Customer Reviews

The Home Front

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I was very pleased to find "Homefront" at my local blockbuster, as I had heard many interesting things about it. I found the movie to be quite entertaining, and the acting to be above par. Tim Curry was actually very believable as the coniving priest, and it's always a joy to watch Julian Sands. However I believe a new talent has been found in Kurt Gerard, who played one of the German soldiers taken hostage. Although Gerard had limited screen time and dialogue, I felt drawn to his character, and his on-screen prescence. I surely hope we get to see more of him in the future.

Moving World War Drama which brings a welcome return to the screen for the gorgeous TATUM O'NEAL after way too long an absence. The Scoundrels Wife is well-told and played by all and benefits from a strong central emotionally charged performance by Tatum in a film which deserves a wider audience than it will probably get. For fans of w.war drama's and Tatum O'Neal, you won't be disappointed!

The movie is a slow-moving period drama which takes place in Louisiana at the start of America's entry into WWII. One particular military-type pokes around looking for coastal fishermen (one of which is Tatum O'Neal's character) who may be trading goods with the Germans who are sinking US ships off the coast. O'Neal's character has a not-so-hidden past which causes the townspeople to be suspicious of her and her family (which includes Lacey Chabert).

Tim Curry has the best character, and shows the best acting, as the mostly-drunk Catholic priest. Lacey Chabert was pretty good. Others were so-so.

While the movie itself was OK, the "featurette" was irritating. It consists of a few sentences (and even has titlecards for each snippet) that are 10-20 second "soundbites" from the 4 or 5 major characters. Arg! The titlecard tells you what the person is going to talk about, and the length in seconds. The person speaks one or two sentences, then fade to black and cut to another titlecard telling us what the person is going to talk about, and the duration in seconds. This is repeated about 20 times (4 or 5 subjects per actor). Tatum is even shown in two different outfits. Talk about tedious! Even with all the filler, it is only a few minutes long.

Funny thing that the DVD cover shows a German U-Boat - the only place you'll see it. Also, the title on the cover and description on the back "The Home*Front" with a star between words. The title in the movie itself is "Home Front", and in the crappy featurette, it is listed as "The Scoundrel's Wife" and is referred to as such by Lacey Chabert.

I don't recall any language, but there is an R-rated glimpse of Tatum's tatas as she and her suspected doctor-friend do the horizontal bop, and Lacey is sort of naked in the bathtub for a second, though the angle is not optimum on that.

Movie is maybe 3-plus stars, with a 1-star extra.

I found this to be a very compelling movie. There are so many issues that come up that it should provide good family discussion for quite a while. First, the priest is not respected by the village people because he is an alcoholic. The mother of the two teens was involved is a sin for which the townspeople have ostracized her and her kids for years. A gypsy escapes for Germany early in the war, stealing the identity of a Jewish doctor, and is eventually sent to Cajun country to be their town doctor. An inexperienced Coast Guard ensign is put under such pressure to find any locals who are assisting the German U-boats that are lurking in the Gulf that he resorts to setting up the ostracized woman as helping the Germans.

All this comes together in a climax that most traditional values families will find satisfying. It is a story of facing up to one's past sins. Unfortunately, it is done only tangentially in the context of a loving and just God. Still, this is one true story that those who like moving drama will surely be glad they viewed it. I don't know why it is 'R' rated because most of the violence is off camera, and nothing erotic is shown of the one love scene. Indeed, virtually of the the terrible injuries the sailors suffered when the Germans sank their ships are shown in the context of the 'medical team' saving their lives.

I think this was a really good movie. It may seem a bit slow in places but that is usual for a drama -- I usually lean toward action or comedy myself. However, this movie had enough going on so I didn't get bored. A very interesting story line and the acting was superb. The actors and actresses picked for this movie showed top class talent. I was very pleased with this movie and gladly add it to my collection.

The story is very slow paced with the bad lieutenant, the bad priest, the bad "doctor", the bad daughter, the bad Chinese killing love interest, the bad son, the bad crowd, the prejudicial town folks with a thirst for blood and the high command wanting someone to hang... Who are you going to love? Not until the last few minutes do you find any redeeming qualities in; the Mother, daughter, son, priest and the doctor. The love interest is weak and the "hidden secrets" characters face are lacking in support. The opening confusion that was to set the scene added more confusion than hinting at what was to follow. Read other reviews but this film is bad.

This movie is about alot of things. Most obvious is a little known piece of history. I never knew that German Uboats sunk our ships in our own waters!

It makes for an interesting premise. I am partial movies taking place during WWII. I rented this and was pleasantly surprised. The pain Camille (played by Tatum O'Neill) feels for what has happened in the past, her husband's death and the strained relations with her kids is clearly felt. Combine that with small town gossip that has demonized her family and one can see how life has been hard on her.

This movie is also about Camille's growing relationship with secretive Dr. Lenz(Julian Sands), a refugee from Europe. In my opinion, up until this movie, I believed his only good role was as George Emerson in A Room With A View. I was a big fan of his when I saw that movie, that is until I saw the other not so great movies he made.

I think he played this role quite well, not his usual hammy self. I was really worried during a few scenes about what would happen to Dr. Lenz thanks to his performance.Usually I hope for his character to meet a bad end. Makes me think of what could have been for Mr. Sands had he picked quality roles like this.

The ending.....I liked the movie and the ending wasn't all that bad. I just think it was too easily wrapped up. This is the deep South we are talking about and I actually expected a more violent end.

Though there is a scene that depicts how one prisoner of war is savagely attacked by the patriotic townfolk. Scary how many similarites this scenario has with what is going on today.

Apart from that I, did enjoy the movie and as a bonus learned a little bit about a part of history that remains unknown to most Americans.

I was fortunate to have seen this film when it came out, and I will not repeat the very good reviews it got at the time. I will say, though , that the acting is superb (it is worth price of the DVD just to watch what Tim Curry does with his character)and the film gives a wonderful sense of Place without depending on cilchŽs about the currently fashionable Cajun culture. I would also like to complement the writing: the characters are engaging and there are some surprising plot twists - not the kind that are out of character or anachronistic, but the kind that make us realize just how little we were ever taught about this era in American history. Highly recommended.

I had just finished watching this film and I must say, I had enjoyed it tremendously. The scenery was beautiful and captured the true essence of the bayou. The story was compelling and really kept the viewer interested. It was very well written and the dialog was extremely intelligent. I must also comment on the wonderful acting delivery of Tatum O'Neal. Far too long has this gifted actress been away from the screen. It was refreshing to watch how she interacted with her co-stars. It was superb. Her mannerism, expressions, and on screen charisma kept me enthralled through the film. I was so glad to see her back!! Enjoy!!!

I had just finished watching this film and I must say, I had enjoyed it tremendously. The scenery was beautiful and captured the true essence of the bayou. The story was compelling and really kept the viewer interested. It was very well written and the dialog was extremely intelligent. I must also comment on the wonderful acting delivery of Tatum O'Neal. Far too long has this gifted actress been away from the screen. It was refreshing to watch how she interacted with her co-stars. It was superb. Her mannerism, expressions, and on screen charisma kept me enthralled through the film. I was so glad to see her back!!
I will highly recommend this film to all who will listen!!! Enjoy!!