The grass harp (film)
| Movie | |
|---|---|
| German title | The grass harp |
| Original title | The Grass Harp |
| Country of production | United States |
| original language | English |
| Publishing year | 1995 |
| length | 107 minutes |
| Age rating | FSK 12 |
| Rod | |
| Director | Charles Matthau |
| script |
Stirling Silliphant Kirk Ellis |
| production | Charles Matthau Jerry Tokofsky James T. Davis John Davis |
| music | Patrick Williams |
| camera | John A. Alonzo |
| cut |
Sidney Levin Carroll Timothy O'Meara |
| occupation | |
| |
The Grass Harp is an American film drama from the year 1995 . The film adaptation is based on the novel of the same name by Truman Capote .
action
Alabama in the 1930s. Collin Fenwick is eight years old when his mother suddenly dies. Since his father is unable to look after the boy by himself, he sends him to his two unmarried sisters in the province of Alabama: Verena, who always values order and perfection, and Dolly, who was always in the shadow of her older sister , but always felt most comfortable in her kitchen and with her friends. Dolly has a passion for herbs and the locals like to visit her because she always has a suitable remedy ready.
Little Collin becomes a teenager who falls in love for the first time, and while Aunt Verena sees her life in disarray, Dolly is happy with her young nephew. But when suddenly the businessman Morris Ritz shows up in town, everything looks very different, because Verena also realizes that she can still fall in love. Ritz is looking for new investment opportunities, and Verena comes up with the idea of having Dollys produce herbal medicines in large quantities and making money with them. However, Dolly resists this exploitation, which eventually leads to an argument with her sister and as a result, Dolly moves out without further ado. She moves into a tree house with Collin and her friend Catherine.
Some residents of the village - under the leadership of Verena - are not enthusiastic about this inflammatory action and without further ado ask the sheriff and the old justice of the peace Charlie Cool for help. However, the judge takes Dolly's side and unceremoniously moves into the tree house, he even proposes to her. They are also supported by the rebellious youngster Riley Henderson and the street preacher Sister Ida, who has many children, who of course is also not wanted by some of the conservative small town residents.
After Morris Ritz ran away with Verena's money in the middle of the night, the two sisters get back together and they get closer than ever. A little later, however, Dolly dies of a stroke. Collin finally says goodbye to the small town to study and become a writer.
background
Director Charles Matthau cast his father Walter for the role of judge Charlie Cool. Jack Lemmon, with whom Walter Matthau formed a successful comedian duo for decades , can also be seen in the supporting role of the sleazy businessman Ritz. Walter Matthau and Jack Lemmon only have one common scene in the film. The main roles of the Talbo sisters Dolly and Verena are Piper Laurie and Sissy Spacek, who played mother and daughter in Brian De Palma's 1974 horror classic Carrie - Des Satan's Youngest Daughter .
The grass harp was shot in Wetumpka , Alabama . The film was the last work of the Oscar-winning screenwriter Stirling Silliphant, who died in 1996 at the age of 78. Silliphant's script is largely based on the novel by Truman Capote. At the box office, Die Grasharfe was a failure, the budget of nine million US dollars could not be recovered by far.
Awards
The Grasharfe went largely unnoticed at award ceremonies, but director Charles Matthau received the award for best director at the 1996 Family Film Awards .
Reviews
The reviews of The Grass Harp were mixed. The New York Times wrote that The Grass Harp was "a sweet, wise, funny, poignant film" that knew how to harness the talents of its first-class cast. The acting performances are "evenly skillful, sharp reproductions of striking individuals ". Director Charles Matthau has created a landscape that appears "distant and atmospheric" and conveys timeless messages. The Los Angeles Times noted, the film "celebrate rebirth and renewal, but within a stubborn gaze on life that never allows that it derails a fairy tale." Variety wrote The Grass Harp is a "jewel of a movie" and is characterized by a "sensitive script" and a "wonderful ensemble cast ".
The filmdienst showed, however, disappointed: "Factory faithful adaptation of the novel by Truman Capote, but does not retain the poetic ease, but slips into sentimental gravitas. The simple narrative is watered down by sweet music, rosy colors and postcard-perfect pictures and turned into a pompous ' Bildungsroman '. " Cinema judged positively, the film offers a" charming society painting of the USA in the 30s "and is a" poetic, top-rated literary film adaptation ".
Web links
- The Grass Harp in the Internet Movie Database (English)
- The Grass Harp at Rotten Tomatoes (English)
Individual evidence
- ^ The Grass Harp at Variety
- ^ Wetumpka website
- ^ The Grass Harp - Box Office at the Internet Movie Database
- ↑ The Grass Harp at Rotten Tomatoes
- ^ The Grass Harp at the New York Times
- ↑ The Grass Harp at the Los Angeles Times
- ↑ The grass harp at Variety
- ↑ The grass harp. In: Lexicon of International Films . Film service , accessed March 2, 2017 .
- ↑ The grass harp at Cinema