Ironweed (1987)
Albany, New York, Halloween, 1938. Francis Phelan and Helen Archer are bums, back in their birth city. She was a singer on the radio, he a major league pitcher. Death surrounds them: she's sick, a pal has cancer, he digs graves at the cemetery and visits the grave of his infant son whom he dropped; visions of his past haunt him, including ghosts of two men he killed. That night, out drinking, Helen tries to sing at a bar. Next day, Fran visits his wife and children and meets a grandson. He could stay, but decides it's not for him. Helen gets their things out of storage and finds a hotel. Amidst their mistakes and dereliction, the film explores their code of fairness and loyalty.
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Very well executed
Awesome Movie
This film is so real. It treats its characters with so much care and sensitivity.
A great movie, one of the best of this year. There was a bit of confusion at one point in the plot, but nothing serious.
(Flash Review)I saw Nicholson & Streep and an unknown movie title, clicked play and was ready for an acting clinic. I was not disappointed. The film opens with Jack awaking from his slumber under a blanket of cardboard, on the side of the road, in the midst of the Great Depression. There by circumstances partially within his own control as we slowly come to learn, he is there to visit his old hometown and later runs into a female friend, played by Streep, who is also down on her luck. Much of the film follows the two of them as they wrestle internal strife, try to earn a couple dollars to fill their stomachs with more booze than food and mend old relationships. Will this phase in their life lead to a happier place or drive them deeper into despair? Overall, the acting was really good but it wasn't an enjoyable watch. Not just because it was gritty and depressing but the pacing felt uneven and it failed to honestly emotionally affect me rather than superciliously.
A hell of a movie , what an amazing performance by Meryl streep and jack nicholson , they are the best people who ever stand in front of a camera in the history of film-making This is a story about homelessness about poverty about losing the dearist persons to your heart, It is very depressing and after watching it , you will remain under its effect for quiet some long time Babenco is an amazing director , he used every single tool in the box to make this movie as depressing as it is and i think he deserves an Oscar nomination for it The Music was brilliant either in the entrance scene or at the end of the movie and it helps so much in delivering the depressing impression of itA Very Worthy Experience
Ironweed is the story of a drifter (Jack Nicholson), who spends Halloween in his hometown after not returning for more than a decade.Why did Francis Phelan (Nicholson), not return to his hometown? Well, year before he returned, he was holding his baby, and...he dropped it. Not really more is said, except that the baby died.Phelan's wife Helen Archer (Meryl Streep) isn't as angry that he's back as you'd think she'd be.The movie is really about the Halloween night between Helen, Francis, and others.If you like Nicholson, or Streep. You'll like this.
After seeing the two starring actors listed as the top billings in this high rated film, I felt intrigued to view it... so I did. Little did I know I was in for one of the most depressing films of all time with some of the strongest acting ever put forth. Jack Nicholson, as always, puts on a performance for the ages, earning him his well deserved Oscar Nomination. The sinful part, however, is that Meryll Streep did not win her Oscar Nomination. With flawless ease, Streep carried her character through triumph (the one or two we see) and tragedy, letting every moment live inside each viewer. After speaking so highly of this film, you would think I would strongly recommend it. Yet, I would not recommend this film simply because it is just too dark with far too few bright spots. This incredible film deserves to be seen, and if you are just a movie-goer who enjoys a film with more to offer than meets the eye, this is the movie for you. Don't expect to be happy after the film, though - despite the beautiful performances put on by all. Brilliant movie on all accounts. With a few more bright spots, this would be a guaranteed 10/10 film. B+