A decaying New England town is the backdrop for its unique citizens, led by unassuming restaurant manager Miles Roby.A decaying New England town is the backdrop for its unique citizens, led by unassuming restaurant manager Miles Roby.A decaying New England town is the backdrop for its unique citizens, led by unassuming restaurant manager Miles Roby.
- Won 1 Primetime Emmy
- 10 wins & 35 nominations total
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Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaThe final on-screen acting project for Paul Newman.
- GoofsWhen Miles and Tick are sitting at the restaurant bar, the camera cuts from the two of them to a close up. When it returns a Sprite can magically appears in front of Tick.
- Quotes
Tick Roby: [to Miles] This is John Voss. Uncle David said we needed a new busboy.
David Roby: [to Miles] Take a look at Brian. He looks like a walking appetite suppressant!
Brian: [stumbles into back kitchen area] Hey, Miles!
Miles Roby: Brian, come here for a minute.
[looks at Brian's infected face]
Miles Roby: You gotta go home!
Brian: What do you mean? I can't help it! Something bit me. I can still work.
Miles Roby: Yeah, but people got to eat here.
[takes Brian's busboy bin]
Miles Roby: Go home!
- ConnectionsFeatured in The 57th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards (2005)
- SoundtracksLong Train Runnin'
Written by Tom Johnston
Performed by The Doobie Brothers
Courtesy of Warner Bros. Records Inc.
by arrangement with Warner Strategic Marketing
Featured review
Fine Adaptation of a Great Book
It took me weeks to read the book, which, for me, is unusual. It wasn't that I didn't like it; to the contrary, I couldn't believe how terrific it was. But I could not put my finger on why it was taking me so long to read, until I reached the final third of the book: I simply did not want it to end. I had come to know the characters so well, through the deftness of Richard Russo's prose, and had come to like (at least most of) them, that I couldn't bring myself to say goodbye.
Such was my reaction to HBO's film version of this great American novel.
Others here have praised the production, so I'll only add my brief thoughts: The cast, from the main players to the secondary characters, is uniformly excellent, with one or two exceptions. It was thrilling to see Joanne Woodward back on the screen, but she interprets the role with a softness that, in my opinion, was entirely absent from the actual character she was portraying. So, a point or two off there. Otherwise, the acting was brilliant.
The screenplay adhered very closely to the novel, but some key dialog was disappointingly missing. I recognize that a 400+ page book, to be translated to film, requires editorial discretion. Still, a few things were lost that should have remained.
While the first half takes its time to establish characters and relationships, the second half feels rushed, and the ending definitely so. I couldn't help but feel that something was left on the cutting room floor. But then again, I didn't want it to end in the first place.
Because I am such a fan of the book, I was eager for my wife to see the movie (she hasn't read the book). So, I had a lot invested in the hope that they wouldn't screw it up. When the final credits rolled, I looked over at her, and her tears were flowing. "I didn't want it to end," she said quietly.
And neither will you.
Such was my reaction to HBO's film version of this great American novel.
Others here have praised the production, so I'll only add my brief thoughts: The cast, from the main players to the secondary characters, is uniformly excellent, with one or two exceptions. It was thrilling to see Joanne Woodward back on the screen, but she interprets the role with a softness that, in my opinion, was entirely absent from the actual character she was portraying. So, a point or two off there. Otherwise, the acting was brilliant.
The screenplay adhered very closely to the novel, but some key dialog was disappointingly missing. I recognize that a 400+ page book, to be translated to film, requires editorial discretion. Still, a few things were lost that should have remained.
While the first half takes its time to establish characters and relationships, the second half feels rushed, and the ending definitely so. I couldn't help but feel that something was left on the cutting room floor. But then again, I didn't want it to end in the first place.
Because I am such a fan of the book, I was eager for my wife to see the movie (she hasn't read the book). So, I had a lot invested in the hope that they wouldn't screw it up. When the final credits rolled, I looked over at her, and her tears were flowing. "I didn't want it to end," she said quietly.
And neither will you.
helpful•30
- coolrobbie
- Jul 28, 2006
Details
- Runtime3 hours 17 minutes
- Color
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 1.85 : 1
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