A Dangerous Woman (1993)

Martha Horgan, a naive woman with an intellectual impairment who lives with her aunt Frances in a small town, is known for always telling the truth. She works at a dry cleaner, where her ... See full summary »

Director:

Stephen Gyllenhaal

Writers:

Mary McGarry Morris (novel), Naomi Foner (screenplay)

Stars:

Debra Winger, Barbara Hershey, Gabriel Byrne

Nominated for 1 Golden Globe. Another 1 win & 3 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Laurie Metcalf	...	Anita
Debra Winger	...	Martha
John Terry	...	Steve
Barbara Hershey	...	Frances
Maggie Gyllenhaal	...	Patsy
Jake Gyllenhaal	...	Edward (as Jacob Gyllenhaal)
Myles Sheridan	...	Paul
Chloe Webb	...	Birdy
Richard Riehle	...	John
Viveka Davis	...	Mercy
Gabriel Byrne	...	Mackey
Paul Dooley	...	Tupperware Salesman
David Strathairn	...	Getso
Brad Blaisdell	...	Wesley
Warren Munson	...	Gately

Storyline

Martha Horgan, a naive woman with an intellectual impairment who lives with her aunt Frances in a small town, is known for always telling the truth. She works at a dry cleaner, where her compulsive truth-telling leads her to report to the boss that another employee has been stealing from the cash register. The thief, in turn, accuses Martha, and she loses her job. In the mean time, a mysterious stranger named Mackey appears at Martha's residence after learning that Aunt Frances needs her porch repaired. Mackey is hired and becomes intimately involved with Martha... which only leads to tragedy.

---

Plot Keywords:

f rated | unplanned pregnancy | unwilling to lie | asperger's syndrome | stabbed to death | 

---

Genres:

Drama | Romance

---

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for some graphic sexuality, strong language and a scene of violence

Did You Know?

Trivia

Includes sequences filmed in the towns of Piru - Frances' house, and Santa Paula - the location of the dry cleaner where Martha works, both within Ventura County, California.

---

Quotes

Frances Beechum: You don't have to lie, Martha.
Martha Horgan: I *don't* lie.

---

Connections

References Lethal Weapon (1987)

---

Soundtracks

La Negrita Del Can
Written by Francisco De La Cruz
Performed by Feliz Cumbe
Courtesy of Kubaney Publishing Corp.

User Reviews

Strangely compelling...

Not a bad film for one i saw at 1.30 in the morning. Debra Winger is convincing as a mentally challenged woman who only wants to understand why being truthful doesn't work in the world around her. The fact that she has her own apartment testifying to this. Gabriel Byrne was restrained as was needed in the opposing role to the central character and gave the movie some essential compassion which worked nicely. The sex scenes were a bit graphic but i think it was necessary as the controversy between rape/consentual sex in this case was in dispute. A point not overplayed or simplified, thankfully so credit to the writer and director for that.

Overall it raised some interesting themes in societies treatment of the mentally disabled and followed through with a realistic ending. 3 out of 5.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

3 December 1993 (USA)

Also Known As:

A Dangerous Woman

Filming Locations:

Los Angeles, California, USA

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$680,441, 5 December 1993

Gross USA:

$1,497,222

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$1,497,222

Company Credits

Production Co:

Island World, Gramercy Pictures (I), Rollercoaster Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

102 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1