White Palace (1990)

Redundant and unnecessary.

Let me be very fair here, this is not the best movie in my opinion. But, this movie is fun, it has purpose and is very enjoyable to watch.

Blistering performances.

All of these films share one commonality, that being a kind of emotional center that humanizes a cast of monsters.

For me there really is nothing better than good writing, good actors and an interesting and engaging film. This has all of that.I won't go saying that this is a fantastic film, it's not going to be on the top 250 list with Shawshank, but what it does attempt to do it does very well, tell a compelling story about two lonely people in different stages of life from two different socioeconomic levels finding each other first for a physical relationship and over time that relationship deepens into something quite beautiful.Spader is a white collar ad exec who seemingly has everything a 27 year old would want, except he lost his wife two years prior and is still quite depressed and mourning her loss. His friends want to see him find someone new, but it doesn't seem to work for him as he just isn't receptive to the women he is paired with.He find Susan Sarandon in a bar, she's drinking and they start off awkwardly but there is a palatable connection that these two actors have that is unmistakable. A quite sexy (in my opinion) love scene occurs and in the next morning while Spader is trying his best to be a gentleman but still get out of her home after what he believes is a one night stand there is something there that these two wounded people connect on.The thing that I love about this movie is it's honesty. It doesn't go where you'd expect this movie to go. It is well directed and the story is quite compelling in addressing the needs to two adults to love and be loved. It's the theme of social expectations and the burdens they cause (rightfully or not) and the impact they can have on a relationship.It really is a shame that films like this just don't get produced any longer as it's nice to see good actors bring interesting characters to life in a very well produced slice of life film.

There are many occasions when I feel that I've been watching a different movie from the majority of people who submit a review to IMDb so it's very pleasant to be able to endorse the other positive opinions for this really fine film. I saw it when it was released, loved it and went back with a friend, now I've just found it on DVD, watched it and find it stands up really well. It is, of course, a given that Susan Sarandon is an exceptional actress who can do sensuous with one boob behind her back and here she delivers one of her all-time great performances and though she doesn't need them it does no harm that she is supported by a fine cast, not least Eileen Brennan as her sister. James Spader is also spot on as the twenty-seven year old yuppie widower who falls genuinely in love with Sarandon's forty-three year old waitress at the eponymous White Palace(clearly based on the White Castle hamburger chain). In that respect the film celebrates the power of love to span social divides and sixteen year age gaps so that the observations on St. Louis society are merely a bonus. It's the kind of film the French churn out by the yard and Hollywood manages all too rarely. solid and indisputable nine out of ten.

A great film which I recently caught up with again on TV. The performances by Susan Sarandon and James Spader were top-rate which made their respective characters quite believable. It always makes me wonder why such gems of acting (among many others that one could think about) never appear in the Oscar nomination lists.However, one minor caveat. When you watch it again for the nth time, look out for the left front headlamp of "Max's" Volvo which he smashed up against "Nora's" outside post-box at the beginning of the film. Halfway through it appears to have been repaired, only to reappear after that in its early damaged state.Definitely one to watch again.

While I don't believe the end result for a second, this film will do whatever it takes to make us believe the relationship between 44 year old Nora Baker and 27 year old Max Baron can work. The age-gap isn't as difficult to accept as their ethnic and financial differences. Baron is a wealthy, successful Jewish business exec and Nora is a waitress at a hamburger joint. The film, though, with all it's might, tries to make us believe that, yes, they can still maintain a loving relationship despite all the certain trials that lie ahead. Both have had loss in their life, both find each other attractive, and when they are together the chemistry and passion is simply magnetic. It's the idea of who and what they are outside the personal relationship.Susan Sarandon's performance as the waitress is a winner because she shows her as fearless, dynamic, and flawed..but she doesn't ask for pity and accepts that life doesn't always deal everyone a great hand. She goes after the younger man, loves him, she is thankful he continues coming by her house to stay. That aggressiveness to go after what she wants without worrying about what others might say(..though, she is very vulnerable and doesn't have faith in the strength of the relationship lasting). Spader finally has a chance to portray a likable character who just wants to feel something again. With Nora, he has that joy and the stars are aligned.I will say that this film has lots of things going for it. The dialogue does allow Sarandon to expand her character beyond a cliché. You like her despite whatever faults you might see glaringly. Spader is able to expand into uncharted territory as a person we can care about instead of loathe. There's also a marvelous supporting cast which fill the film with color. But, startlingly, this film is also sexually passionate and pulls no punches showing the animal attraction these two have for each other.