Unhook the Stars

Unhook the Stars is a 1996 American drama film directed by Nick Cassavetes and starring Gena Rowlands, Marisa Tomei, and Gérard Depardieu. Rowlands plays Mildred, a widow who befriends the wayward Monica (Tomei), a single mother from across the street, and eventually finds herself babysitter of Monica's young son, J.J. Throughout the film, Monica and J.J. inadvertently teach Mildred valuable life lessons about herself and her relationships with others.

Rowlands and Tomei both received SAG Award nominations for their performances. The film's title refers to a song of the same name by Cyndi Lauper, which can be heard over the closing credits.

Plot

Mildred (Gena Rowlands) is a widow living with her rebellious, irresponsible twentysomething daughter Annie (Moira Kelly) in Salt Lake City. One day after a fight, Annie goes to live as a vagrant her boyfriend, leaving Mildred alone for the first time in her life. One morning, her wayward neighbor Monica (Marisa Tomei) knocks on Mildred's door, begging her to watch her young son, J.J (Jake Lloyd) so she can go to her work shift. Monica has kicked her abusive husband, Frankie, out of their house.