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

The movie was filmed during October, November, and December 1992.

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Goofs

When Roy is shot in the heart at the end of the film, a small circle of blood forms around the bullet hole in his shirt. Later, when the body is shown again, the blood stain hasn't expanded in size. A real shot to the heart would have caused massive bleeding in a very short time, resulting in a greatly enlarged blood stain.

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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

Featured in Hollywood's Leading Ladies with David Sheehan (1993)

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Soundtracks

Stardust
Written by Hoagy Carmichael & Mitchell Parish
Performed by Willie Nelson
Courtesy of Columbia Records
By arrangement with Sony Music Licensing

User Reviews

Underrated Gem

"Flesh and Bone" remains to be one of the great films of the nineties, sitting alongside "Bright Angel" as one of the decade's most tragically neglected classics. Perhaps the fact it contains such a high degree of subtlety was why it wasn't appreciated when it was first released, the most frequently stated criticism being that its climax is dramatically unsatisfying, yet its somber ending works perfectly. Outside of "Hurlyburly" it is unquestionably Meg Ryan's finest performance, the same going for Quaid who gives his character a quiet desperation that becomes quite devastating by the end. Caan is great as always, but it is Paltrow who really impresses, playing a role bereft of the sugary sweetness that plagued the majority of her roles that followed. Scott Wilson also shines in a small but memorable role. "Flesh and Bone" may never receive the attention it deserves, which is a shame because it is unquestionably a lyrical masterpiece, beautifully shot and acted, recalling those low-key gems of the seventies like "The Rain People". Highly recommended.