Ironweed (1987)

65% of critics liked it
(20 reviews)
58% of users liked it
(2,513 ratings)

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… More 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, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: R, 2 hr. 15 min.
Directed By: Hector Babenco
Written By: William Kennedy
Genres: Art House & International, Drama

In Theaters: Dec 18, 1987 Wide
On DVD: Feb 24, 2009
Studio: Vestron Video

Critic Reviews

Dave Kehr, Chicago Tribune
Watching "Ironweed" is like having a large, metal object lodged in your brain for 2 1/2 hours. It hurts.
Sheila Benson, Los Angeles Times
The film becomes becalmed and confusing; it lacks the novel's great unwavering trajectory.
Variety Staff, Variety
Unrelentingly bleak, Ironweed is a film without an audience and no reason for being except its own self-importance.
Janet Maslin, New York Times
Despite its nearly two-and-a-half-hour running time, its superstar cast and its $23 million budget, Mr. Babenco's ''Ironweed'' is skeletal, a mere outline of Mr. Kennedy's far more resonant book.
Hal Hinson, Washington Post
Comes about as close to being an unmitigated waste of talent as any movie in recent memory.
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times
Actors are said to like to play drunks, because it gives them an excuse for overacting. But there is not much visible "acting" in this movie; the actors are too good for that.
, Empire Magazine
Good performances, but If you're looking for an uplifting tale of hope against despair, look elsewhere.
, TV Guide's Movie Guide
Dim, grim, and relentlessly depressing.
Bill Gibron, DVDTalk.com
Truth be told, a lot of Ironweed is very hard to take, especially in these equally grim economic times.
Philip Martin, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
...slow and crushing, a heavy film that has a simple plot, a despairing tone and none of the ostentatious "acting" often evinced in Nicholson's later career
Chris Seibold, Filmcritic.com
deftly done
Geoff Andrew, Time Out
At last, a real part for Nicholson to sink his teeth into.
Pablo Villaca, Cinema em Cena
A direção burocrática e auto-indulgente de Babenco e o roteiro sem foco desperdiçam as boas atuações de Nicholson e Streep.
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, Spirituality and Practice
Hector Babenco puts the accent on the story's spiritual dimensions in this screen translation of William Kennedy's Pulitzer Prize-winning novel.
, Film4
The two leads put in startling performances to cut through [the] cynicism, but there's no levity or dramatic peak to elevate you from the misery.

Read all 15 critic reviews

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

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

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Featured Audience Ratings

jay n

Brilliantly acted but profundly sad. A sense of gloom hangs heavily over the entire film.
Dean M

William Kennedy's adaptation of his Pulitzer Prize-winning novel turns into a showcase for Jack Nicholson and Meryl Streep, both playing skid-row alcoholics. Director Hector Babenco superbly captures the grinding, hand-to-mouth dreariness of this Depression era tale, which traces… More
William Kennedy's adaptation of his Pulitzer Prize-winning novel turns into a showcase for Jack Nicholson and Meryl Streep, both playing skid-row alcoholics. Director Hector Babenco superbly captures the grinding, hand-to-mouth dreariness of this Depression era tale, which traces the relationship of opportunity and convenience between the two leads.
Alec B

An utterly heartbreaking film about the people on the very fringe of society in the 1930s. It features one of the best performances Jack Nicholson has ever given. It allows him to have the crazy angry moments he is known for as well as the more subdued that he is also very good at.… More
An utterly heartbreaking film about the people on the very fringe of society in the 1930s. It features one of the best performances Jack Nicholson has ever given. It allows him to have the crazy angry moments he is known for as well as the more subdued that he is also very good at. Meryl Streep is her usual fantastic self here and she makes you cry with just a facial expression. Outside of their performances its a powerful exploration of the fact that "bums" are not just bums. They have stories and lives that are just as important as everyone else. As Nicholson's character says, "Before they were bums they were somebody."
Erin C

I wasn't a fan. The acting was good, but the story was very depressing and a little slow-moving.
Jason R

Probably some of the best acting you will ever see in a film. Meryl Streep and Jack Nicholson were nothing short of magnificent as two troubled lovers and vagrants who live drink-to-drink and pass their time by trying to forget their pasts. The movie also features quite a few actors… More
Probably some of the best acting you will ever see in a film. Meryl Streep and Jack Nicholson were nothing short of magnificent as two troubled lovers and vagrants who live drink-to-drink and pass their time by trying to forget their pasts. The movie also features quite a few actors that give equally impressive performances including, Tom Waits. This movie came out during the height of the Reagan-era where everything was excess and money and for the subject matter and its realistic portrayal of life on the streets from the perspective of two hard-luck bums. You have to respect the filmmakers for making this movie. Because not only is it one of the best movies I have ever seen. It is one of those movies that once you see it, you will never forget it.

Cast

            Jack Nicholson as Francis Phelan

            Meryl Streep as Helen Archer

            Carroll Baker as Annie Phelan

            Michael O'Keefe as Billy Phelan

            Diane Venora as Peg Phelan

            Fred Gwynne as Oscar Reo Singing Bartender

            Margaret Whitton as Katrina

            Tom Waits as Rudy

            Jake Dengel as Pee Wee

            Nathan Lane as Harold Allen

            James Gammon as Rev. Chester

            Hy Anzell as Rosskam Junk Dealer

            Paul A. DiCocco Jr. as Bus Driver

            William Duell as Moose

            James Dukas as Finny

            Laura Esterman as Nora

            Joe Grifasi as Jack

            Richard Hamilton as Donovan

            Bethel Leslie as Librarian

            Ted Levine as Pocono Pete

            Matt McGrath as Goblin

            Jeff Morris as Michigan Mac

            Pamela Payton-Wright as Mother

            Frank Whaley as Young Francis

            Will Zahrn as Rowdy Dick

            Priscilla Caroline Smith as Sandra

            Black-Eyed Susan as Clara

            Nebraska Brace as Andy

            Pat Devane as Nurse

            Ean Ehas as Danny

            Phyllis Guttung as Old Woman

            Cori Irwin as Young Girl

            Robert Manion as Raider

            Boris McGiver as Clerk

            Michael O'Gorman as Strike Leader

            Terry O'Reilly as Aldo Campione

            Lola Pashalinski as Fat Woman with Turkey

            Martin Patterson as Foxy Phil Tooker

            Louise Phillips as Flower Girl

            George Rafferty as Raider

            Marjorie Slocum as Elderly Woman

            Lena Spencer as Slatternly Woman

            Louis St. Louis as Piano Man

            Lois Barden Stilley as Mrs. Dillon

            Jared Swartout as Guard Captain

            Jordan Valdina as Youth at Strike

            James Yoham as Bald Man

            John Wright
            
See full cast

Ironweed (1987)

Critic Reviews

Featured Audience Ratings

jay n

Dean M

Alec B

Erin C

Jason R

Cast

Trailers & Clips