Marvin's Room (1996)

Good movie but grossly overrated

best movie i've ever seen.

Simple and well acted, it has tension enough to knot the stomach.

This is a small, humorous movie in some ways, but it has a huge heart. What a nice experience.

Scott McPherson adapts a beautiful screenplay from his own play. 'Marvin's Room' could have easily been just another one of those sentimental disease-of-the-weak type TV films but McPherson stays true to the story injecting it with a delightful dose of humour. The film focuses on broken relationships and how it's never too late to take the step to mend them until you're gone. The execution is simple and that works very well. The score is in sync with the flow. The writing is beautiful. The dialogues are cleverly written.Diane Keaton is marvelous in a role that could have easily turned out to be a cliché if it were played by a lesser actress. She plays her part naturally with a quiet and yet layered restraint. Meryl Streep does a fine job as the slightly more rebellious and estranged sister who had escaped from having to take care of her father and is proud of her diploma. Leonardo Dicaprio isn't bad either. Robert De Niro is great in a more laidback role. He also reveals a flare for comedy. His scenes with a splendid Dan Hedaya had me laughing. Gwen Verdon is a delight and she provides excellent comic relief. Hume Cronyn doesn't have a scene out of bed but he definitely makes the viewer take note of his performance.My favourite scene is towards the end when the two sisters chat in the kitchen. Keaton's Bessie may have been 'consumed' by taking care of her ailing father and aunt, not 'leading' her own life like the typical American woman but the amazing thing is that she doesn't regret it because she is proud that she has given them so much love and that she can do the same now with her sister and nephews. Then there's the ending which is superbly done. You're left wanting to know how these wonderful characters are doing but at the same time one can acknowledge that it's the best way to end.

This stage to screen adaptation about two estranged sisters attempting a reconciliation after one is diagnosed with cancer is sentimental to the extreme, manipulative beyond forgiveness.....and had me close to blubbering like a baby by the time it was over.Chalk it up to the fact that I had recently lost a grandmother to cancer, but this film nearly devastated me even as I was mad that it was so maudlin. The fact that it works as well as it does is due largely to the fact that such good actors are cast in it. Meryl Streep and Diane Keaton play the sisters (Keaton is the ill one), and while it would never have occurred to me to put these two actresses together, the decision was inspired. And right before he rocketed to international fame, Leonardo DiCaprio does strong work as Keaton's troubled nephew.I won't even try to defend this film against those who say it's too schmaltzy to bear, but please let the rest of us enjoy it in blubbery peace.Grade: A-

i liked this drama starring Meryl Streep and Diane Keaton.the movie starts out as two seemingly separate stories,which end up connecting together under less than ideal circumstances.Leonardo DiCaprio also stars.the acting is good here,particularly from Streep,although Dianne Keaton is good too.DiCaprio(one year before he exploded into super stardom from Titanic)is good but his role is small.Robert De Niro has a role in what amounts to a bit more than a cameo appearance as does Dan Hedaya.you would think the movie would be depressing,but i didn't think it was.it is however,all about the drama,and so it's not fast moving,so that could be a put off for some.if you like dramatic movies,you might like this one.for me,Marvin's Room is a 7/10

"Marvin's Room" is a 1996 film that stars Meryl Streep, Diane Keaton, Leonardo DiCaprio, Hume Cronyn, Gwen Verdon, Robert DeNiro and Dan Hedaya. Just goes to show you the kind of cast a good script can attract, even for a little film.Little film, big emotions. "Marvin's Room" is about two sisters who haven't been in touch for 20 years. Diane Keaton is Bessie, the sister who stayed home and took care of her elderly relatives - her father, Marvin (Cronyn), who is bedridden and non-verbal, and her dizzy but sweet Aunt Ruth (Verdon). Meryl Streep is Lee, the sister who got out of Dodge (Dodge being Florida), got married, had kids, got divorced, and is about to get her cosmetology license. When Bessie is diagnosed with leukemia and is told she needs a relative's bone marrow, she calls Lee. Lee packs up the kids and drives to Florida so they can all be tested.The film begins with Lee's son Hank (DiCaprio) burning down the family dwelling and getting arrested. It's an understatement to say he's angry with his mother, blaming her for the divorce. He forms a bond with his Aunt Bessie, and doesn't want to leave. His mother vehemently doesn't want to stay. In their big confrontation, Bessie accuses Lee of being selfish in not staying and sharing the burden of taking care of their family. "I took care of my family," Lee reminds her. "I had a husband and children, and I never heard from any of you people." This is one of those family dramas that hits home, and with the boomers now in the position of taking care of their parents, it's even more relevant than it was 13 years ago. Each member of the cast gives an honest and realistic performance. As the smoking, no-nonsense, nothing can touch me Lee, Meryl Streep is marvelous. I have to admit that I am not always a fan of hers, only because I can sometimes see her making acting choices. Lee is one role where she just IS the character. Keaton is excellent as the softer, warmer, more nurturing Bessie, who sublimated many of her own dreams. As the rebellious teen, Leonardo DiCaprio gives a wonderful performance as the confused Hank, who discovers family he knew nothing about.There are two sisters, and there are also two brothers - Robert DeNiro, who plays Bessie's doctor, Dr. Wally, and Dan Hedaya, the doctor's slow brother Bob who works in Wally's office. Bob isn't much help, but Wally seems to tolerate him with no problem. He's family, and Wally's responsibility.One scene that really cracked me up - Aunt Ruth loves soap operas, and when we first see her, she's watching a soap opera scene with veteran soap star John Callahan (All My Children) and Kelly Ripa. It's hilarious. I mention it because later on, it comes into play.Jerry Zaks' directing is excellent. Just have a box of tissues nearby. It's a story about a family, with lots of love underneath the problems.