She's So Lovely (1997)

After being released from a psychiatric institution, a man tries to redeem himself in the eyes of his now-ex wife from the events that led up to his incarceration.

Director:

Nick Cassavetes

Writer:

John Cassavetes

Stars:

Sean Penn, Robin Wright, John Travolta

3 wins & 4 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Robin Wright	...	Maureen Murphy Quinn (as Robin Wright Penn)
James Gandolfini	...	Kiefer
Susan Traylor	...	Lucinda
Harry Dean Stanton	...	Tony 'Shorty' Russo
Debi Mazar	...	Georgie
Bobby Cooper	...	Cooper
John Marshall Jones	...	Leonard
Chloe Webb	...	Nancy Swearingen
Sean Penn	...	Eddie Quinn
James Soravilla	...	Avi
Jamie Bozian	...	Intern #1 (as James Bozian)
Paul Johansson	...	Intern #2
Justina Machado	...	Carmen Rodriguez - Lady Ticket Taker
Tito Larriva	...	Lead Singer
Tony Marsico	...	Band Member

Storyline

Maureen is pregnant and her husband Eddie is missing. Nervous, Maureen shares a couple of drinks with neighbor Kiefer, who tries to rape her and then beats her. When Eddie returns and finds his wife bruised, he goes ballistic, shoots a paramedic and is put in a psychiatric institution. Ten years later, Eddie is released and finds that Maureen has divorced him and is remarried with three children, one of whom is his little girl Jeanie. Eddie goes to reclaim his wife.

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Plot Keywords:

protective male | obsession | class differences | passion | independent film | 

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Taglines:

The story of one outrageous woman. Caught between two men. Both of them certain of one thing...

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Genres:

Drama | Romance

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for strong language and some violence

Did You Know?

Trivia

Even though John Cassavetes is credited as the writer the film was heavily re-written by John's son Nick..

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Goofs

Joey gets out of his Cadillac holding his car keys, but the car's warning beeper signifies that the keys are still in the ignition.

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Quotes

Eddie: Do you have hair on your nails?

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Alternate Versions

The film was released straight to video in Holland. This version has no strong language whatsoever. Every swearword etc. has been badly replaced with milder versions, probably not by the actors themselves.

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Connections

Featured in Especial Cannes: 50 Anos de Festival (1997)

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Soundtracks

Rockin' Chair
(1975)
Performed by Gwen McCrae
Written by Willie Clarke & Clarence Reid
Published by Longitude Music Company
Courtesy of Rhino Records
By Arrangement with Warner Special Product

User Reviews

Disappointing posthumous John Cassavetes endeavor

The beginning credits were difficult for me to read, thus I was not cognizant of the writer or director. Sometime into the film, I pondered the striking resemblance of numerous scenes to the work of John Cassavetes. Later, I impressed myself with the discovery of his name on the video package. Cassavetes wrote and directed some excellent cinema, but this film is more akin to his dismal "Big Trouble". The script is fragmentary and lacked character motivation. The story introduces Penn and Wright as urban lovers, then suddenly switches pace when Penn has a mental episode and is institutionalized. Resuming ten years later, Penn is released only to find Wright married to another loser. As her husband, Travolta reminded me of his "Pulp Fiction" character constantly cursing and chain smoking. Unfortunately, the scenes between Penn and him are flat. I don't understand Travolta's emotional reactions to his unrealistic predicament, while Penn remains mentally incapacitated like De Niro in "The Awakenings". Wright is fine, but her role is ill-defined. It was good to see Harry Stanton with a sizable part, and Debi Mazar is alluring with her Betty Page looks. I would recommend skipping this film and seeing "Husbands", "Faces", or "A Woman under the Influence". 2 out of 4 stars.

Details

Official Sites:

Miramax

Country:

France USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

29 August 1997 (USA)

Also Known As:

She's De Lovely

Filming Locations:

Los Angeles, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$18,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$3,020,015, 1 September 1997

Gross USA:

$7,281,450

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$7,281,450

Company Credits

Production Co:

Miramax, Clyde Is Hungry Productions, Sheen/Michaels Entertainment

Technical Specs

Runtime:

100 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1