Pearl Diver (2004)

Director:

Sidney King

Writer:

Sidney King

Stars:

Emily Stoltzfus, Jeremy Glickstein, Joey Honsa

7 wins.

Cast

Cast overview:
Emily Stoltzfus	...	Young Hannah
Jeremy Glickstein	...	Sam Pope
Joey Honsa	...	Hannah Eberly
Amy Jean Johnson	...	Marian Miller
Maddie Abshire	...	Rebecca Miller
Brian Boland	...	John Miller
Bob Miller	...	Dr. Gardner
Evgeniy Lazarev	...	Issac Epp (as Yevgeni Lazarev)
Kim Stauffer	...	Rachel Eberly
Cary Leiter	...	Jessup
Arden Weiner	...	Young Marian
Christopher Collard	...	Ryan Epp
Edwin Wilson	...	Attorney Charles Moore
Jim Bowen	...	Real Estate Agent
Laura Gouin	...	Donna

Storyline

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Genres:

Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for violent content

Details

Official Sites:

Official site

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

15 October 2004 (USA)

Filming Locations:

Chicago, Illinois, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Proud Cut Films

Technical Specs

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Shot in 17 days.

User Reviews

Beautiful and complex: a classic story about sisters

Pearl Diver is beautifully done, deep, rich, and unpretentious. It explores the relationship between Mennonite sisters who, as children, witnessed their mother's murder. They have dealt with it in different ways: Hannah, by following her anger to a new life in the city; and Marian, by internalizing her feelings and remaining true to her Mennonite upbringing. While it may seem that Marian is in denial, subsequent revelations ~ presented through flashbacks ~ show that her anger may have been transmuted into a sad wisdom. Her silence stems from secrecy; her forgiveness, from guilt. Flashbacks are beautifully done. The main themes are pretty straightforward, but the suspense and complexity keep it from being static. Mature viewers and readers of classic novels will enjoy the depth and foreshadowing. (The anecdote from Marian's opening scene, of Dirk Willems ~ an Anabaptist martyr ~ foreshadows a flashback scene in which Marian's character is given added dimension.) Mennonite lifestyles are portrayed with dignity, but without idealization. Hannah's character is critical of the lifestyle, but her criticism is balanced by the integrity of the Mennonites. The solution to the financial crisis is somewhat convenient; but it has the strength of symbolism on its side. Action buffs and viewers who like superficial themes will be bored or mystified. The film is not typical Hollywood.