dora
Laura Cahill	...	Tonya
Johann Carlo	...	Susan
Alex Draper	...	Michael
Russell Gibson	...	Diner Customer
Jayne Haynes	...	Annie
Susan Isaacs	...	Theresa

Storyline

In this bittersweet slice of working class single New Jersey life, best friends Debby and Beth (both pushing thirty) go looking for love in the wrong place - namely their favorite bar, Oliver's. Rugged contractor Rick eyes Beth but ends up going home with the more assertive Debby. Beth's style is further cramped by the responsibilities of single motherhood. As Debby tries to parlay what was essentially a casual fling into possible marriage with an indifferent Rick, her mother Virginia wonders if her affair with widower Nick is the real thing. Rounding out the romantic possibilities is Bobby, the bartender who flirts with Beth. The women clash as plans go awry, tragedy strikes, and hearts get broken. In the end, Debby, Beth, and Virginia find, if not the relationships of their dreams, peace with each other and within themselves.

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Plot Keywords:

1980s | bartender | bar | footsie under the table | dancing | 

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Taglines:

In the 80's, they said love was a battlefield...they were right.

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Genres:

Drama

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Certificate:

TV-MA

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

2 December 2003 (Norway)

Also Known As:

Ceguera histérica

Filming Locations:

Bayonne, New Jersey, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Blum Israel Productions, Home Box Office (HBO), Karuna Dream

Technical Specs

Runtime:

99 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.78 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The plastic-covered couch seen in Beth (Juliette Lewis)'s house was actually the property of the homeowner. When director Mira Nair saw it on a scouting trip, she decided it should stay as part of the set dressing.

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Goofs

The movie is set in 1987, but there are many late-90's model vehicles.

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Quotes

Beth: Play anything by Zeppelin, you can't go wrong.

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Connections

Featured in The 2003 IFP Independent Spirit Awards (2003)

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Soundtracks

"Dance Hall Days"
Performed by Wang Chung

User Reviews

Acting so real that it's painful to watch.

For anyone who has ever been truly, painfully lonely and done really stupid things under the influence of alcohol just to gain a little affection and affirmation, this movie will be like looking in the mirror. I winced when Uma's character literally flung herself at a guy who is, like a recent book popular dating book says, is just not that into her. The pain on Uma's character's face is just too much to take sometimes. I've watched this film twice and even though the I knew what was going to happen, seeing it a second time was just as heart-wrenching and touching. Kudos to all the actors, especially Uma Thurman and Gena Rowlands. PLEASE see every Gena Rowlands movie ever made - you won't be disappointed. She is one of the finest actors of our time.