Simply A Masterpiece

Excellent, a Must See

This story has more twists and turns than a second-rate soap opera.

It's the kind of movie you'll want to see a second time with someone who hasn't seen it yet, to remember what it was like to watch it for the first time.

Geraldine Page finally picked up a long overdue Oscar as the cantankerous widow longing to see her hometown of Bountiful one more time before she dies in Peter Masterson's fine and understated adaptation of Horton Foote's play "The Trip to Bountiful". Foote himself did the screenplay and there's really very little to it but Foote was a master of making the small, inconsequential things of life seem important. Unfortunately there is nothing small about Page's performance; this is acting with a capital A. Never the most subtle of performers, Page deploys every mannerism in the Method Actor's Handbook pulling out all the stops in a shameless bid to finally get that Oscar. The best performance comes from John Heard as the son torn between a nagging wife, (an excellent Carlin Glynn), and an overpowering mother. It's just a pity we don't see more of him

This takes place in the 1940s. Carrie Watts (Geraldine Page), an elderly woman, is living with her son Ludie (John Heard) and his wife Jessie Mae (Carlin Glynn). Ludie is henpecked by Jessie Mae and Jessie treats Carrie like dirt. All Carrie wants is to visit her home town before she dies. Ludie and Jessie won't help her so she decides to go on her own.This is one of those quiet movies that people (mostly critics) fall all over themselves praising. Page won a well deserved Oscar for this but, aside from her acting, this is a slow-moving and frankly dull tale. Perhaps it worked well on stage but it certainly doesn't transfer to film. I have no problem with quiet slow-moving movies at all as long as they're interesting or innovative. This is neither. I knew exactly where this was going and exactly how it would end up. There were no surprises at all. Page's excellent performance doesn't disguise the fact that this is a totally predictable and boring movie. Just because a movie is quiet and slow doesn't automatically make it some work of art. Worth catching for Page and Rebecca De Mornay (a passenger Page meets on the bus) but little else. To make things worse the character of Jessie Mae is so unpleasant and cruel that she becomes a caricature. I don't blame the actress Glynn for it--I blame the writing. A slow, dull, wildly overpraised movie. I can only give it a 5.

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.