Customer Reviews

The Ponder Heart [VHS]

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

 

 

Think of The Ponder Heart as a chat with an old friend telling an extraordinary family story. I'm not sure I could listen to such a story 20+ times from even my dearest friend but I never tire of this one. I've seen the movie 20+ times (I show it to my 8th gr. language arts classes) and still laugh out loud. Welty must have been delighted with the casting--you have to see it to believe it. Cooking up characters on paper is one thing, but this recreation in flesh and blood is pure genius. The cadence, well, just when you're feeling a bit impatient, Welty pitches a nice curve ball. My husband dreads watching the "character driven" films I prefer, but he liked this one very much--and I bet you will, too.

Side Note: In 1972, I first 'met' Eudora Welty in freshman lit. via her mesmerizing short stories. Four years later I moved within blocks of her home in Jackson, Mississippi (near Belhaven College)and--be still my heart--I waited on her as a teller at the neighborhood bank. Nearly fainting, I blubbered something about loving her work and wanting to read her latest, The Optimist's Daughter, a Pulitzer Prize winner--but it was years before I understood the book's complexities.

This is a wonderful story by Eudora Welty. And the actors are just superb. I know I'm going to watch this multiple times in the future. A perceptive analysis of human needs and motives.

This story, based on the novel by southern writer Eudora Welty is charming and humorous. The first half is decidedly better than the second and the ending could have been smoother. But the character of Uncle Daniel and Bonnie Dee Peacock could not have been portrayed any better. The dim Uncle Daniel, and the not-too-bright Bonnie Dee are perfect renditions of the Welty characters I imagined. This a story of humor and southern charm, with some excellent performances!

I can only repeat this quote for it says it best for me,"The Ponder Heart can make you dizzy with pleasure over its multiple levels of irony and silliness. Masterpiece Theatre goes no deeper than one level here, but it's performed admirably, and may inspire viewers to further explore Eudora Welty's unique literary world."
Someone borrowed my only video copy, I am glad to buy another one even at a high price, it is so maddeningly delightful!

I first saw Angela Bettis in Girl Interrupted. She was great in that, but her role in The Ponder Heart was spectacular. Keep an eye on this girl. She will be a household name one day!