One True Thing (DVD)

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TITLE : One True Thing

RATING: *****

CAST: Meryl Streep, Renee Zellweger, William Hurt, Tom Everett Scott, Lauren Graham, Nicky Katt, James Eckhouse, Patrick Breen, Gerrit Graham, David Byron, Stephen Peabody.

DIRECTOR: Carl Franklin

SCREENWRITER: Karen Croner

BASED ON A NOVEL BY: Anna Quindlen

STUDIO: Universal Pictures

RUNNING TIME: ...
...lymphoma; I was the only one with her in the hospital when she passed, and it traumatized me, if you could imagine. She was a wonderful lady who enjoyed life as much as she could after my father's death in 2003, and I will always miss her. She loved reading my film reviews every chance she got, and was anxious to see myself actually getting into the film business myself. Ironically, the original screenplay I've been working on is about the relationship ... more

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TITLE : One True Thing

RATING: *****

CAST: Meryl Streep, Renee Zellweger, William Hurt, Tom Everett Scott, Lauren Graham, Nicky Katt, James Eckhouse, Patrick Breen, Gerrit Graham, David Byron, Stephen Peabody.

DIRECTOR: Carl Franklin

SCREENWRITER: Karen Croner

BASED ON A NOVEL BY: Anna Quindlen

STUDIO: Universal Pictures

RUNNING TIME: 127 min.

RATED: R (US) & 15 (UK); for some language.

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INTRODUCTION
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I know it's been a long time since I've been active on Ciao, and I'm sorry that you have received very little word from me. I moved to Phoenix for several months, but realized I had to return to my home state of Virginia under unexpectedly tragic circumstances. On February 22, my mother passed away from lymphoma; I was the only one with her in the hospital when she passed, and it traumatized me, if you could imagine. She was a wonderful lady who enjoyed life as much as she could after my father's death in 2003, and I will always miss her. She loved reading my film reviews every chance she got, and was anxious to see myself actually getting into the film business myself. Ironically, the original screenplay I've been working on is about the relationship with a young man and the mother he never knew, and of course if it does get a chance to get filmed, it will be dedicated in my mother's memory.

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THE PARENTS SHE NEVER KNEW
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This is a film that I'm sure many of you have never seen, though I'm sure once you look at the cast it will interest you; whether you will go for it will depend on how much you can take emotionally raw dramas, and ONE TRUE THING is no exception. It involves such themes as family secrets, reconnecting with a parent, as well as the ongoing threat of cancer; when I first saw the film in 1998, it destroyed me on so many levels, yet the exceptional performances by all concerned functioned as a catalyst to the difficult story, because they are so relentlessly persuasive and realistic without ever getting overbearing. All three of the main actors---Streep, Zellweger, and Hurt---are all first rate, and I don't think their casting could be any more inspired, since they are willing to take on such challenging material.

Based on the best selling novel by Pulitzer Prize winner Anna Quindlen , the story focuses mostly on Ellen Gulden (Renee Zellweger), a young, 20-something journalist; in the opening scenes, she is talking to a District Attorney though her reasons for doing so remain a mystery for most of the film. Ellen is struggling to maintain a relationship with her boyfriend Jordan (Nicky Katt), while at the same time handling her high position at New Yorker magazine. However, she is soon notified that she must move back home when her mother Kate (Meryl Streep) is diagnosed with terminal cancer. Ellen loves her mother, but has never really related to her and her traditional housewife attitudes and quirks; she has always felt closer to her father George (William Hurt) a well-respected literary professor who is also the head of the English Dept. at New York University.

At first, Ellen resists the idea of putting her career and lovelife on hold to help her mother, but her father begs her to come home as he cannot take care of Kate alone and still work. While the film does center around the lukewarm relationship between Ellen and Kate and how it develops it ultimately, is about Ellen's emotional journey to reaxamine everything her parents have taught her about the world and face some truly shocking revelations about her father and mother and their long marriage. There are moments of humor, to be sure, but this complex drama is often dark, disturbing, and moving; plus, while the tearjerker climax is somewhat expected it is also extremely tough to take.

