Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
Meryl Streep | ... | Lee | |
Leonardo DiCaprio | ... | Hank | |
Diane Keaton | ... | Bessie | |
Robert De Niro | ... | Dr. Wally | |
Hume Cronyn | ... | Marvin | |
Gwen Verdon | ... | Ruth | |
Hal Scardino | ... | Charlie | |
Dan Hedaya | ... | Bob | |
Margo Martindale | ... | Dr. Charlotte | |
Cynthia Nixon | ... | Retirement Home Director | |
Kelly Ripa | ... | Coral | |
John Callahan | ... | Lance | |
Olga Merediz | ... | Beauty Shop Lady | |
Joe Lisi | ... | Bruno | |
Steve DuMouchel | ... | Gas Station Guy (as Steve Dumouchel) |
Years ago, the fiercely independent Lee took off for Ohio, while her older sister Bessie stayed home to look after their bedridden father, Marvin. Lee has troubles of her own, including her mischievous son Hank, who has a knack for burning down the neighborhood when she's not looking. Seventeen years since her last visit, and after an unexpected call from Bessie, Lee's packs up Hank and his younger brother Charlie for the trip home.
This stage to screen adaptation about two estranged sisters attempting a reconciliation after one is diagnosed with cancer is sentimental to the extreme, manipulative beyond forgiveness.....and had me close to blubbering like a baby by the time it was over.
Chalk it up to the fact that I had recently lost a grandmother to cancer, but this film nearly devastated me even as I was mad that it was so maudlin. The fact that it works as well as it does is due largely to the fact that such good actors are cast in it. Meryl Streep and Diane Keaton play the sisters (Keaton is the ill one), and while it would never have occurred to me to put these two actresses together, the decision was inspired. And right before he rocketed to international fame, Leonardo DiCaprio does strong work as Keaton's troubled nephew.
I won't even try to defend this film against those who say it's too schmaltzy to bear, but please let the rest of us enjoy it in blubbery peace.
Grade: A-