This article is about the 1992 motion picture. For other uses, see
Love Field.
Love Field (1992) is an American independent drama film written by Don Roos and directed by Jonathan Kaplan, starring Michelle Pfeiffer and Dennis Haysbert. It was released on December 11, 1992 in the United States by Orion Pictures.[1]
The film was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role (Michelle Pfeiffer).
Plot
In 1963, Dallas housewife Lurene Hallett (Michelle Pfeiffer) is obsessed with First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy. Knowing that President John F. Kennedy and his wife will be visiting Dallas, she goes to try and catch a glimpse of the couple. Driving away a few hours later, she notices a quiet chaos developing, and discovers that the President has been assassinated. Ignoring her overbearing husband Ray (Brian Kerwin), she travels by bus to attend the funeral in Washington. During her journey, she befriends Jonell (Stephanie McFadden), the young black daughter of Paul Cater (Dennis Haysbert). Sensing something is wrong, her well-intentioned interference leads them on an increasingly difficult road trip across America with both the police and Ray in pursuit.
Cast
Production
Love Field was partially filmed on location in North Carolina, USA.[2]
Denzel Washington was attached to the role of Paul Cater, but was replaced by Dennis Haysbert just before filming commenced.[3]
The character of Lurene Hallett was based upon screenwriter Don Roos's own mother.[3]
Release
Although Love Field was made in 1990, Orion Pictures suffered crippling financial losses and filed for bankruptcy. It wasn't until December 1992 that Love Field was released, in time for Oscar consideration.[3]
Reception
Love Field was released on December 11, 1992, and grossed $1,949,148 in the USA.[4] It currently holds a rating of 56% on Rotten Tomatoes, indicating mixed reviews.[5]
Janet Maslin in the New York Times wrote: "This modest film actually covers a lot of ground... Love Field brings remarkably few preconceptions to the telling of its understated story. The characters transcend stereotypes, but what really matters is the actors' ability to breathe these people to life."[6] Time Out was similarly positive, writing: "This affecting romantic comedy probes the gradations of racial prejudice still prevalent in the South despite JFK's best efforts... unaccountably denied a theatrical release in Britain, this is a most impressive and enjoyable work."[7] On the negative side, Variety described it as "a sincere, not fully realized 1960s drama that is yet another variation on the 'Where were you when you heard JFK was shot?' theme."[8] Hal Hinson in the Washington Post thought that "the interracial love affair that develops between this oddly matched pair never makes much sense."[9] Roger Ebert in the Chicago Sun-Times wrote that "the essential truth of the characters was being undercut by all the manufactured gimmicks of the plot."[10]
Critical consensus held that the primary reason to see the film was the Oscar-nominated performance of Michelle Pfeiffer. The New York Times wrote that a "character this flamboyant would risk sinking any film. But Ms. Pfeiffer, again demonstrating that she is as subtle and surprising as she is beautiful, plays Lurene with remarkable grace."[6] The Washington Post called the characterization "a marvel, but by now that is only to be expected. Watching her [Pfeiffer] discover new facets of her talent is one of the real pleasures of going to the movies these days. Done up with a '60s platinum bouffant and butterfly fake eyelashes, Pfeiffer plays Lurene as a big-hearted, motor-mouth ditz. But, even in the movie's earliest scenes, Pfeiffer suggests that Lurene has hidden depth; not unrevealed smarts, really, but innate decency and guilelessness... She's fully alive up there on the screen: a grounded angel, tarnished, funny and exquisitely soulful, even when the movie is dead."[9] Desson Howe wrote: "there is strong reason to watch Love Field simply for Pfeiffer. As the nobly oppressed father (a sort of clichéd, Sidney Poitier role), Haysbert is respectable and doe-eyed McFadden makes a fetching innocent. But Pfeiffer is the movie's sole engine. Tucking away her gratuitous beauty behind pancake makeup and that blonde hay-er, she's in effortless, sassy command."[11] Peter Travers in Rolling Stone was of the opinion that "Pfeiffer overcomes the poky direction of Jonathan Kaplan (The Accused) and the unfocused script by Don Roos (of Single White Female infamy). She weaves magic in a portrayal of striking grace notes... long after Love Field hits a dead end, Pfeiffer cuts a path to the heart."[12] Time Out called it a "marvellously touching, funny and credible performance,"[7] while for Variety it was "yet another memorable characterization."[8] Roger Ebert congratulated her for a performance "which takes a woman who could have become a comic target and invests her with a certain dignity."[10] Stephen Farber in Movieline wrote: "As Lurene Hallett, a dreamy beautician obsessed with Jackie Kennedy, Pfeiffer confirms her growing range and power. Her skill with accents is beginning to rival Meryl Streep's, but even more impressive than her technical virtuosity is her emotional depth; she highlights the childlike romanticism and generosity of this simple woman."[13]
Awards and nominations
For her performance, Michelle Pfeiffer won the Silver Bear for Best Actress at the Berlin International Film Festival, and was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actress and the Golden Globe Award for Best Actress - Motion Picture Drama, both of which went to Emma Thompson for Howards End.[14]
Jonathan Kaplan was nominated for the Golden Bear.[14]
References
- ^ "Love Field (1992) - Release dates". imdb.com. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0104765/releaseinfo. Retrieved 2009-11-18.
- ^ "Love Field (1992) - Filming locations". imdb.com. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0104765/locations. Retrieved 2009-11-18.
- ^ a b c "Love Field (1992) - Trivia". imdb.com. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0104765/trivia. Retrieved 2009-11-18.
- ^ "Love Field (1992) - Box office/business". imdb.com. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0104765/business. Retrieved 2009-11-18.
- ^ "Love Field Movie Reviews, Pictures - Rotten Tomatoes". uk.rottentomatoes.com. http://uk.rottentomatoes.com/m/love_field/. Retrieved 2009-11-18.
- ^ a b Maslin, Janet (December 11, 1992). "Movie Review - Love Field - Michelle Pfeiffer in a Tale of a 1960s Interracial Friendship". movies.nytimes.com. http://movies.nytimes.com/movie/review?_r=1&res=9E0CE4DD1431F932A25751C1A964958260&partner=Rotten%20Tomatoes.
- ^ a b "Love Field Review - Film - Time Out London". timeout.com. http://www.timeout.com/film/reviews/80785/love_field.html. Retrieved 2009-11-18.
- ^ a b "Love Field Review". variety.com. http://www.variety.com/review/VE1117792770.html?categoryid=31&cs=1. Retrieved 2009-11-18.
- ^ a b Hinson, Hal (February 12, 1993). "'Love Field' (PG-13)". washingtonpost.com. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/style/longterm/movies/videos/lovefieldpg13hinson_a0a7e8.htm.
- ^ a b Ebert, Roger (February 12, 1993). "Love Field :: rogerebert.com :: Reviews". rogerebert.suntimes.com. http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/19930212/REVIEWS/302120304/1023.
- ^ Howe, Desson (February 12, 1993). "'Love Field' (PG-13)". washingtonpost.com. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/style/longterm/movies/videos/lovefieldpg13howe_a0af6b.htm.
- ^ Travers, Peter. "Love Field : Review : Rolling Stone". rollingstone.com. http://www.rollingstone.com/reviews/movie/5947455/review/5947456/love_field. Retrieved 2009-11-18.
- ^ Farber, Stephen. "Review: Love Field". movieline.standard8media.com. http://movieline.standard8media.com/reviews/lovefield.shtml. Retrieved 2009-11-18.
- ^ a b "Love Field (1992) - Awards". imdb.com. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0104765/awards. Retrieved 2009-11-18.
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