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LOVE WHAT YOU HAVE
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While many of you may think that ONE TRUE THING sounds rather depressing, I didn't really find it so 8 years ago when I first saw it in the theater…and I still don't; though watching it again recently would strike more than a few nerves---more so because I now completely empathize with what Renee Zellweger's character goes through. After my mother died, I seriously questioned both of my parent's decisions and motives while growing up which always seemed mysterious to me. All that's left is many pictures and an endless stream of memories and, more often not, you feel guilt after a tragic event like this. I wish I had done more to make them proud, and also there were secrets which were unearthed which you cannot fathom or even comprehend.

In essence, watching ONE TRUE THING was actually a healing experience, believe it or not. This is no simple family drama about a parent dying of cancer, but about the child learning for the first time who her parents (particulary her mother) really are. No doubt, others may feel that this film just hits too close to home to actually sit down and "enjoy" watching, and I can understand that completely. At first, I thought I was paranoid to watch a film like this after what I had been through, though it made me understand and appreciate the film even more as being an accurate depiction of a family coping with tragic elements.

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THREE OSCAR WINNING ACTORS
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The film I think succeeds mostly as being an actor's showcase, and Meryl Streep gives another one of her trademark performances; seriously, is there anything this woman cannot do on screen? She was nominated for Best Actress Oscar for this film, and it was her 11th in a long list of memorable screen credits, including Oscars for 1982's SOPHIE'S CHOICE and 1979's KRAMER VS. KRAMER. When she takes control of a scene in ONE TRUE THING, she owns it, and never lets up; as painful as it is watching her character deteriorate onscreen, she gives a signature performance that is hard to top. Matching her is William Hurt (Oscar winner for 1985's KISS OF THE SPIDER WOMAN) as her quiet and reserved husband, a man having to cope with losing his wife at age 48. I've always been a big fan of Hurt as an actor, and here he completely embodies George Gulden with a driven determination to keep his daughter's respect and wife's love, despite his façade being slowly cracked throughout the film.

Renee Zellweger became a star practically overnight after her turn in JERRY MAGUIRE, and she took the role of Ellen Gulden after that film's phenomenal success. She is really the heart of the entire piece, and we see all the events unfolding in front of her eyes with compelling interest, while at the same time joining her through this rollercoaster of exploding emotions. I know many of you out there are fan of Zellweger's work as much as I am; her Oscar-winning turn in COLD MOUNTAIN was a true scene-stealer, though we see in ONE TRUE THING a sensational performance that is layered, poignant and impossible to ignore. Wait until the final sequence and you will question why she was passed up of an Oscar nomination.

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A MASTERFUL ADAPTATION
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Many individuals who read novels before watching the film adaptations tend to respond negatively about the translation from book to film; it is a difficult process to be sure, because they are obviously different mediums. Anna Quindlen's novel, which was published in 1995, is equally moving and perhaps more literate than the film version, though screenwriter Karen Croner manages to bring Quindlen's themes and character development to the screen quite seamlessly, though she did have to drop some key characters. Granted, the adaptation isn't perfect, though it is more than respectable, and director Carl Franklin (OUT OF TIME, HIGH CRIMES) directs his actors with a gentleness and clarity which is lacking in many other family dramas. Franklin is African-American, and this isn't his usual cinematic fare, to be sure, though he and Croner do an overall exceptional job of bringing Quindlen's novel to life.

Kudos should also be given to Cliff Eidelman for his warm, wonderful score, as well as Carole Krevetz' editing; filmed on location in New York and New Jersey by Declan Quinn, the film has a vibrant picture quality. Perhaps the most notable contribution, however, is by makeup expert J. Roy Hellend, who served as Meryl Streep's personal hair stylist and makeup artist; the transformation he gives to Streep is absolutely remarkable. Like I said before, the deteriotation of Streep's character is quite disturbing to watch, though realistic all the same, and I think Hellend also got screwed of getting the Makeup Oscar for his work here. Oh, yes, and I must note that there is a heartrending title song called "My One True Friend," which is played over the end credits by Bette Midler.

