Suzanne Stewart Movies
Steve Martin produced, wrote, and starred in this modernized adaptation of the George Eliot novel Silas Marner. Martin is miserly small-town hermit Michael McCann, who hoards his wealth in the form of a rare coin collection. When his coins are stolen, McCann is ruined, but then he discovers an abandoned baby girl on his doorstep. Although he doesn't know it, the girl, whom McCann names Mathilda, is the illegitimate daughter of a prominent local politician, John Newland (Gabriel Byrne). Raising Mathilda has a profound effect on McCann, who emerges from his self-imposed exile and becomes an excellent, creative father. Mathilda grows up to be an intelligent, attractive girl, friendly with Newland and his wife (Laura Linney). When the Newlands learn that they cannot have children, John confesses his secret and embarks on a custody battle with McCann to regain guardianship of his daughter. The location of McCann's long-lost coins has a powerful impact on the proceedings, however. A rather dour and downbeat film, A Simple Twist of Fate lacked the charm and whimsy of Martin's earlier literary adaptation, Roxanne, and did not enjoy that film's box office success. ~ Karl Williams, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Steve Martin, Gabriel Byrne, (more)
Composer Richard Parker (Kevin Kline) and his wife Priscilla (Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio) live an ordinary suburban life until they meet their new neighbors Eddy (Kevin Spacey) and Kay (Rebecca Miller). The two couples become friends until some mate-swapping is suggested by the men. The plot takes a nasty turn, however, when Richard sleeps with Kay -- who turns up, the next morning, bludgeoned to death with a baseball bat. Soon, Richard is charged with the crime and must prove his innocence. ~ Linda Rasmussen, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Kevin Kline, Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio, (more)
After getting his big break, an aspiring TV reporter (Terrence 'T.C.' Carson) finds that showbiz ain't all it's cracked up to be. ~ Jason Ankeny, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Terrence "T.C." Carson, Lisa Arrindell, (more)
- 1991
- R
Peter Dexter adapted his National Book Award-winning novel for this probing made-for-cable film featuring Dennis Hopper in the title role as an unrepentant racist in 1949 Georgia. Trout is a greedy and paranoid shopkeeper who murders the sister and mother of a black man who refuses to repay Trout's IOU. When Trout is arrested for the crimes, he can't comprehend why he would be aprehended for his actions. Lawyer Harry Seagraves (Ed Harris) arrives to represent Trout in court, but Seagroves dislikes defending a man whom he feels deserves to be punished. ~ Paul Brenner, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Dennis Hopper, Barbara Hershey, (more)
- 1990
The second In the Line of Duty fact-based TV movie of the 1990-1991 season, In the Line of Duty: Manhunt in the Dakotas stars Michael Gross as an urban FBI agent. His quarry is Gordon Kahl (Rod Steiger), leader of a right-wing extremist movement whose battle against authority has led to murder. Charged with killing two federal marshals, Kahl holes up in the Dakota hills, with his fanatical followers running interference as the feds close in. Though the film takes no sides, it details the sort of financial and social pressures that might bring forth a charismatic madman like Gordon Kahl. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Rod Steiger, Michael Gross, (more)
