Housekeeping (1987)
In the Pacific Northwest during the 1950s, two young sisters whose mother has abandoned them wind up living with their Aunt Sylvie, whose views of the world and its conventions don't quite live up to most people's expectations.
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Very well executed
Best movie ever!
The plot isn't so bad, but the pace of storytelling is too slow which makes people bored. Certain moments are so obvious and unnecessary for the main plot. I would've fast-forwarded those moments if it was an online streaming. The ending looks like implying a sequel, not sure if this movie will get one
By the time the dramatic fireworks start popping off, each one feels earned.
Bill Forsyth is a Scottish-born director and writer of great insight with a whimsical view of the world. His movies tend to focus on low-key characters and obscure places rarely seen in filmdom. "Local Hero" is one of my all-time favorites. I now add "Housekeeping" to the list.The movie is adapted from a novel by Marilynne Robinson. It takes place in the tiny town of Fingerbone, located in the Cascade Mountains of what I assume is Eastern Washington or Idaho, given many references to Spokane and Portland. I have lived in Seattle for many years, and I adore the scenery featured in this movie. One can almost smell the pungent, bracing aroma of decaying logs, fir trees, and smoldering campfires in the outdoor scenes.Christine Lahti is an actress of rare gifts. Her basic decency and warmth comes through in every film I have seen her in. She plays rootless Sylvie, who comes to be the guardian of two adolescent orphaned nieces, Ruthie and Lucille. The story takes place in the 1950s, and the fashions, cars, and social mores are all dead-on. She and the girls live in a large house on the outskirts of Fingerbone, the same home Sylvie and her deceased sister Helen grew up in. The story explores the relationships of these three women, and the shifting dynamics of those relationships. There is an implied parallel of Ruthie and Lucille with Sylvie and Helen. "Housekeeping" supplies a rich family history for these off-beat characters, and provides a context for their behavior and development.There are very few men in this film. It is resolutely about the lives of women among other women. The story unfolds over several years, and we see how Lucille (the younger sister) comes to be the responsible one, who yearns to live 'like other people'. Sylvie exists in a dream world, and Ruthie is gradually drawn into that land of longing and detachment. Eccentric is how most people would describe the behavior of Sylvie, but I prefer haunted. Haunted by the lingering presence of dead siblings and parents, haunted by the inability to fit in to modern society, haunted by the endless possibilities of other places and times. To me, "Housekeeping" is a ghost story, but these ghosts yet live."She IS sad. I mean, she should be sad."
It featured in the book 1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die, I may not have recognised the stars names, but it doesn't matter, it sounded worth trying, from director Bill Forsyth (Gregory's Girl). Set in the 1950's, in the Pacific Northwest, after being abandoned by their mother, sisters Ruth (Sara Walker) and Lucille (Andrea Burchill) wind up living with their eccentric aunt Sylvie (Christine Lahti). They get on for quite a while, but eventually Lucille can't take the eccentric lifestyle much longer and moves out, but Ruth sticks with Sylvie, even after a flood spoils quite a bit. The relatives want Ruth to get the best out of life, and life with Sylvie might not be doing her any favours, so Sylvie retorts by wanting to live on the road again, taking Ruth with her. That's about all I could grasp I'll be honest, not that I didn't get it all. Also starring Anne Pitoniak as Aunt Lily, Barbara Reese as Aunt Nona, Bill Smillie as Sheriff, Wayne Robson as Principal, Margot Pinvidic as Helen and Georgie Collins as Grandmother. Walker and Burchill were pretty good as the sisters, but I think the key reason I would watch something like this again is because of the curious but charming scene-stealing performance by Lahti, I suppose it is a must-see book-based comedy drama. Very good!
From Marilynne Robinson's book about two orphaned sisters who are raised by their dotty, irresponsible aunt after their mother commits suicide. Downbeat story builds to inevitable resolution (with the aunt's lifestyle questioned by the authorities), yet the film's actual climax pulls the rug out from under the viewer, cutting short the voice-over narration and leaving a myriad of questions unanswered. Still, the darkly comic, quirky overtones are arresting, and the characters--helpless, drifting, directionless people--are vividly well-played. Some of the writing and presentation is arty and alienating, but one cannot forget Christine Lahti's leading performance so easily: flaky, frustrating, puzzling, she's one-of-a-kind. **1/2 from ****
The way this movie ends with the shot of the railroad tracks - reminded me of the way in school they ask two parallel lines ever meet? Mathematically the answer is no but visually it's hard to believe. That dichotomy is at work here in what you feel has been done will happen.The ambiguity is refreshing when most movie makers or studios feel that `happy' or obvious ending are the only thing an audience will take.I was so moved by this movie I also read the book which is as wonderful... A total total joy.