Customer Reviews

Back When We Were Grownups

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Back When We Were Grownups is a delightful film. I watched it when it was presented as a Hallmark movie and it stayed in my mind for weeks after I viewed it.

It's the story of Rebecca Davitch (Blythe Danner) who at the age of 53 finds herself looking at her life and wondering how she became the person that she turned into.

As a young woman, still in college, she was engaged to a Will Allenby (Peter Fonda), a serious academic and they had a plan for their future. While at a reception, she met Joe Davitch, a divorced man, several years her senior. Rebecca was flattered and very much infatuated by the attention from Joe, and she married him without much consideration, except that she seemed to love him. She immediately became a stepmother to three little girls and manager of a home based business. She also inherited her husband's Uncle Poppy (Jack Palance) who had been living with the Davitch family since his wife died. Within a few years, Rebecca and Joe had their own child, another daughter. To further add to the confusion, Rebecca also has to deal with her husband's former wife who is played by Faye Dunaway

Although, amusing in many ways, I felt this story had a real feeling about the various relationships and jealousies that can crop up in any family. It also shows how one person often takes on the responsibility of keeping a family together.

Like many avid readers, I find that movies based on books, are rarely as good as the books. However, in this case, I enjoyed the film more than the book. I also thought that Blythe Danner did an excellent job in the major role of Rebecca.

This Hallmark adaptation of the book by the same name by one of my favorite authors, Anne Tyler, is a sheer joy. With a cast that includes Blythe Danner, Peter Fonda, and Faye Dunaway, along with the Hallmark 'signature' of excellent scripts, direction and cinematography, how can one go wrong? One can't, and this film is full of sparkle and fun, along with those characteristic 'Hallmark moments' when your heart catches in your throat. It's all here.

For those not familiar with Anne Tyler's novel, here is a brief summary of the story captured in this film, taken from the Hallmark Channel listings:

"Tagline: A 53-year-old widowed grandmother, matriarch, caretaker of an extended family embarks on a search for herself, for a life she feared was long gone, and for a new awareness she never imagined possible.

Rebecca Davitch, a 53-year-old widowed grandmother, matriarch, caretaker of an extended family, and proprietress of the family business, is suddenly questioning the choices she made in life that brought her to where she is today. So begins Rebecca's journey to rediscover her past, her old loves, and abandoned dreams in this beguiling adaptation of Anne Tyler's novel."
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The DVD is hard to find and it's wonderful that it's available here on Amazon. You'll love it. Warmly recommended.

Characters are well developed. Interesting personalities and relationships within this family. Focus is on reconciling with the past and solidifying family unity in the present, accepting where life has taken you. A Hallmark presentation I would recommend to teens and adults.

Rebecca Davitch is the centerpiece of this family that she inherited when she married Joe Davitch all those years ago. He captured her heart with his charisma, and despite the fact that he had three young girls to raise (because his wife left him), she marries him anyway.

The big Victorian house is the focal point of the Open Arms entertainment business, which also sweeps Rebecca up into its "arms" after the marriage, too.

Then, when Joe is killed just a few years later, Rebecca is alone with it all--raising the girls, running the business, and taking care of Joe's elderly uncle whom everyone calls "Poppy."

At the beginning of the film, we meet the characters several years later at a point in time when Rebecca has begun to question her choices, her role in the lives of this family, and the road not taken. Which is why she suddenly calls her boyfriend from all those years ago...just to see what might happen.

Back When We Were Grownups (Hallmark Hall of Fame) is based on the Anne Tyler novel of the same name, and throughout, I could feel Rebecca's angst: the losses, the possible wrong choices, and the "what-ifs". An amazing cast populates this film, including Blythe Danner as Rebecca; Peter Riegert as Zeb, Joe's brother; Jack Palance as Poppy; Peter Fonda as the ex-boyfriend; and Faye Dunaway as Joe's ex-wife, who swoops in for the occasional celebratory moment.

I had seen this movie several years ago on the Hallmark channel, but when someone recently mentioned the book--which I also have--I really wanted to experience this again. I am happy that I did. I award five stars to this colorful, dysfunctional, and wonderful family experience.

I love Blythe Danner and love anything she is in. She is at her best in this movie. A lovely story of family and moving forward.

This Movie is just beautiful, full of real Family and tons of love along the generations, Loved it so I had to buy it after seeing it on the Hallmark channel.

REVIEW OF VIDEO "BACK WHEN WE WERE GROWNUPS" -- VIDEO IN GOOD SHAPE. RECEIVED IMMEDIATELY. MY ONLY SUGGESTION WOULD BE TO REWIND VIDEOS BEFORE SENDING.

Faye Dunaway,Blythe Danner Rules in this great movie of a DVD with an all-star cast.It's a must see!!!!!!!!!!