- published: 18 May 2009
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Ironweed is a 1987 American drama film directed by Héctor Babenco. It is based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel of the same name by William Kennedy, who also wrote the screenplay. It stars Jack Nicholson and Meryl Streep, with Carroll Baker, Michael O'Keefe, Diane Venora, Fred Gwynne, Nathan Lane and Tom Waits in supporting roles.
The story concerns the relationship of a homeless couple: Francis, an alcoholic, and Helen, a terminally ill woman during the Great Depression. Major portions of the film were shot on location in Albany, New York, including Jay Street at Lark Street, Albany Rural Cemetery and the Miss Albany Diner on North Broadway.
The film was nominated for Academy Awards for Best Actor in a Leading Role (Nicholson) and Best Actress in a Leading Role (Streep).
Francis Phelan (Jack Nicholson) is a washed-up baseball player who deserted his family back in the 1910s when he accidentally dropped his son and killed him. It is assumed in the film that he was drunk at the time until he later claims he was just tired and doesn't understand why no one will believe in his story. Since then, Phelan has been a bum, punishing himself. Wandering into his hometown of Albany on Halloween in 1938, Phelan seeks out his lover and drinking companion, Helen Archer (Meryl Streep). The two meet up in a mission managed by Reverend Chester (James Gammon), and later in Oscar Reo's (Fred Gwynne) gin mill.
Albany, New York, Halloween, 1938. Francis Phelan and Helen Archer are bums, back in their birth city. She was a singer on the radio, he a major league pitcher. Death surrounds them: she's sick, a pal has cancer, he digs graves at the cemetery and visits the grave of his infant son whom he dropped; visions of his past haunt him, including ghosts of two men he killed. That night, out drinking, Helen tries to sing at a bar. Next day, Fran visits his wife and children and meets a grandson. He could stay, but decides it's not for him. Helen gets their things out of storage and finds a hotel. Amidst their mistakes and dereliction, the film explores their code of fairness and loyalty.
Keywords: 1900s, 1910s, 1930s, able-to-see-the-dead, accidental-death, albany-new-york, alcoholism, attic, bar, baseball
Helen: What if I did drink too much wine? Whose business is that anyway? Who knows how much I didn't drink, huh?
Francis Phelan: Goddamn dead men, traveling around together.
Francis Phelan: By God, Helen, that's as good as it gets. You were born to be a star.
Trailer for Ironweed (1987) Director: Hector Babenco Cast: Jack Nicholson, Meryl Streep, Carroll Baker, Michael O'Keefe, Diane Venora Visit http://www.jack-nicholson.info for more info
Tom Waits and Jack Nicholson in scenes from 1987's "Ironweed" directed by Hector Babenco and based on the Pulitzer-Prize winning novel by William Kennedy. As a teen I had already been enjoying Tom Waits music and I loved his acting in Ironweed which is my all time favorite film.
If you would like to comment on Meryl Streep performance (or any other female Oscar winner playing a prostitute) go to her Oscar Hookers page here http://oscarhookers.com/meryl-streep-kramer-vs-kramer-1980/ Follow me on: Website: http://oscarhookers.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/oscarhookers Twitter: https://twitter.com/GTLem These movie clips have been uploaded strictly for the purpose of researching and studying the portrayal of prostitution in cinema. Copyright Disclaimer Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for "fair use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. Non-profit, educational or personal use tips the b...
An early 1988 television spot for director Hector Babecon's drama, released in late 1987 and starring Jack Nicholson, Meryl Streep, Carroll Baker, Michael O'Keefe, Diane Venora, Fred Gwynne, Margaret Whitton, Tom Waits, and Nathan Lane.
Great song from a 1987 beautiful and depressing film Ironweed, performed by Meryl Streep.
TROCAS: fernandesrocha4ever@gmail.com
Suite from the unreleased score for the movie "Ironweed", composed and conducted by John Morris, 1987
Já vencedora do Oscar de Melhor Atriz em 1982 por A Escolha de Sophia, Meryl Streep dá um show de interpretação em Ironwedd, de Hector Babenco, de 1987. Recomendo. A partir deste filme é que me tornei seu fã, verdadeiramente.
An alcoholic drifter spends Halloween in his home town of Albany, NY after returning there for the first time in decades. http://bit.ly/2aGZ1RC
An alcoholic drifter spends Halloween in his home town of Albany, NY after returning there for the first time in decades. http://bit.ly/2aGZ1RC
In the attic lies
Voices scream
Nothing's seen
Real's a dream
Leaving the things that are real behind
Leaving the things that you love from mind
All of the things you learned from fears
Nothing is left for the years
Voices scream
Nothing's seen
Real's a dream
(Chorus)
Toys, toys, Toys In The Attic
Toys, toys, Toys In The Attic
Toys, toys, Toys In The Attic
Toys, toys, Toys In The Attic
In the attic lies
Voices scream
Nothing's seen
Real's a dream
Leaving the things that are real behind
Leaving the things that you love from mind
All of the things you learned from fears
Nothing is left for the years
Voices scream
Nothing's seen