Blue Sky (1994)
Hank Marshall is a tough, square-jawed, straitlaced Army engineer and nuclear science expert, assigned to help conduct weapons testing in 1950s America. Hank has become a thorn in the side of the Army, though, for a couple of very different reasons. He is an outspoken opponent of atmospheric testing, though his superiors hold contrary views and want to squelch his concerns...and his reports. The other problem is his wife, Carly. She is voluptuous and volatile, wreaking havoc in his personal life and stirring up intrigue at each new Army base.
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Slow pace in the most part of the movie.
The performances transcend the film's tropes, grounding it in characters that feel more complete than this subgenre often produces.
The movie's neither hopeful in contrived ways, nor hopeless in different contrived ways. Somehow it manages to be wonderful
Actress is magnificent and exudes a hypnotic screen presence in this affecting drama.
Jessica Lange's Oscar-Winning Performance in 'Blue Sky', is Stunning! The 2-Time Academy-Award Winning Legendary Actress once again lights the screen on fire by delivering such a stunning performance. 'Blue Sky' is set in the 1960's, where a nuclear engineer faces a lot of difficulties in his professional & personal life. 'Blue Sky' is a depressing film. The journey its characters go through, the entire story, is very depressing. But, that's exactly how this story is supposed to be: Difficult & Unsettling. It's certainly not meant for the Faint-Hearted, as the drama in here is No-Holds-Barred.Rama Laurie Stagner, Arlene Sarner & Jerry Leichtling's Screenplay is devastating & very effective. Tony Richardson's Direction is good. Cinematography, Editing & Art Design, are nice. Lange's Oscar-Winning Performance is the prime reason to watch 'Blue Sky'. It's an unforgettable performance, that leaves an haunting impact. Also Terrific is Tommy Lee Jones, who plays the troubled husband, with great control & understanding.On the whole, 'Blue Sky' is depressing, but Lange's Oscar-Winning Performance makes it a must see. Strongly Recommended!
The problem comes from the fact that I (and my wife) found it hard to watch Lang's performance and feel much, if any sympathy for her. Yeah, sure, she's bi-polar, but so what? She needs to be taking her meds, although being married to enabler Tommy Lee, who has seemingly never asked himself (or her). 'what the heck are you doin' and why?' has added to the problem. The film takes it's time setting up the crisis, then solves it easily and quickly. But, as they all ride off into the sunset, laughing, you have to ask yourself, 'when is this going to happen again?' And, when it does, what will happen then? No reason to suspect things will be any better, or any different. Which is also fine, but then, why are they laughing? Sorry, for me, it simply doesn't generate any sympathy or empathy for the lead characters. It may be good acting, but the director needed to take a hard look at the lack of empathy created and do something about it.
Tommy Lee Jones is one of my favorite actors since I saw U.S. Marshals." Jones is an actor with a heart, integrity and charisma that only a few other actors have in my opinion. Since "U.S. Marshals," I have vowed to watch all of his films either in theaters or on tape to enjoy his range of acting. Jones leads an all-star cast in this superb film "Blue Sky."This is an epic film with characters that make the viewer want to care about them. One of the best parts of "Blue Sky" is the fact that there were several plots, which worked because they all came together well.I enjoyed how Tommy Lee Jones and Jessica Lange reciprocated their love for one another. For example, at the beginning when Lange's character was going through a difficult time Jones was there. The favor was returned when the roles were reversed.This film is one of the best films because it shows the strength of love and relationship and how they hold up during good times and bad.
Lange's convincing portrayal of the neurotic, alcoholic wife, and Tommy Lee's loving, patient coping-with (and covering for) her erraticisms make for a memorable first half. Unfortunately, the whole thing crashes down into preposterous infantile fantasy, with the woman unaccountable metamorphosing into a combination of Nancy Drew and all three of Charlie's Angels to save her husband from durance vile (Beethoven did it better in Fidelio)... As a guy, I'm not supposed to like "relationship" movies, but this one would have been infinitely better left as exactly that, with the comic-book adventure left out.