Inventing the Abbotts (1997)

31% of critics liked it
(26 reviews)
54% of users liked it
(9,466 ratings)

The lives of two closely linked, small town Illinois families dangerously intersect in this domestic drama set in the 1950s, based on a short story by Sue Miller and directed by Pat O'Connor. Though they are from the wrong side of the tracks, the working class brothers Jacey (Billy Crudup) and Doug… More The lives of two closely linked, small town Illinois families dangerously intersect in this domestic drama set in the 1950s, based on a short story by Sue Miller and directed by Pat O'Connor. Though they are from the wrong side of the tracks, the working class brothers Jacey (Billy Crudup) and Doug Holt (Joaquin Phoenix) are in love with the wealthy and beautiful Abbott sisters. Shy and quiet Doug, who worships his womanizing brother, has eyes for the iconoclastic Pam (Liv Tyler), but Jacey's affections are more calculating; he's interested in whichever Abbott sister is interested in him. At first, this is Eleanor (Jennifer Connelly), the "wild" sister, but eventually Jacey sets his sights on the divorced oldest sister, Alice (Joanna Going). For Jacey, his conquest of the Abbotts is a form of economic revenge, as he believes that the head of the family, Lloyd (Will Patton), stole a patent that made him rich from the Holts' late father. When he's eventually revealed as an embittered cad, Jacey's mistreatment of the Abbott girls makes the genuine affection between Doug and Pam impossible for either family to accept. ~ Karl Williams, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 50 min.
Directed By: Pat O'Connor
Written By: Ken Hixon
Genres: Drama, Romance

In Theaters: Apr 4, 1997 Wide
On DVD: Mar 13, 2001
Studio: Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment

Critic Reviews

Emanuel Levy, Variety
Cast of newcomers is appealing, but this small-town melodrama is so old-fashioned and out-of-touch with contemporary youth that it feels as if it were made the same time that its story is set, in 1957.
Judith Egerton, Courier-Journal (Louisville, KY)
In the end, it adds up to nothing more than a humorless, forgettable nostalgia piece with carefully re-created costumes and settings from the Eisenhower years.
Michael Dequina, TheMovieReport.com
If looked at in the right perspective, as a soap and not as the serious drama it pretends to be, this is quite diverting, if emotionally hollow, melodrama.
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, Spirituality and Practice
Offers an inventive and engaging exploration of emotional intelligence.
James Kendrick, Q Network Film Desk
It is rare to find a film that treats teenagers and young adults as real people who think for themselves, and own up to their mistakes

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Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

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Featured Audience Ratings

Nicki M

I can remember watching this one a few years back and really being not impressed. However, I really couldn't remember a lot about it, so when I saw this as a free rental, decided I wound give it another go. I have to say it was nowhere near as bad as I remembered. It is a fairly… More
I can remember watching this one a few years back and really being not impressed. However, I really couldn't remember a lot about it, so when I saw this as a free rental, decided I wound give it another go. I have to say it was nowhere near as bad as I remembered. It is a fairly subdued film, no one in it is terribly happy and added to that, it is set in the 50's. Not a great time for women, I would say. No wonder the 3 Abbott girls have issues! Liv Tyler is pleasant here, where Jennifer Connelly I found a little less so, but really she is not in it enough to matter. She's not awful, but I just don't buy her as that character. Joaquin Phoenix was the real surprise here. I am not generally a fan, but he nails it here. Quite compelling. I am thinking I will check out some other films he is in. Overall not one I would recommend chasing down, but not bad, and possibly just perfect viewing on an insomnia night, as it was for me, if you happen to catch it on tv.
Anthony L

Not a bad film, not really my cuppa tea but I kept watching so it can?t be that bad I guess!
Curtis L

Joaquin Phoenix and Liv Tyler play excellent children.
jay n

Some good acting but too slow paced to really be involving. Crudup's character is an absolute slimeball so it's hard to care anything for him.
Quinto W

Sweet and nicely performed; doesn't run as deep as it think it does but there are more elements compensating for that. I actually didn't enjoy the film the first time around and it took a little thinking about it for a few days to appreciate it.
Leo L

Love this film! Still a favorite.
Haley A

Phoenix and Tyler are awesome.