Clara's Heart (1988)

David is a teenager whose parents are in a deteriorating marriage after their infant daughter dies. Clara is a chambermaid at a Jamaican resort who's hired to be a housekeeper. She and ... See full summary »

Director:

Robert Mulligan

Writers:

Joseph Olshan (novel), Mark Medoff (screenplay)

Stars:

Whoopi Goldberg, Michael Ontkean, Kathleen Quinlan

Nominated for 1 Golden Globe. Another 3 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Whoopi Goldberg	...	Clara Mayfield
Michael Ontkean	...	Bill Hart
Kathleen Quinlan	...	Leona Hart
Neil Patrick Harris	...	David Hart
Spalding Gray	...	Peter Epstein
Beverly Todd	...	Dora
Hattie Winston	...	Blanche Loudon
Jason Downs	...	Alan Lipsky
Caitlin Thompson	...	Celeste
Maria Broom	...	Felicia
Wanda Christine	...	Lydia
Maryce Carter	...	Babs
Angel Harper	...	Rita
Frederick Strother	...	Bundy (as Fred Strother)
Joseph Muth	...	Father Joe (as Father Joseph Muth)

Storyline

David is a teenager whose parents are in a deteriorating marriage after their infant daughter dies. Clara is a chambermaid at a Jamaican resort who's hired to be a housekeeper. She and David develop a close bond, opening his eyes and heart to new experiences, and eventually leading to a disturbing secret in Clara's past.

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Plot Keywords:

jamaican woman | teen angst | writer | choir | reference to arnold schwarzenegger | 

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Genres:

Drama

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Certificate:

PG-13

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

7 October 1988 (USA)

Also Known As:

Clara's Heart

Filming Locations:

Baltimore, Maryland, USA

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$588,869, 9 October 1988

Gross USA:

$5,194,491

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$5,194,491

Company Credits

Production Co:

MTM Enterprises, Warner Bros.

Technical Specs

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

According to Neil Patrick Harris' autobiography, the "Missing girl" on the milk carton in one scene is actually a picture of Alyssa Milano.

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Quotes

Catherine the decorator: Um David, what do you think of your dad's apartment?
David Hart: Well, it's pretty goddamn ostentatious if you ask me, but of course that's just a kid's opinion. I mean, I don't even speak Italian. Are you sexually involved with my father?

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Connections

Featured in At the Movies: The Accused/Another Woman/Madame Sousatzka/Hotel Terminus/Clara's Heart (1988)

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Soundtracks

Brown Skin Girl
Words and Music by Norman Span
Sung and hummed by Clara and David throughout the film

User Reviews

Clara's Heart is full if heart

I recently caught this on TV, and gave it a chance based on the strength of Whoopi Goldberg. In his first acting role Neil Patrick Harris is David a teenager whose parents are in a crumbling marriage after their infant daughter dies. Clara (Whoopi Goldberg) is a chambermaid at a Jamaican resort who's hired to be a housekeeper. After a rocky start she and David develop a close bond.

As much as I enjoy Goldberg's comedy roles like "Sister Act" I love it when she does serious work like this. She is an excellent dramatic actress, that should have had more top roles.

Patrick Harris is simply superb, and was nominated for a Golden Globe for his work here.

David's parents seem so self-absorbed and unconcerned about their son's welfare. I really felt sorry for him. The ending is not a "happily ever after" one, but also not horrible either.... it's nice to see something realistic for a change. It reminded me of the ending to Mrs Doubtfire.