Product Details

• Actors: Cher, Sandy Dennis, Karen Black, Sudie Bond, Kathy Bates
• Directors: Robert Altman
• Format: Color, Mono, NTSC
• Language: English
• Rating: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)
• Number of tapes: 1
• Studio: Virgin Video
• VHS Release Date: June 21, 1989
• Run Time: 109 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
• ASIN: 630178507X
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #123 in Video (See Bestsellers in Video)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

46 of 46 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Secrets & Lies!, April 1, 2002

By	James Helberg "Actor for Hire" (Detroit, MI United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

The film is based on the stage play "Come Back To The Five & Dime Jimmy Dean, Jimmy Dean" The playwright also penned the screenplay
The story revolves around the 20th reunion of "The diciples of James Dean" Beginning in 1975 each character arrives for the reunion. The story unfolds through a series of flashbacks to 1955 we see what James Dean meant to each person and the impact his death had on their lives. At the reunion each lady has a shocking revelation about how their lives have turned out. The soundtrack is almost haunting in a way. The music moves the the story along as it is part of the story. Be warned, there is no typical Hollywood happy ending. The film ends as it should, just like real life.
This is Perhaps one of the best american films ever made! Robert Altman has crafted the film in such a way the viewer feels as if they are part of the action. You can't help but to get emotionally involved in the lives of these characters. The most impressive aspect of the film in the way Mr. Altman moves the story from 1975 back to 1955 and back again. This technique had not been used in movies before 1982 when this film was made and hasn't been used since. As for the performances, all I can say is flawless! Sandy Dennis, Cher, Karen Black and Mark Patton all deserved Oscar nominations! Solid support is provided by Kathy Bates, Martha Heflin and Sudie Bond. This is a rare case where great acting, beautiful direction, brilliant script and artistic filmmaking provide us with A+ entertainment. If you've never seen this film, do yourself a favor and watch it with an open mind, a big bowl of popcorn and a box of tissues! If you don't have icewater running through your veins, you'll need em'.
Please note: If someone out there has the power and the resources to release this on DVD with audio commentary by director Robert Altman, Please do! My Life would be complete!

19 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This should be on DVD!!, March 30, 2005

By	Danny M. Hobbs "deebledd" (Tigard, OR United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This film comes from a time when Hollywood was not afraid to tell character-driven stories that touch the heart in strange and deep ways. Other reviews summarize the premise and plot of this excellent film quite well. So I'll just add my plea that someone, PLEASE remaster this and release it on DVD. It's too excellent a film to lose to tape decay.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wondrous - Powerful - Important, June 8, 2006

By	Raider Jack "Jackie D Gray-Romeyn" (San Francisco, CA United States) - See all my reviews

I just watched this movie again the other night for what MUST have been about the 25th time. No matter the number of viewings, this is one of those productions that doesn't lose its edge over the years - still quite a mesmerizing project. It is indeed just as timely today as Marvin Gaye's "What's Goin' On?"

The simple plot revolves around a 25-year reunion of a high school James Dean fan club. An unusually clever way to navigate between their high school years and the actual reunion is that the "flashbacks" utizlized the actual actors as opposed to looking for younger versions. To see certain emotional growths (as well as missteps) within the same character is nothing short of devastating.

In terms of gay cinema, I suggest this ranks right up there with "The Childrens' Hour" by Lillian Hellman. This film is just as powerful, thought-provoking, startling, uncomfortable, DEFINITELY liberating, and ultimately is a classic example of theatrical orgasm of the highest order.

The ensemble is quite simply impeccable. This was the first dramatic role I had EVER seen Cher in and to say I was blown away is a masterpiece of understatement. After this performance, it is most obivous that Cher is a consummate actress. Accompanied by the likes of Sandy Dennis, Cathy Bates, and the positively breath-taking performance of Karen Black and this gives you a very good idea of the caliber of the ensemble, all of whom were positively wonderful in bringing such a powerful play to the screen. Credit/kudos certainly goes to director Robert Altman for having the foresight to assemble such a powerful cast to create an unforgettable viewing experience.

I HIGHLY recommend as one of Altman's best projects as well as a profoundly important film. This most certainly should be on DVD by now!!!!