Highly Overrated But Still Good

Best movie ever!

It's funny watching the elements come together in this complicated scam. On one hand, the set-up isn't quite as complex as it seems, but there's an easy sense of fun in every exchange.

The film's masterful storytelling did its job. The message was clear. No need to overdo.

Despite Glen Pitre's reputation with the critics, he shows no distinguishing talent with story, narrative or actors with this war-and-the-homefront melodrama. The men are mostly overwrought, young Lacey Chabert is totally out of the period, and Tatum O'Neal (in the lead as a widowed mother of two under a constant cloud of suspicion) is too low-keyed and looks wrung out; she doesn't connect with the audience in a sympathetic way because she's kept so distant and dry of emotions (except in the brief scene where she laughs at Julian Sands dancing--it's like a breath of fresh air to see her genuinely smiling). Film is patchy, with a low-budget feel that isn't helped by mediocre period affects. It begins with a haunting shot, a flashback that becomes clearer as the film progresses (featuring O'Neal's strongest moments), but the rest of the movie fails to rise to that emotional level. It's so passive and dish-rag limp. One may commend hammy Tim Curry as an alcoholic priest--he does liven things up--but his comic mugging doesn't belong in a movie about U-boats and power-crazed soldiers. ** from ****

In "Home Front", as the DVD was entitled, WWII German U-boats are sinking American ships off the coast of Louisiana and the little Cajun backwater town Cut Off, LA is getting the backlash. The film focuses on a woman (O'Neal) with a big secret, a doctor (Sands) with a medium sized secret, a priest with a little secret, and a USCG Ensign who is the wartime town cop and wants to know everybody's secret. Trying too hard to be all things to all people while lacking in focus, purpose, center of gravity, and character depth this mediocre little indie manages nominal drama - with O'Neal looking in need of some serious direction - while missing much of the smell, sound, and scenic beauty of Cajun country. Recommended only for fans of the players or anyone interested in the location or period. The DVD I watched had no CC's and only Spanish subtitles. (C+)

Saw this under the title "Home Front". The scenery was obviously true to LA. The characters are recognizable to anyone who has ever lived in a small town, even if a war isn't going on.Tim Curry is, as usual, superb. Tatum O'Neil is a breath of fresh air from the typical Hollywood fair. I recognized each character driving this film. Also wondered why I'd never heard of it before just discovering it on a video shelf at Blockbuster. Left me wondering how much was true as I was aware of U-boats off the coast of U.S. but didn't know anything about tankers being blown up. Guess I have some research to do. I am recommending it to everyone I know who enjoys real movies, not just effects disguised as a movie.

Loved this movie and found it pleasingly fast paced. Never drags...never a dull scene. I especially liked the performances of Tim Curry as the village priest and Lacey Chabert as Florida Picou. Lacey is absolutely beautiful on the "big screen".The scenes of south Louisiana are gorgeous with giant oaks draped with moss and beautiful bayous. I found the recreation of a bayou village of the 1940's captivating. As a history buff, I also found the little known story of German U-boats in the Gulf of Mexico fascinating.I would recommend this movie to anyone who enjoys a well told story with fast action, a mystery, and a romance.