How to Make an American Quilt (1995)

Bride-to-be Finn Dodd hears tales of romance and sorrow from her elders as they construct a quilt.

Director:

Jocelyn Moorhouse

Writers:

Whitney Otto (novel), Jane Anderson (screenplay)

Stars:

Winona Ryder, Ellen Burstyn, Anne Bancroft

4 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Kaelynn Craddick	...	Young Finn
Sara Craddick	...	Young Finn
Kate Capshaw	...	Sally
Adam Baldwin	...	Finn's Father
Winona Ryder	...	Finn
Dermot Mulroney	...	Sam
Ellen Burstyn	...	Hy
Anne Bancroft	...	Glady Joe
Maya Angelou	...	Anna
Alfre Woodard	...	Marianna
Lois Smith	...	Sophia
Jean Simmons	...	Em
Kate Nelligan	...	Constance
Denis Arndt	...	James
Rip Torn	...	Arthur

Storyline

Finn is a young graduate student, finishing a master's thesis, and preparing for marriage to her fiance Sam. But thoughts of the end of the free life, and a potential summer fling, intrude. She goes home to her grandmother, where, over the making of her wedding gift by a group of quilting-bee friends, laughter, bickering, love, and advice lead her toward a more open-eyed examination of her course.

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Plot Keywords:

younger version of character | triple f rated | title directed by female | love | marriage | 

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Taglines:

There's beauty in the patterns of life.

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Romance

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for a scene of drug use, some sensuality and nudity

Did You Know?

Trivia

Joanna Going and Adam Baldwin were both in Wyatt Earp (1994).

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Goofs

When Finn meets Leon at the pool for the first time, the towel around her waist disappears and reappears.

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Quotes

Em Reed: To hell if I know where love resides.

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Connections

Referenced in Scrubs: My Occurrence (2002)

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Soundtracks

Cherry, Cherry
Written and Performed by Neil Diamond
Courtesy of Columbia Records
By arrangement with Sony Music Licensing

User Reviews

Find the thread that hold's it together

I have watched parts of this movie more than once. The movie from start to finish only once. Each story unfolds like a facet on the quilt. Then as the main plot line draws to a conclusion, the thread that binds these stories together resolves each individual facet, to complete the whole.

Quilting as I understand it, is bringing many contributions together to create a final product. Each little design tells a story and the master quilter put's these stories together , to convey a theme or message.

I have not read the novel, but the movie conveys the message in it's title.

The soundtrack is tranquil and adds to the mood.

The interplay between Burstyn and Bancroft is a pleasure to watch. Winona is excellent.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

6 October 1995 (USA)

Also Known As:

How to Make an American Quilt

Filming Locations:

Universal City, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$10,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$5,790,445, 8 October 1995

Gross USA:

$23,600,020

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$41,200,020

Company Credits

Production Co:

Universal Pictures, Amblin Entertainment

Technical Specs

Runtime:

117 min

Sound Mix:

DTS-Stereo DTS Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1