Search - White Palace [Fullscreen] on DVD

MPAA Rating: R Content Advisory: Nudity, Strong Sexual Content, Not For Children, Profanity Movie Release: 1990 DVD Release: 05/01/2001 Format: DVD Audio Tracks: English Subtitles: English, French, Spanish SwapaDVD Credits: 1 Number of Discs: 1 Run Time: 1 hrs 43 mins Studio: GT Media Members Wishing: 2 Genres: Drama, Romance, Romantic Drama See Also: White Palace [Widescreen]

Screenwriters Ted Tally and Alvin Sargent adapted the novel by Glenn Savan into this intelligent comedy-drama about a May-December romance where the woman is the senior partner. James Spader is Max Baron, a 27-year-old St. Louis advertising executive who has completely shut himself off from the world in the two years since the auto accident death of his wife. When he meets free-spirited, 43-year-old burger joint waitress Nora Baker (Susan Sarandon), his attraction to the earthy, outspoken woman is immediate and overpowering. The difference in age isn't their only obstacle happiness: Nora's into Marilyn Monroe, drinking beer, and lives in Dogtown, the city's low-rent district, while Max is cultured, sophisticated, and wealthy. Despite their differences, Max and Nora are alike in their suffering and in their deep need for connection, but their charged relationship is put to the emotional test when it becomes clear that Max is hiding his affair with Nora from his upper middle-class, Jewish social circle. White Palace co-stars Renée Taylor, Eileen Brennan, Kathy Bates, Jason Alexander, and Corey Parker. ~ Karl Williams, All Movie Guide

Susan Sarandon - Nora Baker
James Spader - Max Baron
Jason Alexander - Neil Horowitz
Kathy Bates - Rosemary Powers
Eileen Brennan - Judy

If only the DVD for White Palace were as good as the film itself. While the picture quality is good, it suffers too often from grain. The disc never has a completely clean look; it's just enough to get by, but nothing more. Sadly, the disc does not use a widescreen transfer. The use of full frame leaves the impression of an R-rated, made-for-TV movie. The sound is also rather uninteresting, but that can be expected. There are no surround effects in the film and the dialogue seems to be firmly rooted in the center. No complaints really, just nothing to get very excited about. Beyond only one soundtrack, in English, subtitles are available in English, French, and Spanish. On Goodtimes titles, extra features are usually sparse and this disc is a perfect example. Nothing. While some of their other discs at least have brief production notes with some interesting information, this one does not. As is the case with all discs from this company, the price is low enough that it's difficult to expect too much. ~ Trent Fordham, All Movie Guide