Flesh and Bone (1993)

Around thirty years after Arlis witnessed his father murdering a family, he runs into Kay, who happens to be the family's baby, who was spared. Kay and Arlis suspect nothing about each ... See full summary »

Director:

Steve Kloves

Writer:

Steve Kloves

Stars:

Dennis Quaid, Meg Ryan, James Caan

1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Julia McNeal	...	Sarah Willets (as Julia Mueller)
Ron Kuhlman	...	Clem Willets
Jerry Swindall	...	Young Arlis
Ryan Bohls	...	Scotty Willets
James Caan	...	Roy Sweeney
Dennis Quaid	...	Arlis Sweeney
Ez Perez	...	Boy in Suit
Craig Erickson	...	Tiny Ted
Barbara Alyn Woods	...	Cindy
Gwyneth Paltrow	...	Ginnie
Joe Berryman	...	Plump Man
Meg Ryan	...	Kay Davies
Scott Wilson	...	Elliot
James N. Harrell	...	Woody
Gerardo Johnson	...	Juan

Storyline

Around thirty years after Arlis witnessed his father murdering a family, he runs into Kay, who happens to be the family's baby, who was spared. Kay and Arlis suspect nothing about each other, but when his father returns, old wounds are reopened.

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Plot Keywords:

baby | girl in a cake | derelict house | condom | vending machine | 

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Taglines:

Evil is patient

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Genres:

Drama | Mystery | Romance

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

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

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

5 November 1993 (USA)

Also Known As:

A Força de um Passado

Filming Locations:

Stanton, Texas, USA

Box Office

Gross USA:

$9,488,998

Company Credits

Production Co:

Mirage Enterprises,Spring Creek Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

126 min 116 min (TV)

Sound Mix:

Dolby DTS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Dennis Quaid finished filming Undercover Blues (1993) on a Friday, and reported to duty on this movie's set the following Monday.

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Goofs

When Arliss looks at the photo of Kay's family, the photo shown in the first shot is not the same photo as that shown a few seconds later in the close-up. In the close-up, the trees are gone from the background, the baby's hand is outstretched and you can clearly see the mother's face.

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Quotes

Waitress: Unless that little pastry inside comes with a bicycle pump and two sisters, there ain't gonna be a farm animal safe for three counties tonight.

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Connections

Spoofed in Flesh and Boner (1994)

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Soundtracks

Lilita
Written by Bill Bernstein
Performed by Desert Star Boys

User Reviews

Haunting and lovely

Arlis (Dennis Quaid) is a vending machine owner who roams from town to town in West Texas. Greatly disturbed by horrific memories from his childhood, Arlis fails to connect with the women he meets. He prefers trysts with married women where no strings are attached. All of this changes the day Arlis meets Kay (Meg Ryan). Running away from an abusive and spendthrift husband, Kay encounters Arlis in a bar under amusing circumstances. Soon after, she is traveling with him on his circuit and they are falling in love. Bliss, however, is short. Arlis' evil father (James Caan) re-enters the life of his son and Arlis must once again suffer the consequences of the ties that bind them. Will it be possible for Arlis to break free from his past and begin a new life with Kay?

This is, truly, one of the most haunting films ever made. The story is a multi-faceted study of the nature of good and evil. Quaid and Ryan give such depth to their doomed and complex characters that the viewer stays mesmerized as the story unfolds. Caan, too, is a wonder as the bad-to-the-bone father. As for the sweeping and lovely cinematography, it perfectly realizes the beauty and desolation that is west Texas. The final scenes are guaranteed to put a lump in anyone's throat, tears included. Recommended highly for discriminating movie fans everywhere.