The only disappointment I really have for ONE TRUE THING is the DVD release by Univeral in terms of special features; there is no commentary, just a theatrical trailer, some production notes, and a short documentary about the making of the film, with interviews from the cast and crew. Interesting to be sure, though I only recommend them for those who loved the film; with regards to the DVD also, I recommend to most people reading a rental before committing to buying the film. Many of you will probably think it's a great film that can only be viewed once, just because the subject matter and drama is so strong. However, if you get a chance, I highly encourage you all to seek it out; the film is most likely available at your local video shop; on Amazon.co.uk, the ASIN is B00004D0ED and the price is only 4 pounds. Thanks for reading, and I very much hope you find the film moving and unforgettable, as I have. Chris :)

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QUOTES FROM CRONER'S SCREENPLAY
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1) "Your mother cannot deal with strangers, you know that; she needs you! Dammit, you have a Harvard education, so why can't you have a heart?" --- William Hurt

2) "Ok, you have an upgrade, not sure what, but you do." --- Ellen's boss "You really think that someone will say that their mother is ill just to get a promotion?" --- Renee Zellweger "Ellen, this is New York!" --- Ellen's boss

3) "The one thing I never wanted to do was live my mother's life. And that was exactly what I was doing every day." --- Renee Zellweger

4) "Didn't you see her this morning? She is getting worse!" --- Renee Zellweger "No, she is not! Never say that again!" --- William Hurt

5) "I was wondering why you were so hostile with me over Thanksgiving. I know this isn't the right time, but…" --- William Hurt "I have some questions for you…how come she waited so long? Why did she not see a doctor sooner?" --- Renee Zellweger

6) "What the hell are you talking about?" --- William Hurt "Was it because you didn't want your world disrupted? Because you needed to keep your life running so smoothly?" --- Renee Zellweger

7) "This is real life, Dad! F*** fiction! Less is more! Why don't you participate in the most important part of your life?" --- Renee Zellweger

8) "Mom, you know there is handicapped access everywhere…" --- Renee Zellweger "I AM NOT HANDICAPPED! You cannot tell me what to do: this is my house! I'm still the mother of this house!" --- Meryl Streep

9) "What has happened to you and your father? You both used to be so close! Listen, pretty soon he is all you will have and…" --- Meryl Streep "Mom, stop it, I don't want to listen to this." --- Renee Zellweger

10) "Just shut up will you? I want to talk, and nobody ever lets me talk! Your father doesn't ever let me talk! You don't ever let me talk! Brian is the only one who ever lets me talk. Brian is never here. I just want to talk before I die, ok?"--- Meryl Streep

11) "Listen to me: there is nothing about your father that I don't know. NOTHING! And I probably know much more than you do. Now let me speak without you telling me to shut up because what I say hurts you!" --- Meryl Streep

12) "I loved your mother, but because she could do anything. She could keep everything so beautiful and so warm. And I remember what she meant to me: my muse, my lovely wife, my one true thing. Of course she did it…who else would have had the strength?" --- William Hurt

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TRIVIA AND CRITIC'S CORNER
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TRIVIA NOTE #1: One year after this film's release, Anna Quindlen's novel "Black and Blue" (which she won the Pulitzer for) was filmed for TV with Mary Stuart Masterson.

TRIVIA NOTE #2: Carl Franklin and Karen Croner have recently teamed up again to film Nate Blakesee's book "Tulia," which will come out in 2008; it will also reunite MONSTER'S BALL stars Halle Berry and Billy Bob Thornton.

CRITIC'S QUOTE #1: "The strong cast and restrained direction truly do lift ONE TRUE THING above the Kleenex." --- Moira McDonald, Seattle Times

CRITIC'S QUOTE #2: "This heart affecting film challenges us to confront some of the myths and meanings we have constructed about our own parents." --- Frederic Brussat, Spirituality and Practice

CRITIC'S QUOTE #3: "This film rests firmly on the shoulders of Streep and, to a lesser degree, Zellweger. Their performances, along with Carl Franklin's understated direction, keep the tears and life-affirming revelations from congealing into chicken schmaltz for the soul." --- Maitland McDonahugh, Box Office

CRITIC'S QUOTE #4: "In a time where most movie families are hopelessly dysfunctional, it is refreshing to see one that doesn't quite fit the mold." --- Steve Rhodes, Internet Reviews

CRITIC'S QUOTE #5: "Meryl Streep is such an actress of transcendent skill and sympathy, that she regularly elevates her material, taking it up several notches and giving us feelings, insights, feelings and textures, the original writer may have just missed expressing." --- Michael Wilmington, Chicago Tribune 

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