The Yellow Handkerchief (2008)

A road trip through Louisiana transforms three strangers who were originally brought together by their respective feelings of loneliness.

Director:

Udayan Prasad

Writers:

Pete Hamill (story), Erin Dignam (screenplay)

Stars:

William Hurt, Maria Bello, Kristen Stewart

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
William Hurt	...	Brett Hanson
Maria Bello	...	May
Kristen Stewart	...	Martine
Eddie Redmayne	...	Gordy
Kaori Momoi	...	Motel Owner
Emmanuel Cohn	...	Male Doctor (as Emanuel K. Cohn)
Nurith Cohn	...	Female Nurse
Veronica Russell	...	Pregnant Warden
Grover Coulson	...	Farnsworth
Lisha Brock	...	Waitress
Lucy Faust	...	Snotty Girl (as Lucy Adair Faust)
John Gregory Willard	...	Blonde
Rebecca Newman	...	Ilene
Ross Britz	...	Friend
Marshall Cain	...	Ferry Driver

Storyline

One lazy afternoon in a backwater Louisiana town, Martine takes a leap into an unfamiliar convertible. The driver, Gordy, an awkward young itinerant who eyed her in the diner earlier, isn't displeased to find this pretty sylph in his front seat. Soon they meet Brett, a laconic, humble man just released from prison. Martine isn't keen on going solo with Gordy, and now it's raining cats and dogs, so she invites Brett along, and the unlikely trio sets out, each person unsure of the destination. What ensues is a journey through the lush green byways of rural Louisiana and into the depths of these characters' souls.

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Plot Keywords:

louisiana | road trip | search for father | color in title | teenage boy | 

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Taglines:

A love lost in the past. A love struggling for a future.

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Genres:

Drama | Romance

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for sexual content, some violence, language and thematic elements

Details

Official Sites:

Facebook Official site

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

19 November 2009 (Germany)

Also Known As:

Das gelbe Segel

Filming Locations:

Morgan City, Louisiana, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$15,500,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

$37,296 (USA) (26 February 2010)

Gross:

$317,040 (USA) (14 May 2010)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Arthur Cohn Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

102 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital DTS SDDS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

To prepare for the role, William Hurt spent a night in Louisiana State Penitentiary - better known as Angola.

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Quotes

May: You still want to get married?
Brett Hanson: To who?

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Connections

Remake of The Yellow Handkerchief (1977)

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Soundtracks

"I'm Coming Home"
Written by Clifton Chenier
Performed by 'Rockin' Dopsie And The Zydeco Twisters'

User Reviews

Character, story driven gem.

I really enjoyed this movie! The performances were subtle, layered, charming and fascinating and I'm surprised this movie didn't get noticed during the awards season. The raw landscapes, isolated buildings and the retro car they make there journey to a fresh start all make a hauntingly beautiful setting. The movie has a quiet confidence, artistic and a involving, star crossed story that for the first half leaves you in suspense, it follows Brett Hanson played by William Hurt who was recently released after 6 years from prison for manslaughter and hitches a ride to go back home to his wife with a young duo Martine and Gordy played Kristen Stewart in another great indie performance and she was stunning in this movie, Eddie Redmayne plays an awkward oddball but in a touching way and Maria Bello who isn't seen as much plays the wife May was excellent as always and man is she sexy. It just has a great story told in a real, beautiful way and is very relatable that makes it even more effective topped off with a very satisfying and touching ending that makes this an almost flawless indie. Highly recommended! More of a 4.5 out of 5 stars.