Guinevere (1999)
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86% of critics liked it
(35 reviews) -
46% of users liked it
(1,540 ratings)
Writer Audrey Wells (The Truth About Cats and Dogs) makes her directing debut in Guinevere, which won the screenwriting award at the 1999 Sundance Film Festival, where it made its world premiere. The film concerns Harper Sloane, a twenty-something upper class pre-law student who falls for Connie, a… More Writer Audrey Wells (The Truth About Cats and Dogs) makes her directing debut in Guinevere, which won the screenwriting award at the 1999 Sundance Film Festival, where it made its world premiere. The film concerns Harper Sloane, a twenty-something upper class pre-law student who falls for Connie, a bohemian photographer 30 years her senior. Shy, waifish, and camera shy, Harper feels her life is mapped out for her, coming from a long line of successful, Harvard-educated lawyers living in San Francisco. At her older sister's wedding, Harper meets Connie, who photographs her privately. When he shows her the photos, Harper (whom Connie refers to only as Guinevere) is intrigued, and a passionate romance and sexual attraction begins. Harper moves in with Connie to become his student, against her mother's wishes. Harper also learns that she isn't Connie's first Guinevere; in fact, there have been a half-dozen others, all of whom have remained friends. As the relationship takes its ups and downs, Harper comes out of her shell to become a stronger woman, more in control of her life and destiny than she would have ever dreamed possible. As Connie slowly dies from poverty and alcoholism, all of his Guineveres, including Harper, come together to remember (and drink to) his work and his life. ~ Arthur Borman, Rovi
- Directed By
- Audrey Wells, Gedde Watanabe
- Written By
- Audrey Wells
- Genres
- Drama, Romance, Comedy
- In Theaters
- Sep 24, 1999 Wide
- On DVD
- Mar 14, 2000
- Studio
- Miramax
Critic Reviews
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Jeffrey M. Anderson, Combustible Celluloid
Gives us a working relationship in progress rather than the usual Hollywood sitcom.
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Philip Martin, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
...a story about bad love - and how, sometimes, that is exactly what we needed at the time.
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James Sanford, Kalamazoo Gazette
Polley immediately zeroes on Harper's insecurities and quiet fears and brings them delicately to the surface.
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Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, Spirituality and Practice
A thematically rich exploration of a May-December relationship.
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Michael W. Phillips, Jr., Goatdog's Movies
I admire the filmmakers because they steadfastly refused to tack on a Hollywood ending.
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
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Cast
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Stephen Rea
as Connie Fitzpatrick
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Sarah Polley
as Harper Sloane
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Jean Smart
as Deborah Sloane
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Gina Gershon
as Billie
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Paul Dooley
as Walter
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Francis Guinan
as Alan Sloane
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Jasmine Guy
as Linda
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Tracy Letts
as Zack
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Sandra Oh
as Cindy
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Carrie Preston
as Patty
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Emily Procter
as Susan Sloane
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Grace Una
as April
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Gedde Watanabe
as Ed
- Carlton Wilborn
- Sharon McNight