Flesh and Bone (1993)

Decades after, a son of a killer falls in love with a girl, which family's horrifying murder he saw in childhood.

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:

murder of a child | witness to murder | father son relationship | murder of a family | son of murderer falls in love with daughter of murder victim | 

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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

Shot at the Sunset Motel in Monahans, Texas, owned and operated by Doris Barker. Daughter Jeanie Barker Scott's stepdaughter got a walk-on role when a young actress called in sick. Shooting the week there were James Caan, Dennis Quaid, Meg Ryan, and Gwyneth Paltrow.

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Goofs

When Arlis is a boy, the star tattoo is on the right side of his forehead. As an adult when Arlis pulls back his hair in a hotel room, the tattoo has moved to the left side of his forehead.

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Quotes

Kay: You got a pretty face, you should let the boys see it.
Ginnie: It ain't my face the boys want to see.

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Connections

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

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Soundtracks

Sometimes You Just Can't Win
Written by Smokey Stover
Performed by George Jones
Courtesy of Liberty Records
Under license from CEMA Special Markets

User Reviews

Fine performances; first class writing and direction

Very few false moments in this Sydney Pollack ensembled film. Steven Kloves shows skilled insight as both writer and director here, putting fine oblique touches to his dialogue, applying a steady observant eye (with DP Phillipe Rousselot's help) to the blocking and shooting, and using Thomas Newman's music to optimum effect. His sparse and well-placed music cues highlight the great writing by Tom Newman here, which is of a quality equal to Newman's later score for Horse Whisperer. TN is truly one of the most evocative composers working in film this decade.

Flesh and Bone features the best acting I've ever seen Meg Ryan do, though she won't probably cite it herself, any more than Sarandon cites Lorenzo's Oil. Disregard the flack. Serious character work going on here if you want to see what Ryan can really do.

Her hubby Dennis Quaid antes up too, combining sullen, well modulated internal work with a wry vocal tone and a great understanding of his character's moment to moment decision making. No rakish charm here.

Paltrow is surprisingly edgy and cynical, although mostly a foil for Ryan and Caan. Caan is workman-like, effective, but a hair hammier than the rest. Luckily the script and director don't give Jimmy too much rein; he's done better (For fine Caan see Chapter Two or Thief). Overall, Flesh and Bone is a solid nine drama, well worth renting, and graced with a few story surprises. Real film buffs will be gratified.