Director Diane Keaton brings a tender touch to Wildflower, a Lifetime cable-TV movie showcasing early-career excellence from Reese Witherspoon and Patricia Arquette. Witherspoon's big-screen debut in The Man in the Moon ha... more »d premiered shortly before this movie's original broadcast in 1991, and a year earlier, Arquette had starred in a Keaton-directed CBS Schoolbreak Special, The Boy with the Crazy Brother. These rising talents are well served by Sara Flanigan's teleplay, closely adapted from her popular juvenile novel Alice. Set in the mid-1930s, the story follows two compassionate teens (Witherspoon, William McNamara) who discover and essentially adopt a partially deaf epileptic (Arquette) who'd been locked away by her psychotically abusive father. Beau Bridges and Susan Blakely provide different parental perspectives, and while Keaton doesn't always avoid Flanigan's tear-jerking sentiment, she handles it with delicate grace. Aiding her are a gifted cast and the fine cinematography of Janusz Kaminski, who would soon begin an enduring collaboration with Steven Spielberg. --Jeff Shannon« less
Many people seem to like this one alot with a young Reese Weatherspoon but it was not our cup of tea.
Movie Reviews
A heart-warming tale....
jakobee | UK | 11/25/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Well, I first saw this movie on TV when I was a little girl... it made such an impact on me that I checked the TV Guide for years to come waiting for it to be shown again. Finally, about 5 years later, it was and I managed to get it taped on VHS. This week, 10 years after I first saw it, I now have the DVD.
I love this absorbing film with the old-fashioned story-telling and the way the movie un-folds. We watch the characters develop as they grow within themselves (the acting is absolutely superb by everyone). There is a lot to learn from this story - which is a heart-warming gentle story about love, passion, friendship and family. There are a lot of sad moments yet this film also makes you laugh out loud at times too. This film is quite powerful in a naive sort of way. The ending is satisfying and you feel like you have also grown-up with the characters - in this romantic adventure of human spirit. A family film mainly directed towards girls - it'll make you want to go and hug your loved ones when you've finished watching it! I even love the music to this film and wish they would release the entire motion picture soundtrack on CD. Fantastic! Go watch it (especially if you're young at heart).....this is a truely lovely story that deserves more credit than a TV film."
Reese and Patricia, and how
Jack L. Walker | Mishawaka, IN United States | 02/22/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"There were a couple of aspects of this movie that were a little too neat and packaged, like how Reese'es character's dad changes overnight and such. But I have to say that this movie was riveting to me. I have never before seen Patricia Arquette and I was just astounded. Her performance is absolutely superb. To me, a book or movie is great, when I literally feel like I have become a person in the story, and feel everything that person feels. That is why this movie is so great. Patricia's character is that person in this movie, at least to me. I am an absolute fan of Reese Witherspoon, so I couldn't be too objective as I love everything about her and she is great in this movie as always. Her character really shows the love of a true friend to the abused girl. I cannot imagine anyone watching this movie and not enjoying it. It is a truly heartwarming story. I will watch it again and again. If you like it, check out "The Man in the Moon.""
WOW-Gotta see this film! You'll never forget it....
Jack L. Walker | 02/01/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This movie is so dramatic and moving. The rollercoaster of emotions that you experience while watching this film is AMAZING!
My children 6 and 4 learned so much about lifes cruelties and blessings. They also learned about peoples differences and sharing them NOT hurting them. This movie just WOW's me every time. It is an AMERICAN CLASSIC in my book."
Can I give this film 6 stars??!!
J. Decastro | California | 08/08/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I have always thought of Diane Keaton as one of the best actresses out there, but her talents are also in directing. The movie was touching... and amazing performances by Reese Withersoon, Beau Bridges and Patricia Arquette. I highly recommend this movie. I bought the movie here on Amazon because it is not at any of the video stores in my area... what a shame."