UNHOOK THE STARS (1996)

Directed By: Nick Cassavetes 
Written By: Helen Caldwell & Nick Cassavetes 
Cinematography By: Phedon Papamichael 
Editor: Petra Von Oelffen 

 Cast: Gena Rowlands, Marisa Tomei, David Thornton, Jake Lloyd, Gerard Depardieu, Moira Kelly, Bridgette Wilson, Clint Howard


Character study about Mildred, an elderly woman who has spent her life caring for others. When her daughter finally leaves home, she finds that, for the first time in her life, she has nobody to worry about - but soon becomes involved in the life of Monica, a young mother whose husband has left her to look after her young son J.J.. As the relationship blossoms, Monica teaches Mildred that there is more to life than taking care of others.

This film is surprisingly simple and a heart warmer, yet. Speaks volumes and feels more like a John Cassavetes film then the one his son who directed this film also would make next from his father's unproduced screenplay. --Here Nick Cassavetes gives a showcase for his mother Gena Rowland's who gives a marvelous performance full of care and spirit.

Here she bonds with her neighbors a single mother and her son. Which is really where the heart of the film lies.

Nothing much happens in the film as far as situations. Plenty of scenes that are more of an emotional journey. Also more character based scenes. It mostly feels lightweight, but some scenes hand heavy on the heart and luckily always feels believable. There are 80+ uses of the "f" word in this film, and almost all of them are said by Marisa Tomei. In fact, 95% of all swear words are said by Tomei. --The comedic scenes come about naturally and feel organic, due to the characters and their reactions more than a set up and totally unbelievable circumstances.

I really enjoyed this film. Actually more than I expected to. I was glad to see Gena Rowland's finally get a leading role again that not only showed her talent, but her nurturing natural beauty. It's interesting to see her now play the matriarch against Marisa Tomei when back when she was younger she would have played the Tomei role and the film would still have been more about her.

The film is directed with a sure hand, no sloppy experimental camera work or editing. It feels like a film that stays grounded and has a adventurous side. Though this seems to be lightweight and simple material that is kind of like a racy made for television special. It has heart and more conflicted and complicated emotions.

As you may already know nostalgia is strong in me. So I have decided to admit to my first on-screen crushes, my top leading lady of all time. Though many classic and modern actresses have caught my eye, through talent, looks, personality and choices only one stays close near and dear to my heart. Gena Rowland s my first on-screen crush ever since I was a little boy watching the film GLORIA and after viewing it the first time and many times repeatedly over the month and years (it was a favorite to watch on cable) declaring each and Every time that when I grew up I was going to meet, romance as marry Gloria (runner up years later was Alyssa Milano, Soliel Moon Frye and Jenny Lewis)

Throughout my life and her career she has always come across as a lady. Classy yet a broad with a natural grace and warmth about her. Though she always appears nice, she also leaves you with a desire to want to impress and take care of her. Her beauty is timeless. No matter hat role She play even in bad films. She is mesmerizing in her performances and never plays a false note or makes a bad choice. Yet through it all always seems down to earth and like someone you can talk to. She always has a dignity to her performances even when emotionally raw. She never embarasses herself.

Here she is more in her element not as dark and while Marisa Tomei matches her with Tomei a close as she plays to the heart. It feels like a performance. Marisa Tomei always surprises me as she started off her career. So prim And proper seeming to stay in light weight studio features (ONLY YOU, CHAPLIN, MY COUSIN VINNY, UNTAMED HEARTS) eventually she matured, she truly has shown her willingness to get down and dirty in her roles that run towards the more gritty. She shows a fearlessness. I though am happy anytime she gets to play a role where she is more appreciated and celebrated. Just as Rowlands usually is as she intoxicates and delights.

Here Tomei seems to play a woman use all of her life who is at the end of her rope and at first too proud and unpolished to ask for help. Tomei's performance is like Rowlands was in cassavettes filmed as usually stripped emotionally, but is given a chance to always be graceful.

Grade: B