Housekeeping(1987) dvd review by OPPYH

CINEMA

Housekeeping(1987) dvd review

POSTED BY: OPPYH
UPDATED: Wednesday, September 21, 2011 01:24
SHORT URL:
VIEWED: 4026
PAGE 1 of 1

Tuesday, September 20, 2011 9:14 PM

HOUSEKEEPING(1987)Columbia Pictures 117 minutes [PG]

"I knew why Sylvie felt there were children in the woods. I felt so too, but I didn't think so. I knew that if I turned around however quickly, they would be gone. Even if they spoke just at my ear. And those children around me were light, spare, and wild and thoroughly used to the cold. It was almost a joke to them to be cast out in the woods. 'It is better to have nothing' they were saying. It is better to have nothing."

Ruth, and Lucille are sisters that are given an unfortunate ordeal in life. Their mother commits suicide when they are very small. They are raised by their grandmother in the small town of Fingerbone Washington. The time period is the early 50's. When their grandmother passes away, their aunt Sylvie(Christine Lahti) comes by train to take care of the girls. The two teens are thrilled to have Sylvie watch over them, although they notice she is very different in her ways. Eccentric. Sylvie collects newspapers, saves tin cans, naps on park benches in the middle of town. Lucille rebels against Sylvie. She wants normalcy in her life, not odd behavior. Ruth on the other hand gets along very well with Sylvie, and enjoys her company.

The film Housekeeping is what made me really love the movies. I bought the VHS in 1989, and in the early 90's I bought a Laserdisc player in hopes it would be released someday(I thought it would look fantastic in LD quality...and in widescreen!). I waited forever. Well, almost 15 years into the dvd boom, it is finally here.
It looks absolutely beautiful. The remastered Anamorphic widescreen picture made me fall in love with the film all over again. The digital sound is crisp, and clear . The score from Michael Gibbs never sounded better. The dvd also includes the trailer. It has been a long road, but I finally own my favorite film of all time on dvd!!
Just for fun, I thought I would compare my old VHS copy to the new transfer on dvd......WHOA! What a huge difference. Night, and day.

Back to the film. The third act of the film is considerably dark in tone. After an unexpected event that leaves Ruthie crushed, and heartbroken aunt Sylvie takes her across the lake in a rowboat to spend a day in the mountains, and woods. Roasting marshmallows, and enjoying the natural beauty of the mountainous region.
This scene is not only visually stunning, it is also very poetic in its narrative. The final scene still gives me chills. It is on par wit the final scene of One Flew Over the Cukoos Nest(similar).
Christine Lahti as Sylvie is a sight to behold. A free spirit. Funny, aloof, and magical. The girls Sara Walker(Ruth) and Andrea Burchill( Lucille) give amazing performances....especially for two unknowns. Whatever became of them?

I have thought many different times about the major theme in this movie. And I think the greatness of the film is that every time I watch it, I find something new. It could be non-conformity(although it would be the most gentle non-conformity movie in history). It could be tolerance. Accepting people for who they are. But with the last viewing I think I got the message: Life is short, be true to yourself.

----------------------------------------------------------------

70's TV FOREVER

NOTIFY: Y | REPLY | REPLY WITH QUOTE | TOP | HOME

Wednesday, September 21, 2011 1:24 AM

PENGUIN

I remember this movie.

I enjoyed it because is was a little quirky.

King of the Mythical Land that is Iowa

NOTIFY: N | REPLY | REPLY WITH QUOTE | TOP | HOME

YOUR OPTIONS

SHARE THREAD

NEW POSTS TODAY

USER	POST DATE

USER

POST DATE