The Trip to Bountiful (1985)

Highly Overrated But Still Good

The performances transcend the film's tropes, grounding it in characters that feel more complete than this subgenre often produces.

It's entirely possible that sending the audience out feeling lousy was intentional

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

There are some films you watch because they have a great story. This is not one of them.There are some films you watch because of a great acting performance. This is supposed to be one of those films. But in reality, it is not. I don't care that Geraldine Page won an Academy Award for this film; in my view it was a payback for having been nominated 7 times previously and not winning.Now, why do I say that her performance is not Oscar worthy. Go back and watch 1963's "Toys In The Attic" starring her, Dean Martin, and Wendy Hiller. Same performance, just a different script and different lines. I would have thought it was a fine performance had I not been familiar with "Toys In The Attic".What about supporting actor John Heard as the son. Wooden. Talking, not acting. Thumbs down (and yet I have seen Heard be very good in other films).How about Carlin Glynn as Heard's wife? Too shrill. Overacting.In my view, the only performance worth watching in the film was that of Richard Bradford in a somewhat small role as the sheriff. Nicely played. Actually, Rebecca De Mornay is fairly good as a fellow bus passenger, as well.Sorry, but this film -- the type of film I often like -- gets a BIG thumbs down from me.

The acting is first rate, but, despite her Oscar, Page was better in Woody Allen's Interiors, in a much more demanding and unsympathetic role. The real stars here are Glynn and Heard, and it's a tossup as to which actor is better, for neither is as accessible as the Page role. Glynn's role is as a seeming bitch, but we never really believe that, as in several moments throughout the film we see she really does care for her mother. Heard's character never has problems showing he cares, but he is a classic hen-pecked type. Since abrasiveness and seeming cowardice are not valued traits, it's no wonder both Foote and the audience sympathize more with Mother Watts, and this is why she is the de facto lead, even if her tale is the least interesting, and most predictable, of the three- especially when we learn that two of Ludie's siblings died in that town, in childhood. The character played by DeMornay is, by contrast, merely a plot device to get inside Mother Watts. With that done, her exit from the film is anticlimactic.The film got mixed reviews on its release, but even those who praised it did so for the wrong reasons, lumping it in with lesser nostalgic schlock like The Color Purple and the later Driving Miss Daisy. There was also the critical cribbing regarding Mother Watts' first name, as well as some claims that the film has flashbacks, due to the opening credits scene where we see a young Mother Watts and child Ludie running through a field of flowers. But, since this is the opening shot, and is never repeated, it cannot be a flashback. The film could be considered a flashforward, but given the bulk of time spent in the film's present, this is ludicrous. It does, however, amply show the problems many critics have in dealing with art that does not conform to their preconceptions, nor the promotional material they are given. The film's main themes song, Softly And Tenderly, sung by Cynthia Clawson, is memorable, but scoring is not a strength of this film.The Trip To Bountiful has many great points and moments, but it is not a great film, for the translation between media is a difficult thing to pull off. But, the film shows the failure of much contemporary writing, with an over-reliance on diurnal description and rote explanation, whereas true characterization comes from observation- the viewer being to observe what and what not the character does, and how that has an effect on the character, even if the whole observational process is discreetly exhibited. This film is a great example of characterization at its finest, and even though it does not achieve overall greatness in this medium, it small failures point out the way that the truly great works of the filmic medium do achieve it. Thus, it recapitulates much of the learning process that the tercet of main characters undergoes. Not bad for a failure, eh?

First time i have ever seen this movie. I was enthralled. I loved Page's performance. I've known people like Carrie Watts. I've also known people like Jessie May, who need a good slap. Rebecca DeMornay was so kind and sweet and it makes you want them to stay in touch. You almost get the feeling that Carrie Watts was receiving messages from her dead friend, the sense of urgency she had about getting home; and then to get home and find out your friend had just died and was buried the day before. My own mother lived only 100 miles from where she was born and she very rarely was able to go back to see her old homestead; the house that she lived in during the winter is still standing and in good shape. I feel bad now that I never made a bigger effort to take her back there so she could visit. This is one of the best movies i have ever seen.

I never know what to write about movies like "The Trip to Bountiful." So many users have already given it accolades; what else is there to write ? Once again, I stumbled on it on TCM in the middle of this film. I'd always wanted to see it. People who have not experienced the closeted atmosphere this plot depicts (several people living in a small apartment) are truly lucky - I have and am, although I'm not directly involved.Peter Masterson has directed a masterpiece from Horton Foote's script, although I doubt seriously if he had much to do with Geraldine Page's ("Carrie Watts") performance. She WAS "Carrie;" she portrayed this eccentric lady with a revelation seldom achieved by anyone. Although I missed the first half of the movie, I didn't need it - I could understand each character's personality clearly, although there were some whom I really didn't want to understand. But, isn't that life ? I did not recognize John Heard ("Ludie Watts"). He was perfect for that character, as was Carlin Glynn ("Jessie Mae"). Didn't you want to choke her? A fabulous performance. In the confines of their apartment, "Ludie" knew he was a failure in his life, because he had neither the courage to reprimand his wife nor gently accompany his mother to her dearest place on earth. He left that up to "the Sheriff" (Richard Branford)....another stellar performance.Every scene in this movie, I'm sure, was a gem, carried by Ms. Page. I was certain it was going to be "Thelma" (Rebecca de Mornay) to take "Carrie" to Bountiful.....she was so kindly aware of "Carrie's" predicament. Yet, that would have prevented the redemption of the other characters. "Ludie's" confession and demonstration of his love for "Carrie"; "Jessie Mae's" shock to receive the sweet kiss on her cheek by "Carrie", who accepted all of the demands of "the list". A touching shocker when "Carrie" let the magic of her life sift through her fingers as she scooped-up a handful of earth.....you know she saw her mom and dad on the porch.We all will make a "Bountiful" trip, either actual or imaginary. I'd jump into my auto right now, if I thought it would make it to Mississippi. Flying would be too abrupt - it's the build-up to the ultimate desire to re-connect with the past. This is a movie which should be shared by an entire family-viewing.......I've rated it at 50.