Director Bruce Beresford brings Josephine Humphrey's beautiful novel with sensitivity and amazing insight. His use of locations and the stunning backdrop is done with an eye for the landscape, just as his depiction of the characters is done with an instinct and empathy for humanity. Those characters are portrayed wonderfully by Albert Finney and Jill Clayburgh as very real people and not simply as caricatures of typical Southerners. Outstanding in the role of the young girl Lucille is the gifted Kathryn Erbe. She is nothing less than superb and would have been a true star making role if the film had been more successful at the box office. Although the film was not seen by many, Erbe's performance is some of her finest work and her incredible talent shines even among the members of this veteran cast. She is deeply moving in this film and Erbe makes Lucille one of the most memorable young women in cinema history.

An exquisite little film from director Bruce Beresford, from Josephine Humphrey's wonderful novel. An ensemble cast does terrific work with Albert Finney and Jill Clayburg outstanding in their roles. The true gem of a performance comes from Kathryn Erbe in a part she gives depth and beauty. As the young high school girl coming-of-age, she is nothing less than superb. Once she steps before the camera, she is mesmerizing in her loveliness and her gifts as an actor are electric on screen. It is certainly a performance deserving of an Oscar nomination and I expected such after I saw this in the theater. By all rights, this should have been a star making role for Erbe and though she has done very well in her distinguished career, for some reason Hollywood powers did not take note of the stunning talent she displayed in this movie. She is worthy of far more recognition than she has received if only an Emmy for her wonderful portrayal of Detective Alex Eames in Law and Order: Criminal Intent. She gave that understated character complexity, sensitivity, and humanity while too often in the shadow of her co-star. She held her own, however, and Eames is some of her finest work. Perhaps the casting couch was simply not worth it to Erbe and she chose to act without compromising her honor. Whatever the reason, one can only watch this film and wonder why she isn't given roles played by much less talented actresses today. The script is also well written, intelligent, and often moving. One of the most touching films about the South, youth awakening to the real world, and life itself. A beautiful film with some outstanding acting that some how slipped under the radar and never was as acclaimed as it should have been.

This wonderful film explores matters of the heart neither in a sentimental way nor in a cynical way--rather honestly, giving respect to the feelings, hopes and thoughts of the characters. Set in present-day South Carolina, Albert Finney portrays a retired contractor, who appears to have retired from life before he retired from his job. His performance is so spot-on as to be transparent, allowing the viewer to enter completely into his character and almost "be him." The story opens with his wife leaving him, and the core of the film focusses on how he and his younger daughter, played by Kathryn Erbe, deal with this unexpected event. Miss Erbe is as good as Mr. Finney and surpasses him in delineating a "real" Southern human being, not the typical stereotype or the northerner in disguise (see: Susan Sarandon in The Client or Charles Mitchell in Cookie's Fortune--good performances but about as southern as Sherlock Holmes). This is very much an ensemble film, with good performances also coming from Suzy Amis, Piper Laurie, Alfre Woodard, and Ethan Hawke. I particularly liked Miss Amis who has a difficult partto create, sustain and evolve in a plausible fashion. She walks the actor's proverbial "tightrope" beautifully. The plot has several strands, including Miss Erbe's dealing with budding sexuality (she plays a graduating high school senior), the older sister's arrival on the scene, and others you MUST see for yourself. This movie was directed by Bruce Beresford and should have received a much wider audience when released in theatres. But its subtlety, lack of sex and violence, and its refusal to sacrifice quality for the chance of a wider audience. I strongly recommend this film.

As her family begins to unravel, young Lucille Odom (Kathryn Erbe) enburdens herself with the job of holding the whole deal together, including a casual father (Albert Finney) and a wild older sister (Suzi Amis).Erbe, a Chicagoan who does far too much work on stage and too little on film (What About Bob?), is wonderful, Finney, brilliant. The story does tend to wander, and each of the new characters that crosses our path (including Piper Laurie and Alfre Woodard) tend to show us as many weaknesses as strengths. Such is the honesty of the tale.The Southern (Charleston?) setting is wonderfully comfortable-we ride the visual images as much as the heartfelt characters. The whole thing has a Hallmark Hall of Fame feeling---with not the perfunctory payoff in the endI like this film very much.