23 of 23 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
THE CITY MOUSE MEETS THE COUNTRY MOUSE..., January 21, 2002
This review is from: Shy People [VHS] (VHS Tape)
This is an unusual film with a knockout performance by Barbara Hershey, who deservedly won the 1987 Cannes Film Festival Best Actress award for her brilliant and moving portrayal of Ruth Sullivan, a fiercely proud, backwoods, bayou matriarch, who resorts to unusual tactics to keep her sons from the outside world.
The story centers around the Sullivan family, the East Coast and Louisiana branches. It turns out that the East Coast branch is headed up by magazine editor, Diana Sullivan (Jill Clayburgh), who decides to write a piece about her southern relatives. Diana heads down South with her spoiled, teenage daughter (Martha Plimpton).
When they gets down there, they are is taken aback by what they find. This Southern branch of the Sullivan family seems like a throwback to another era. The first word that pops into the viewer's mind is "inbreeding", so backwards do they seem. The East Coast Sullivans are wealthy and overdressed for their new environs. The Bayou Sullivans do not even have electricity. Still, they try to socialize and get to know one another, after an initial standoff.
The outside world has now invaded Ruth's home, and some of Ruth's stern notions have invaded Diane's psyche. This becomes manifest at the end in the new way in which they each decide to handle their rebellious offspring. One can tell that Ruth and Diane have each touched the other in some meaningful way. This does not happen, however, before there have been some serious clashes.
It is hard to describe this film, as it is not a plot driven film. What little plot there is, is a bit implausible. It is just a highly unusual, character driven film, and the one who drives it is Barbara Hershey with a performance so awesome, it will take the viewer's breath away. With a stellar supporting cast, it is film not to be missed.
Filmed in the heart of Cajun country, the cinematography is magnificent, with incredible shots of the mist shrouded bayou with its unusual terrain and fauna. It makes for a haunting and highly atmospheric film.
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7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Unbelievable Becomes Believable, July 31, 2000
This review is from: Shy People [VHS] (VHS Tape)
The story line seems mild, the city mouse and the country mouse meet. But when you combine the two matriarchs, knowing they are blood related and seeing that their core beliefs are totally opposite, holds your curiosity as to whether they will meld, not just meet. Everything neccessary to keep one interested and riveted is achieved. I only left the couch about 3 or 4 times...(sheer feer) Most important (if your are one to try and outhink the next scene) is that the predictable always provided a bit of the unpredictable. To say the costuming was not appropriate, is like, "Who Cares". This film has all the elements for entertainment. It holds your attention, tickles your curiosity, your fears, and tweaks your brain. The end has a very sage message. Every parent with older children will nod with understanding. The acting was superb, the casting terrific and the photography excellent.
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7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
DO NOT overlook this one!!!!, October 24, 1999
This review is from: Shy People [VHS] (VHS Tape)
This is one of the finest films I have seen... it opened up to much fanfare on the festival circuit, but straggled into release... never recieving it's mainstream due.
If you like contemplative, haunting films, this is right up your alley. Barbara Hershey and Jill Clayburgh are fantastic... Hershey as a strong, misunderstood woman, and Clayburgh as a shallow, know-it-all magazine photographer.
Shy People is BEAUTIFULLY filmed... there is a scene involving Jill Clayburgh and Martha Plimpton out in the foggy bayou... masterfully filmed.
AHH! It's so difficult to convey exactly WHY you should see this, or how much I want anyone who reads this to!!! DON'T OVERLOOK IT!!!
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