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.
Meryl Streep has unparalleled talent. (and no, I don't mean just her much joked-about ability with accents) She constantly takes less than sympathetic parts and gives them a luster few others can, e.g. "The French Lieutenant's Woman", "A Cry in the Dark", Kramer vs. Kramer". Her performance in "Marvin's Room" is another tour de force. Diane Keaton is also marvelous, and DiCaprio is at least playing a character he looks old enough for.