Beloved (1998)

Based on the book by Toni Morrison, in which a slave is visited by the spirit of a mysterious young woman

Director:

Jonathan Demme

Writers:

Toni Morrison (novel), Akosua Busia (screenplay)

Stars:

Oprah Winfrey, Danny Glover, Yada Beener

Nominated for 1 Oscar. Another 3 wins & 23 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Yada Beener	...	Denver aged 9
Emil Pinnock	...	Howard aged 14
Calen Johnson	...	Buglar aged 13
Oprah Winfrey	...	Sethe
Beah Richards	...	Baby Suggs
Danny Glover	...	Paul D
Kimberly Elise	...	Denver
Jude Ciccolella	...	Schoolteacher
Kessia Embry	...	Amy Denver (as Kessia Kordelle)
Dashiell Eaves	...	Schoolteacher's Nephew
LisaGay Hamilton	...	Younger Sethe (as Lisa Gay Hamilton)
Tyler Hinson	...	Baby Beloved
Brian Hooks	...	Young Paul D
Hill Harper	...	Halle
Thandie Newton	...	Beloved

Storyline

A couple allows a strange, autistic person to come in their house. She causes problems for the couple and reminds the woman of her previous daughter. Nonetheless, the couple takes her in and treats her well. Through Voodoo, she releases her spirits. Meanwhile, their remaining daughter tries to find work.

---

Plot Keywords:

f rated | spirit | farm | freedom | slavery | 

---

Taglines:

The past has a life of its own.

---

Genres:

Drama | History | Horror

---

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for violent images, sexuality and nudity

Did You Know?

Trivia

A subplot in the novel, but omitted from the film, suggests that Beloved might actually be a missing woman from a nearby town, who was tortured and imprisoned by a white man. The subplot underscored Sethe's need for Beloved to be her reincarnated daughter.

---

Goofs

A mixing bowl that Sithe was using in the begining breaks when the ghost attacks for the last time. It's whole again in the scene where she is picking the ice towards the end.

---

Quotes

Denver: How come everybody from Sweet Home can't stop talking about it? Seems to me if it was so sweet, you wouldn't have run away.
Sethe: Girl, who you think you talking to?
Paul D: No, she's right, Sethe. It wasn't sweet, and it sure wasn't home.

---

Crazy Credits

In lieu of traditional opening credits, the movie begins with the camera moving through a cemetery to focus on a gravestone engraved with the sole word "BELOVED".

---

Connections

Referenced in At the Movies: Pleasantville/The Alarmist/The Lion King II: Simba's Pride/Apt Pupil/Life is Beautiful (1998)

---

Soundtracks

Pullin' The Skiff
Traditional
Performed by Oprah Winfrey, Kimberly Elise, Thandie Newton

User Reviews

Love It or Hate It

After reading Beloved at least 6 or 7 times, needless to say I was thrilled when I learned it was going to be filmed. But after hearing the mixed reviews while it was in the theaters I decided to wait for the video. I wasn't disappointed. How were they going to portray Beloved, I wondered? The same way I wondered how they would portray the young girl in Interview with a Vampire? Difficult to translate to a screen, but in each case the director and actors developed believable characters. Yes, Beloved was bizarre, like someone under the ground too long: her infant wailing, unusual gait, halting speech patterns, rages, etc. Who was she? Do we really know? The ambiguity prevails. When Forester was asked if Adela was really raped in A Passage to India, he replied, "What do *you* think?"

I loved this film, and hung on every word. One complaint: There should have been more of Baby Suggs sermon. It was the moment of strength and power on which the theme of the film rested. The entire cast was brilliant.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

16 October 1998 (USA)

Also Known As:

Beloved

Filming Locations:

Eckert James River Bat Cave Preserve, Mason County, Texas, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$80,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$8,165,551, 18 October 1998

Gross USA:

$22,852,487

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$22,852,487

Company Credits

Production Co:

Harpo Films, Clinica Estetico, Touchstone Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

172 min

Sound Mix:

DTS Dolby Digital SDDS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1