A Soldier's Daughter Never Cries (1998)

Interesting Father-Daughter Film

This film is well-acted, understated, and interesting as an insight into an unusual family's life in 1960s France and 1970s America. It is not an action movie and it is not plot-driven, but it dwells rather upon the relationships that develop over the course of the early life of a young woman whose father is a war veteran and writer in the style of Kurt Vonnegut (Kristofferson even looks like him) and with whom she shares a unique and rich connection.

I'm not sure why those who review this film so negatively would even think to view such a film, since they apparently think that every movie should provide the unambiguous beginning-middle-end of a typical made for TV movie, complete with a satisfying resolution for every two-dimensional character and every predictable plot line. Life isn't like that for the most part and neither is this film. When one reaches a certain age life begins to take on the shape of a rich collection of images, scenes, expressions, and feelings---not so much a story arc. This film conveys that sense of life fairly well. February 16, 2008

A rare film

Basically, I am writing to rebut the negative reviews on this page. I saw this film years ago, and it rang very true to me- so much so that I wanted to buy the DVD. Have to admit that I was myself an ex-pat teenager in Europe in somewhat the same era, and Merchant Ivory replicated the feel of that time and place very well.

The acting was excellent, and the reviewers who complain that the film doesn't "go anywhere" miss the point in that this is a film about growing up and experiences that make up part of who we are and therefore can't be compressed into plot developement, of beginning, middle, and dramatic end.

Also think Francis, the possibly gay character was touching, reminded me of people I have known etc. It seems to me that the teenage theme of betraying true friends because of peer pressure and desire to appear "cool" isn't dealt with very much in films, so hats off to Merchant Ivory and the author for trying. July 22, 2006

Contains Profanity

The reviews already written sum up this movie pretty well, so I can't add anything new.
It's a typical artsy Merchant Ivory movie with lots of pretty pictures and not much story. If you view it just as the daughter's diary and don't expect a plot, it's more acceptable.
I saw it because I'm a fan of James Jones and of Kris Kristofferson. It is boring, disjointed, and hard to sit through, but it does have a few redeeming moments. It's like watching someone else's home movies. Little drama until Billy Willis (Jones/Kristofferson) dies in the end. July 16, 2006

No Sir, I Don't Like It

I usually can stand "artistic" films, but this one was sooooo awful.

The biggest complaint I have with the movie is that nothing ever happens. The film is split into several sections, all around major events in the life of the daughter of an American expatriate writer living in France in the 60's. In each section many events occur, and right when you think there will be some resolution, or conflict, or anything... they switch to another section. It's laughably pathetic how bad this is!

Case in point, at the end of the movie, the adopted son, Billy, is given a journal from his biological mother after his adopted father dies. He doesn't want to read it, yet his adopted mother and sister insist that he read it because it was the wish of the deceased father. So how does the movie end, does he reject that part of his life? Does he read it and gain some insight into who he is? Hell if I know, because the movie ends with them dancing on the porch, without any resolution!

This movie has not one redeeming quality. The plot is full of hiccups (such as the one previously described), the acting is uninspired, and there appears to be no theme whatsoever! Watching this movie is like passing a kidney stone, it hurts like hell, and it's an incredible relief when it's over!
November 1, 2005

strong characters, somewhat sleepy story

I watched this movie for the second time (I think) last night with my husband and daughter. The R rating is somewhat extreme for this movie. Aside from Kris Kristofferson's characters rampant swearing, this movie could easily be rated PG-13 and then only for frank discussions about sex between the father and daughter. It could actually be considered a good "coming-of-age" movie for liberal-minded families, though even those who consider themselves liberal might disagree with the father's philosophy on life and his advice for his fifteen-year-old daughter. Of course, if you view the story and follow the plot, you might feel that he was compelled to be deliberate and forthright with her. Unlike many fathers, he takes the time to interact with his daughter and have heart-to-heart talks. This father also takes the time to cultivate his relationship with his wife. Bill and Marcella obviously have a very passionate relationship, but alcohol use is very prevalent as well. In any case, the movie is intriguing. I especially enjoyed the young seven-year-old Channe played by a beautiful young girl (I don't know her name). The scene in the treehouse with the young French actor is realistic enough to be disturbing and frightening. Channe's transition into adolescence (now portrayed by LeeLee Sobieski) is very believable. Her relationship with Francis, also an American, is so frustrating because both characters are so realistic. You feel the anguish that Channe experiences having a friend whom most young people would shun, and over time, Channe would choose to shun as well. Francis is one of those people whom you want to like because he's interesting to be around, but unfortunately, he's also so self-deprecating and self-absorbed and whiny that you can't help but dislike him at the same time. This relationship between Channe and the effeminate, opera-loving Francis might be enough to turn off many viewers.
Channe's adopted brother Billy remains an intriguing enigma throughout the movie and certainly his character could have been fleshed out more. What we gather is that he's sensitive and kind to Channe, but never seems to make friends. In France, we never see him even interact at school, or even grow into adolescence at home. If this is an autobiographical movie, then one could at times only wonder if Channe and her brother lead isolated lives within the family. There are moments of connectedness within her family that do dispel this, however. When Billy arrives with his family in the United States, he seems unhappy and out of place right from the start. There is the slightest hint that he might be quietly gay, and therefore somewhat repulsed by Francis' blatant personality. We experience a moment of unrequited connection between him and Channe's American boyfriend.
One could find so much to explore within this movie- the interracial relationship between Candida (their Spanish or Portuguese maid who, by the way, has a lovely, siren-like singing voice) and her black boyfriend, Candida's fear of commitment and total devotion to Channe, devotion that leaves her lacking the ability to create her own life. Barbra Hershey's portrayal of Marcella, a fun-loving wife and mother with no apparent career aspirations,who turns to alcohol to soften life in Paris as an American in the 60's where it's obvious she and her husband and friends often felt out of place. What's disquieting is that she experiences the same feeling of being an outcast initially when they move back to the United States.
Well worth viewing, though some like my husband might watch the movie and ultimately comment "What's the point?" (and rightfully so, since everyone is entitled to their own opinion). This is not entertainment for entertainment's sake. It is an exploration of relationships. February 22, 2004

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