Customer Reviews

Marie [VHS]

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

 

 

Long before Erin Brockovich tried on her first WonderBra, we had Marie Ragghianti - a true-life story of the kind Sissy was born to play. Escaping from her violent husband, and bettering herself, the odds are against her, but Marie has no choice but to survive. Through dint of hard work and perseverance (while returning to school she is also single-handedly raising her children, and trying to care for a chronically ill child) she climbs the political ladder in Tennessee, eventually winding up as Director of Parole. But two stories are being told about the same person - one, of a woman whose search for a cure for her little boy's mysterious illness, and one, of a woman who discovers graft and corruption within the Parole Board. They are very different stories, and possibly should have been two separate movies - but Sissy, as usual, revels in the multiple afflictions cast upon her character, Marie, and is triumphant. "I promise you, this is not the worst thing I've ever lived through," Marie tells the investigators who are determined to destroy her credibility, and Sissy is one of the few actresses alive who can utter a line like that and make you truly believe it.

A woman leaves her abusive husband, gets a college education, raises three children on her own and stands alone against the collective might of the Tennessee state government. And wins!

This movie, filmed in true widescreen, is a masterpiece. The fact that it is based on a true story makes it even more incredible. The performances are all superb, including a movie-stealing performance by first-time actor Fred Thompson--who plays himself! The music is by Francis Lai and is one of his four best scores (the others being A Man and a Woman, Love Story, and Bilitis).

Why this A-grade movie, produced by Dino De Laurentiis, did not get better promotion I don't know, but don't let this mistake make you miss this movie.

And yes, if any movie deserves to be on DVD, this is it.

This film needs to be released on DVD! I have it on VHS which I bought at a used video store many years ago. Released in 1985, Spacek should have at least garnered another academy award nomination for her superb portrayal of Marie Raghiannti, a real-life heroine who takes on the political corruption in Nashville and emerges victorious. In a performance that equals the best she has ever done Spacek is truly magnificent. The rest of the cast is exceptional as well. Look for Morgan Freeman in a small inconsequential role. Get this film out on DVD pronto!! This one aint to be missed, folks!!

A little while Ago we rented the Movie Marie: A True Story which has a fantastic cast. Sissy does an excellent Job playing a woman who is working her way up the latter of Politics after she left her abusive husband with her three kids. She becomes a woman who looks through papers and decides who will be released from prison, and who won't, and when Marie discovers a problem in the System, she also discovers that some people, Including the Mayor, are taking payoffs to set Rapers and Murderers free, back into society, to harm again. You definetly want to see this movie, but I'd suggest renting it first,................

I agree with a previous review... why this film did not get more publicity and win at least one Oscar I do not know. Dino must have been in the doghouse with the Academy. Regardless... it is a fine movie that captures your attention. Spacek gives a superb performance but Fred Dalton Thompson ([...]) is the real hero of the movie... by the way... the ealier dude who tried to be cute by using the word "nee" did not use it correctly...

née also nee(n)
1. Born. Used to indicate the maiden name of a married woman.
2. Formerly known as.

FDT was not born of Law & Order and he's not formally known as Law & Order... okay?

Just FYI...

I was very pleased with this product, it was delivered in the allowed time frame and in the condition advertised. I highly recommend this product.

saw this movie years ago and was hoping to see again.Can't find on DVD and thats a shame.VERY good movie.Hope it does get made on DVD,I would love to buy.

INTEGING STORY ABOUT A HONEST GIRL WHO GETS A JOB IN CHARGE OF RELEASING PRISONERS. CAN'T UNTERSTAND WHY THEY'RE BEING RELEASED UNTIL SHE DISCOVERS THERE IS MONEY INVOLVED

french composer francis lai wrote the music to this film. he's also written the score for love story , a man and a woman and les miserables - 1995 french version. i love to watch the film because of spacek's great acting as well as the emotional impact of the score.

I paid for the DVD, paid postage, and return postage. about $30.00 for nothing.

It was in a European aformat, which I discovered does not work on players made for North American use.

Expensive lesson, but never again.