Hysterical Blindness (2002)

Two friends lament their unhappy single lives while searching for Mr. Right in 1980s New Jersey.

Director:

Mira Nair

Writers:

Laura Cahill (play), Laura Cahill (teleplay)

Stars:

Uma Thurman, Juliette Lewis, Gena Rowlands

Won 1 Golden Globe. Another 3 wins & 18 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Uma Thurman	...	Debby Miller
Gena Rowlands	...	Virginia Miller
Juliette Lewis	...	Beth
Justin Chambers	...	Rick
Ben Gazzara	...	Nick
Anthony DeSando	...	Bobby (as Anthony De Sando)
Jolie Peters	...	Amber Autumn
Callie Thorne	...	Carolann
Lisa Altomare	...	Dora
Laura Cahill	...	Tonya
Johann Carlo	...	Susan
Alex Draper	...	Michael
Russell Gibson	...	Diner Customer
Jayne Haynes	...	Annie
Susan Isaacs	...	Theresa

Storyline

In this bittersweet slice of working class single New Jersey life, best friends Debby and Beth (both pushing thirty) go looking for love in the wrong place - namely their favorite bar, Oliver's. Rugged contractor Rick eyes Beth but ends up going home with the more assertive Debby. Beth's style is further cramped by the responsibilities of single motherhood. As Debby tries to parlay what was essentially a casual fling into possible marriage with an indifferent Rick, her mother Virginia wonders if her affair with widower Nick is the real thing. Rounding out the romantic possibilities is Bobby, the bartender who flirts with Beth. The women clash as plans go awry, tragedy strikes, and hearts get broken. In the end, Debby, Beth, and Virginia find, if not the relationships of their dreams, peace with each other and within themselves.

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Plot Keywords:

looking at oneself in a mirror | crying woman | imaginary boyfriend | billiard cue | billiard table | 

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Taglines:

In the 80's, they said love was a battlefield...they were right.

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Genres:

Drama

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Certificate:

TV-MA

Did You Know?

Trivia

The scene in Rick (Justin Chambers)'s house - where Debby (Uma Thurman) offers to make breakfast had to be shot that way because the house actually had no kitchen. It had been gutted for renovation prior to being selected as a location for the film. The filmmakers contemplated building a fake kitchen, but the homeowner refused.

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Goofs

The movie is set in 1987, but there are many late-90's model vehicles.

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Quotes

Beth: Play anything by Zeppelin, you can't go wrong.

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Connections

Referenced in Charlie Rose: Quentin Tarantino 2003 (2003)

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Soundtracks

Promises, Promises
Written by Pete Byrne and Rob Fisher
Performed by Naked Eyes

User Reviews

Nicely Done

I enjoyed this movie because it was REAL. Hollywood too often sugarcoat characters and their experiences, almost to the point that it makes you want to puke because you know real life never turns out that peachy. This ending wasn't exactly a happy one, all the problems weren't solved and you're left to imagine what went on afterwards. Nobody fell madly in love and got married like some fairy tale... that was refreshing. Splendid job by the actors, I love Juliette Lewis, and she was her usual charming self.

My only complaint, is why was Deb so.... frustrating? I found myself asking, 'Why is she being so difficult? Why doesn't she open her eyes and see what's going on? Does she really think Rick would want anything to do with a girl he picked up from a bar and had a one night stand with?' And so forth. SHE'S the one putting HERSELF in these ridiculous and tragic situations. Halfway through the movie I just got so tired of her endless cynicism. Miss Thurman was terrific, don't get me wrong, but the character irritated me somewhat, maybe that was just me.

Other than that, I think this is one of the best HBO films so far. They really have a knack for bringing real life to the screen, I'm hardly ever disappointed. Quite a few women can probably relate to one of the characters or at least seen themselves, at one time, in their predicaments. I mean, we all want to find true love... but make sure you're looking in the right place! 7/10.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

21 August 2002 (USA)

Also Known As:

Cegueira Histérica

Filming Locations:

Bayonne, New Jersey, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

HBO Films, Blum Israel Productions, Karuna Dream

Technical Specs

Runtime:

99 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.78 : 1