Customer Reviews

The Lonely Passion of Judith Hearne [VHS]

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Maggie Smiths is phenomenal! Her portrayal of the lonely spinster Judith Hearne is impeccable. The scene where she drinks alone is really heartbreaking. Bob Hoskins is equally good as James Madden who broke her heart due to mutual misunderstanding. In fact, there is no bad acting in this movie. I, however, have conflicting feelings about the concluding scenes (Madden visiting Hearne at the hospital) which are not in the novel. These might be the only scenes showing clearly Madden's lonliness and really draw a balance between the two main characters. But the character of Madden is made a little too desperate for money here and somewhat contradictory to how he behaves in the rest of the movie.

As Judith, Maggie Smith turns in the performance of a lifetime and one
of the best and most complete portrayals by any actor on film. This is
an astonishing film, full of bleak Irish heartbreak, yet with the
promise of hope.

Smith is a no less than a revelation in the title role and one cannot
help but route for this desperate character even when all looks
hopeless. The screenplay had been fought over for years by actresses of
every stripe, with, for a while, Jane Fonda, leading the pack of
actresses trying to get Judith onto the screen. It's a good thing
Maggie Smith won out.

The ensemble cast of actors led by Bob Hoskins is fully up to Smith's
standard and the emotional wallops this movie packs are big ones
indeed.

George Delarue's score is simply perfect underlying with the exact
weight and gravity - and sweetness - of every situation.

When is this thing coming out on DVD? It's simply ridiculous it hasn't
yet appeared.

Highest recommendation.

Maggie Smith hasn't played the lead for such a long time that part of the joy of this 1987 British film directed by Jack Clayton is seeing her again. Based on the wonderful novel by Irish Brian Moore published in 1955, this project was optioned at various times by Geraldine Page, Katharine Hepburn, Rachel Roberts and Deborah Kerr but circumstances failed them. Perhaps we were lucky to have waited for Smith since she is heartbreakingly good as the aging spinster who has her last chance at romance when she moves into a Dublin boardinghouse. Smith's large sorrowful dark blue eyes express the waste of her life and her yearning for happiness yet she is never pathetic, even when we see her lying about her relationship with American Bob Hoskins. Their romance is a based on a misunderstanding that you wait to unravel. I particularly like the scene after Smith has learnt the truth when she gets progressively drunker and funnier as she talks to a family who barely tolerate her visits. Hoskins acts with his eyebrows, like a hyper-Groucho, though strangely his weakness adds a dimension to the ending. Worth noting are Marie Kean as the landlady, whose smiles conceal malice; Ian McNeice as her son, a piggy Dylan Thomas; and the lovely music of Georges Delerue.

Maggie Smith hasn't played the lead for such a long time that part of the joy of this 1987 British film directed by Jack Clayton is seeing her again. Based on the wonderful novel by Irish Brian Moore published in 1955, this project was optioned at various times by Geraldine Page, Katharine Hepburn, Rachel Roberts and Deborah Kerr but circumstances failed them. Perhaps we were lucky to have waited for Smith since she is heartbreakingly good as the aging spinster who has her last chance at romance when she moves into a Dublin boardinghouse. Smith's large sorrowful dark blue eyes express the waste of her life and her yearning for happiness yet she is never pathetic, even when we see her lying about her relationship with American Bob Hoskins. Their romance is a based on a misunderstanding that you wait to unravel. I particularly like the scene after Smith has learnt the truth when she gets progressively drunker and funnier as she talks to a family who barely tolerate her visits. Hoskins acts with his eyebrows, like a hyper-Groucho, though strangely his weakness adds a dimension to the ending. Worth noting are Marie Kean as the landlady, whose smiles conceal malice; Ian McNeice as her son, a piggy Dylan Thomas; and the lovely music of Georges Delerue.

after seeing this movie I said WoW!!! Maggie Smith was excelent in this movie and so was Bob Hoskins. There were no bad actors in this movie. For someone who never has seen this check it out. It is one of Maggie Smith's best performances. The book is excelent as well.

What a great movie, and why it's not on DVD is beyond me. Maggie Smith plays the spinster Judith Hearne, a lonely Dublin woman who's spent her life caring for her sick aunt, seeking refuge in the teachings of the Catholic Church, and when that fails, the bottle. She meets an American Babbitt type (played by Bob Hoskins) who shows her some attention, especially after he learns she's got money. She immediately fancies he's in love with her and she throws herself at him, only to be rebuked. This pushes her off the deep end: she renounces her faith, hits the bottle hard, and ends up in an institution.

Years go by after which Hoskins shows up again and asks Smith to marry him; she realizes it's just for her money now and sends him packing. Her lonely life will remain just that.

Smith is superb as Hearne; in fact, everyone is outstanding. The boarding house in which much of the action takes place is occupied by some of the meanest people you're likely to find. Although most of the action takes place in the present, Hearne's life is revealed to us through an excellent use of flashbacks - just enough to fill us in on her past without detracting from the story. It's a terrific production; I wonder if the loneliness of an aging woman has ever been better captured in a movie. It's poignant and sad - and a magnificent film. Definitely worth a watch. And should be on DVD!!

-- and one of the most moving. Don't let this one get away --- since a DVD is not currently available, buy the VHS --- you won't regret it.