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Okay, not many movies make me cry, but this one did. The Mulvaneys are basically this "too go to be true" little family that lives a perfect life on a perfect ranch. Blythe Danner and Beau Bridges are the Mulvaney parents raising three sons and a daughter. At first this movie sort of made me feel like the Mulvaneys were cotton candy giving me a rotten tooth, but I have to admit that I gained sympathy for them and cried for them as the story developed. Basically, there is a horrible tragedy involving the daughter, Marianne that eventually spirals the family downward and out of control. Poor Marianne is alienated for something that wasn't even her fault. In addition, the town does not seem to have any sympathy for the Mulvaneys which makes matters even worse. Marianne is sent away, the entire family falls apart, and Dad becomes a chronic alcoholic. Blythe Danner is definitely the "rock of Gibraltar" for the family as she guides them as best as she can through the worst of circumstances. All of the family members seem to disconnect for one reason or another. In the end, a family that was once ripped apart is reunited under a different flag - children are now married or have girlfriends, there is a child on the way, etc. This movie is really about strength and the strength of family. It is terrible to imagine that anyone or any family should suffer so much, but at least there is reconciliation in the end when the family is once again together and a new horizon seems to be the hope to erase a terrible past. This movie is actually based on the Joyce Carol Oates novel. I have to admit that the first half of the movie did not really have me that intrigued. I was getting kind of bored and kind of mad at the Mulvaneys, but as the story unfolded it got better. This movie is not a ray of sunshine, so be prepared to cry. There is a heart-wrenching scene as Beau Bridges is lying in a hospital bed dying and seeing his daughter for the last time. This to me is the most memorable scene in the entire movie. I would usually find this kind of corny, but it was just so sad that it made the waterworks well up. I also felt terrible for Marianne because she was such a good-at-heart person, but I think the persistent strength and outlook of her character really is meant for us all to learn something. This was somewhat like a Lifetime movie, but I never like to say something is just for women to watch because I think anyone can watch a drama such as this and develop their own opinions and get something out of it. It was a little bit different than what I expected. However, I still think it was good. I do like Joyce Carol Oates novels and I thought the movie "Foxfire" was adapted pretty good from her novel as well. So basically, if you like novels turned into movies and are in the mood to extensively cry, you would probably like this.Read full review
Very pleased
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned