anyone else watching for the first time? - The Trip to Bountiful (1986) Discussion

[–] rockcairn69 17 years ago

Same here. I had remembered her name from being in a John Wayne movie that was pretty good, and looked in on this one just to see how she'd changed. I am quite impressed, this is quite the tour de force for her acting ability, which is always tricky, because it requires you to show no acting at all!! Cause it looks so natural.

I guess when her greatness came together with the screenwriter's and director's greatness, this wonderful film was bound to be a gem. And an underappreciated gem at that, too bad....

"Go back to your oar, Forty One."

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[–] gbennett5 17 years ago

Wonderfully acted, especially, of course, by Ms. Page, who was a genius
(ever see her in "Interiors" or "Summer and Smoke?"). But, having said
that, this is a one-time viewing for me. Could never sit throught this
one again. Too talky and slow. But definintely worth that once-in-a
lifetime viewing.

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[–] gerald-flynn 17 years ago

I just caught this gem of a film for the first time when TCM ran it a couple of weeks ago. Ms. Page gives an incredible performance and richly deserved her Oscar. Anyone who has had to deal with the elderly who feel marginalized can see how accurately this was reflected in her acting. An absolutley wonderful experience, watching this film!

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[–] SaxAndViolins 11 years ago

I know exactly what you mean. This movie could have been set in the present day and it would be perfectly relatable.

Like a circle in a spiral, like a wheel within a wheel...

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[–] Enrique-8 17 years ago

One of the best and most memorable performances on screen ever. I saw it back in 1985 and knew she would win the Oscar - hands down.

Enrique Sanchez

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[–] kaaduge 17 years ago

I just watched the film for the first time - absolutely excellent. To find out the fact that Geraldine Page won the Oscar for best actress of 1985 over the likes of Anne Bancroft in "Agnes Of God", Whoopi Goldberg "The Color Purple", Jessica Lange "Sweet Dreams", and Meryl Streep "Out Of Africa" was suprising - but very deserved in my opinion. I've seen all of those films a number of times and thought that all those leading ladies gave great performances - but to finally see Geraldine Page's perfomance in "The Trip To Bountiful" , I can see why she won. I love it when I see a great film for the first time - especially if I don't know much about it.

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[–] Loomis_Orange 17 years ago

Geraldine Page deserved more than one Oscar in her lifetime. Her work in everything she ever touched was stupendious. There is a "campy" fim torn from the same material as "Whatever Happened to Baby Jane" that she made with Ruth Gordon that was a dropkick right to the head! Man, that woman just bit into this murderess role wih her teeth all sharpened! I was scared of this woman and I was sitting outside the screen! One of the finest pieces of camp I have EVER watched and it was DELIBERATE camp, not accidental camp like in Mommie Dearest. It was made at a time when older actresses were just brushed aside for youth and these more mature women had to take what was offered. Geraldine ALWAYS had the stage tho. They adored her there. Appreciated her more too.

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[–] 17 years ago

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[–] ewdot2480 17 years ago

I just did last night. I was transfixed. Geraldine Page was wonderful.

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[–] synergy273 16 years ago

good movie! but I wanted more from the ending:( I kept hoping Ludie was going to say, they were staying and he was dumping the wife!!!!

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[–] fiatlux-1 16 years ago

but I wanted more from the ending:( I kept hoping Ludie was going to say, they were staying and he was dumping the wife!!!!

YES, YES, YES!! That's what I was thinking too! Also, I was kind of hoping Ludie would say
"Have a big drink out of the creek, Jessie Mae!"

"I'd say this cloud is Cumulo Nimbus."
"Didn't he discover America?"
"Penfold, shush."

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[–] Leticiasix 16 years ago

Well, A Trip to Bountiful came back on TCM last night and I had to watch the entire movie all over again. It is one of the best movies I have ever seen and Geraldine Page is just magnificent. I've probably seen the movie a dozen times over the years and it still just mesmerizes me. Her performance is just flawless and so heart wringching. I also bought the movie awhile back because I wanted to have it in my DVD library for the future. Bravo, Miss Page.

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[–] LuciaJoyce 16 years ago

I just saw it for the first time as well, on TCM last night as well. I was in tears by the end. I was amazed not only by Geraldine Page, but by Rebecca de Mornay (whom I'd always dismissed as a sexpot) and by John Heard (whom I'd always dismissed as a sniveling self-hating corrupt policeman). I was surprised by Mary Stuart Masterson's parents as well -- I had no idea that she came from such a lineage. And finally I was surprised by the film -- I guess I had always had it confused with PLACES IN THE HEART.

I would love to have it on DVD.

--
I should warn you -- he's a Fourierist.

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[–] fiatlux-1 16 years ago

I was surprised by Mary Stuart Masterson's parents as well -- I had no idea that she came from such a lineage

Who are her parents in this film?

"I'd say this cloud is Cumulo Nimbus."
"Didn't he discover America?"
"Penfold, shush."

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[–] LuciaJoyce 16 years ago

I was surprised by Mary Stuart Masterson's parents as well -- I had no idea that she came from such a lineage

Who are her parents in this film?

Mary Stuart Masterson isn't in the movie. Her mother Carlin Glynn played John Heard's shrewish wife in this movie; and her father Peter Masterson directed this movie (it was his first film). I had no idea that Mary Stuart Masterson was a 2nd generation actress, is all.

Hey fiatlux, I like everything about your profile -- I love DANGER MOUSE and "Fiat Lux" is the motto of my alma mater!

--
I should warn you -- he's a Fourierist.

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[–] 16 years ago

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[–] MorganLee1988 14 years ago

Watched this for the first time today. Loved it.

I always thought Whoopi Goldberg would have won for The Color Purple had Geraldine Page not lost seven times before finally winning for this. Then, today, I actually watched the film. Now, I have not seen any other movie with Ms. Page (Born in '88...Give me time), but this was a phenomenal performance. I felt like a good fifteen minutes could have been cut. I did not know if I was supposed to hate the character of Jessie Mae or not; I mean I can see where she would be going crazy with taking care of her aging mother-in-law and wimpy husband. Then again, she was a bit high-strung and needed to take her lazy ass to work if she was so unhappy at home and I can see why Carrie would wanna irritate her. Absolutely the best scenes were with Page and Rebecca De Mornay on the bus. This was where Page truly shined.

I have now seen three of the five 1986 Best Actress nominees and would rank them 1) Page, 2) Goldberg, 3) Lange (Sweet Dreams); all that's left are Meryl Streep/Out of Africa and Anne Bancroft/Agnes of God.

Regardless, I'm glad to know that Page winning wasn't a "Here, lets just give you an award for any performance because we've snubbed you so many times before." From the three I've seen so far, she actually gave the best performance.

- Grade for the movie as a whole: B-
- Grade for Geraldine Page: A

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[–] fiatlux-1 14 years ago

I thought Heard was a bit flat at the end too, but I think he was very heartfelt when he said how hard he tried to make a life for his mother and Jessie Mae.
That always tugs my heartstrings.

"I'd say this cloud is Cumulo Nimbus."
"Didn't he discover America?"
"Penfold, shush."

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[–] 14 years ago

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[–] fiatlux-1 9 years ago

I've seen this movie dozens of times...its on my Top 3 Favorite Film list. 

While I do agree that Heard was somewhat flat as we mentioned, I've been giving some more thought to his character.
Ludie was someone who was accustomed to stifling his emotions, keeping himself tightly controlled.
It was probably a self-protective device, as his life had been very tough indeed & was only beginning to improve ever so slightly.

Ludie revealing to his mom that he did remember his life in Bountiful, every memory was intact after all, spoke volumes.
He was trying desperately to keep everything together, but when he finally is confronted with his childhood home & memories of such....he cracks just a little.

Lastly, he realizes that he needs to stand up for his life a little.
Now at least, Jessie Mae never knows WHEN Ludie might snap again! Great scene.

I'd say this cloud is Cumulo Nimbus.
Didn't he discover America?
Penfold, shush.

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[–] PenTheater 9 years ago

Absolutely, He was "flat" for a reason, he held it all in, like many people do. And when he breaks through at the end " I do remember it all Mama". We know and its an amazing scene, because we all KNOW ourselves that we don't forget any of those childhood memories either, sometimes we wonder why we suppress them.

It is a silly notion some cultures have that human's should "grow up." And I don't mean responsibility, I am talking about emotion and feelings, silliness and creativity. As you get older you realize that is a stupid way to live. I for one would never tell a child that.

Ephemeron.

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