Main Cast: Robert Duvall, Aidan Quinn, Frances Fisher, Brian Dennehy, Lexi Randall
Release Year: 1995
Country: US
Run Time: 110 minutes
MPAA Rating: PG
Plot
This character drama follows the exploits of an aged oil seeker, known only as Mr. Cox, as he roams across Texas in search of black gold. He has a special gift for it and has helped many wildcatters strike it rich. Unfortunately, he has yet to find his own gusher. In 1935, Cox has only a suitcase and a cat to his name. During a tremendous windstorm, he is forced to seek shelter in a farmhouse, owned by Don and Cora Day. The Days have three daughters and must scramble to eke out a meager existence on their dusty farm, located near the town of Henrietta. While there, Mr. Cox begins getting that old feeling that tells him that there is a lot of oil on the Day's farm. They think he is plumb loco and ask him to leave, but Cox wants to find out if it is true. He goes to an old friend, Big Dave, who thanks to Cox, has become an oil tycoon, to help him do some test drilling, but Big Dave has a short memory and brushes Cox off as a "hopeless loser." The determined Cox then devises a scheme to force Big Dave to provide him with financial backing. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
Review
Every few years a low-key film emerges in limited release or on cable television that sparks some interest due to its cast, look, or subject matter. The Stars Fell on Henrietta is just such a film. A tale of early 20th century America, Robert Duvall stars as an aging oilman looking for his big strike. He convinces a farm couple, played by Aidan Quinn and Frances Fisher, that there's oil on their land and he's just the guy to help them make their stand against the big oil companies. The plot, while entertaining, is nearly superficial to the settings, costumes, and other accoutrements that make this period picture really succeed. James Keach directs with a soft touch and creates a world that is truly a slice of Americana. Brian Dennehy, Billy Bob Thornton, and Park Overall are some of the more recognizable faces in the supporting cast, but the film really belongs to Duvall, Quinn, and Fisher. Duvall demonstrates yet again how well he works in "small" films and Quinn looks like he could have stepped right out of a history textbook photo. Clint Eastwood is one of the executive producers and it has his fingerprints all over it, kind of a poor man's Western. It's a refreshing change of pace from big-budget extravaganzas and it's not a put-down to call The Stars Fell on Henrietta a nice little movie. ~ Dan Friedman, All Movie Guide
Jack Gammon Taylor, Jr. - Art Director, Steve Railsback - Associate Producer, Phyllis Huffman - Casting, Liz Keigley - Casting, Van Broughton Ramsey - Costume Designer, James Keach - Director, Joel Cox - Editor, David Benoit - Composer (Music Score), John Pritchett - Musical Direction/Supervision, David Benoit - Songwriter, Henry Bumstead - Production Designer, Bruce Surtees - Cinematographer, Clint Eastwood - Producer, David Valdes - Producer, Alan Hicks - Set Designer, Stephen A. Hope - Music Editor, Kevin Bartnof - Foley Artist
