Ironweed (1987)
- Starring:
- Jack Nicholson, Meryl Streep, (more)
- Director(s):
- Hector Babenco
- Theatrical MPAA Rating:
- R
- Category:
- Drama
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Based on the William Kennedy novel of the same name Ironweed is set in the waning years of the Depression. Jack Nicholson plays Francis Phelan, a washed-up ballplayer (a onetime infielder for the Washington Senators) who deserted his family back in the 1910s when he accidentally killed his infant son by dropping him. Since that time, Phelan has been a shabby barfly, living from drink to drink; he spends his days palling around with Rudy (Tom Waits), with whom he works a motley series of jobs in exchange for a place to lay his head and an occasional jug of wine. Wandering into his hometown of Albany, New York, Phelan blearily seeks out his girlfriend and erstwhile drinking companion of nine years, Helen Archer (Meryl Streep), who has begun prostituting herself for drink and lodging. The two derelicts touch base in a mission managed by minister James Gammon, and later in Fred Gwynne's squalid gin mill. Over the next few days, Phelan takes a few minor jobs to support his habit, while his mind wavers between past and present. Eventually, a chance for a reconciliation with his wife (Carroll Baker) emerges. Directed by Hector Babenco following his enormous success with Kiss of the Spider Woman , Ironweed netted Oscar nominations for Nicholson and Streep. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Theatrical Feature Running Time:
- 143 mins
Complete Cast:
- Jack Nicholson - Francis Phelan
- Carroll Baker - Annie Phelan
- Diane Venora - Peg Phelan
- Margaret Whitton - Katrina
- Jake Dengel - Pee Wee
- James Gammon - Rev. Chester
- William Duell - Moose
- Bethel Leslie - Librarian
- James Yoham - Bald Man
- Joe Grifasi - Jack
- Lois Barden Stilley - Mrs. Dillon
- Louise Phillips - Flower Girl
- Jared Swartout - Guard Captain
- Lena Spencer - Slatternly Woman
- Louis St. Louis - Piano Man
- Nebraska Brace - Andy
- Jeff Morris - Michigan Mac
- Frank Whaley - Young Francis
- Ean Ehas - Danny
- Boris McGiver - Clerk
- Marjorie Slocum - Elderly Woman
- Paul A. DiCocco, Jr. - Bus Driver
- Ted Levine - Pocono Pete
- Priscilla Caroline Smith - Sandra
- Meryl Streep - Helen Archer
- Michael O'Keefe - Billy Phelan
- Fred Gwynne - Oscar Reo, Singing Bartender
- Tom Waits - Rudy
- Nathan Lane - Harold Allen
- Martin Patterson - Foxy Phil Tooker
- Richard Hamilton - Donovan
- Black-Eyed Susan - Clara
- Will Zahrn - Rowdy Dick
- George Rafferty - Raider
- Pat Devane - Nurse
- Matt McGrath - Goblin
- Terry O'Reilly - Aldo Campione
- James Dukas - Finny
- Phyllis Guttung - Old Woman
- Michael O'Gorman - Strike Leader
- Hy Anzell - Rosskam, Junk Dealer
- Cori Irwin - Young Girl
- Lola Pashalinski - Fat Woman with Turkey
- Laura Esterman - Nora
- Robert Manion - Raider
- Jordan Valdina - Youth at Strike
- Pamela Payton-Wright - Mother
- Director(s):
- Hector Babenco
- Writer(s):
- William Kennedy, Tom Benedek
- Producer(s):
- Joseph H. Kanter, Marcia Nasatir, Keith Barish
- Theatrical MPAA Rating:
- R(Brief Nudity, Adult Situations, Substance Abuse, Not For Children, Nudity, Adult Language, Violence)
- Categories:
- Drama
- Closed Captioning:
- Check All Versions
- Subtitles:
- Check All Versions
- 1986 - Ironweed - Los Angeles Film Critics Association - Best Actor
- 1987 - Ironweed - New York Film Critics Circle - Best Actor
