Ironweed (1988)

Fantastic American Film

Like a cinematic Hopper painting, this film stays with you even when you are not looking at it. It is a perfect example of how American film can have substance and not insult you by giving you all the information and all the answers.

The film tells the story of a short period of time in the life of a "bum", played by Jack Nicholson. He has been adrift ever since two decades earlier he accidently killed his 13 day old son. He seems to go from place to place on the rails, with no other goals than making a buck here and there and finding a drink. He has no constant companions, only other bums he sees from time to time. The closest he has to a best friend is Meryl Streep's character. Aside from her alcoholism, she also seems to be mentally troubled. She has her own past to deal with, as it seems she came from a well-off family and was a noted singer at one time.

The film finds Nicholson's character returning to his home town of Albany, NY, and confronting some of his past. Aside from his son, he has also been responsible for the deaths of at least two other people, one by accident, and one in self defense. Their ghosts, as well as others he feels he has wronged, haunt him regularly. Eventually he returns to his family for a visit, but I would leave it up to the viewer to decide what he comes away with.

The acting is superb, as are the depictions of the life of these people and the people they come in contact with. Tom Waits is so good in his role, he had to be born to play it. I defy anyone with a soul to not be moved incredibly by the scene in which Streep sings in a saloon for a kindly washed up singer played by Fred Gwynne. It doesn't happen often, but I turned the TV off after the scene and sat in the dark for a while. Find a scene like that in a recent film, if you can.

It is a deliberately paced film, and there is no traditional plot, but that works to it's advantage. Well worth the time and the effort it will take to leave an indelible impression on the viewer. June 20, 2008

A breathtaking film

This is a great movie. The period in history is sad and some of its characters came to very sad endings. Nicholson and Streep are fantastic; one of Nicholson's best characters. Waits is extremely good even though he is not a main character. I don't have enough thumbs to devote to an 'up' signal for this film. It is a mystery that it has not been released to DVD in the U.S.; interesting and entertaining. May 1, 2007

Gimme A Break....

....Could Hardly Wait For The Credits. I don't usually write movie reviews, but people gotta be warned here. I saw this ages ago, and it left just a vague impression. Decided to order it and view again, as Nicholson is one of my favorites. I could not sympathize with any of the characters in this movie. The actors and actresses never seemed to drop into their roles at all. The sets and backdrops were just too phony and ordinary, and the themes and places portrayed should have come across much more raw and gritty. The acting was sub-par and the dialogue was contrived and predictable. Nicholson couldn't even save this flick for me. Streep acted like a paper sack in this one. The recurring ghosts were just annoying and the family reunion scene made me ache is was so lousy. If you wanna see a real drama about destitute and homeless people, get Barfly. If you wanna see Nicholson is an unforgettable role, get The Last Detail, One Flew Over..., or even Goin' South. Streep shined much brighter in Silkwood and Sophie's Choice. This one was a mess. Sorry-don't blow your $$$ on Ironweed. Two stars are for some effective flashback sequenses and Streep singing in the bar (only scene in movie that moved me at all). Notice when Nicholson, as a youth, hits the guy with whatever he threw during the strike. The projectile never came close to hitting the guy, and the man who (supposedly) got struck covered his face and fell backwards before anything even got near him. Simply pathetic. March 31, 2007

Perfect screen adaption of a classic book

I saw this movie on cable many years ago and did not get it.
Fast foward to about ten years later and I discovered William Kennedys "Albany Trio" at the library. When I finally got to the last of the trio tales I read "Ironweed" in one day and then went out and rented the vhs version at my local video store. Jack Nicholson does an outstanding job in his role as "Francis Phelan" a man haunted by the ghosts from his past.
Tom Waits as "Rudy the kraut" was my favorite character. Meryl Streep is outstanding as usual in her role as Francis Phelans girlfriend. Yes it is sad, depressing and not for all tastes (especially mainstream moviegoers) but, the performances by all are heartfelt. One of the few movies brought to the screen from a great story by William Kennedy who also wrote the screenplay.
Great soundtrack by John Morris and Hector Babenco directed this wonderful adaption. Now with all the garbage DVD's on sale I can not understand why this movie is not available on DVD.
I managed to find an old vhs copy for $3.00 at a small video store here in Heidelberg, Germany where I currrently reside, but I will still wait patiently for this film classic to be released on DVD.



















June 4, 2006

More than Nicholson and Streep

Aside from Nicholson's and Streep's very good performances there is also an excellent cameo from Fred Gwynne where he sings in his deep smooth voice. I found it surprising that he sang so well. The rag man's part was some of the only humor in the movie. When he is yelling "rags" it seems he really has some to sell. I got the feeling of the Depression in the '30's. It's one of those sleeper classics that needs to be seen by a new generation. May 22, 2006

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