Marvin's Room (1996)

81% of critics liked it
(48 reviews)
58% of users liked it
(20,119 ratings)

Two sisters try to set their familial differences aside -- one in hopes of saving her own life -- in this drama with comic accents. Bessie (Diane Keaton) has lived in Florida for the past 20 years, where she's been caring for her chronically ill father Marvin (Hume Cronyn) and her Aunt Ruth (Gwen… More Two sisters try to set their familial differences aside -- one in hopes of saving her own life -- in this drama with comic accents. Bessie (Diane Keaton) has lived in Florida for the past 20 years, where she's been caring for her chronically ill father Marvin (Hume Cronyn) and her Aunt Ruth (Gwen Verdon), who does not seem well aquatinted with reality. While Bessie's life has not been easy, she feels that it's rewarding in its way, and she's come to love her father very much. However, when Bessie is diagnosed with cancer, she's told that the only treatment likely to save her would be a bone marrow transplant from a close relative -- which leads Bessie to contact her sister Lee (Meryl Streep) for the first time since their father fell ill. Bessie and Lee have a number of issues with each other that they've never resolved, many concerning their responses to Marvin's illness (Bessie rushed to his side, while Lee preferred to stay away), and Lee's own life has been difficult. She's gotten herself out of a bad marriage, has only recently started supporting herself as a beautician, and has to raise two kids on her own. Ten-year-old Charlie (Hal Scardino) tries to simply ignore the chaos going on all round him, while Hank (Leonardo DiCaprio), a troubled 17-year-old, was recently institutionalized after burning down the family's home. As the straight-laced Bessie and the earthy Lee reestablish contact after two decades, they discover just how much emotional ground they have to cover before they can meet on common ground. Robert De Niro appears in a supporting role as Dr. Wally, Bessie's physician. Marvin's Room was based on the stage drama by Scott McPherson, which opened in 1990; McPherson himself was critically ill at the time -- he died two years later from complications relating to AIDS. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: PG-13, 1 hr. 38 min.
Directed By: Jerry Zaks
Genres: Drama

In Theaters: Dec 20, 1996 Wide
On DVD: Jan 15, 2002
Studio: Miramax Films

Critic Reviews

Lisa Alspector, Chicago Reader
The performances are overwhelmed by cinematography so gorgeous and distracting it makes the drama seem like just so much wheel spinning.
Eric Brace, Washington Post
It's all plinky-plink pianos and mewing oboes, trying to jerk those tears a little too hard. No, a lot too hard. The music is awful. Stupendously bad.
Emanuel Levy, Variety
Based on a play by Scott McPherson's who died of AIDS, it's impossible to watch the well-acted film (particularly Diane Keaton, who should get an Oscar nod) without thinking of its themees: the various approaches to love and the strength of family bonds
Janet Maslin, New York Times
Powerhouse casting and a heartbreaking history make the screen version of Marvin's Room more memorable than it otherwise would be.
Edward Guthmann, San Francisco Chronicle
Any movie with Meryl Streep is an occasion, but when you add Diane Keaton, Robert De Niro, Leonardo DiCaprio, Hume Cronyn and Gwen Verdon, you've got an embarrassment of riches.
Kenneth Turan, Los Angeles Times
There is a core of substance in Marvin's Room, and persuasive acting to back it up. Which makes it a special pity that the filmmakers didn't trust viewers to have the necessary intelligence to figure that out for themselves.
, TV Guide's Movie Guide
Keaton is given a rare opportunity here to remind us that she's not simply a fine comedienne, and she's marvelous.
, Film4
At times attractive, at other times dull.
Wally Hammond, Time Out
Streep gives her most credible blue-collar performance to date; Keaton sidesteps saintliness to mix vulnerability and small heroics.
Robin Clifford, Reeling Reviews
Its an actor's/writer's movie, but, oh, what acting and writing
Steve Crum, Kansas City Kansan
Slow, depressing family drama finely acted
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, Spirituality and Practice
Zany and emotionally-affecting story about death, aging parents, reconciliation, and the healing power of selfless love.
Christopher Null, Filmcritic.com
Family angst and reconciliation... bleargh.

Read all 13 critic reviews

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

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

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

AJ V

This is another movie I had to watch for a class, and now I barely remember it. All I remember is everyone loving Leo, and thinking to myself how boring the movie was.
Conner R

While it is horrible story, the acting makes this movie quite entertaining. Leonardo DiCaprio, Robert De Niro and Meryl Streep gave some great performances that nearly overshadow Diane Keaton's horrible one. It was an obvious sap story that fails to produce any empathy for the… More
While it is horrible story, the acting makes this movie quite entertaining. Leonardo DiCaprio, Robert De Niro and Meryl Streep gave some great performances that nearly overshadow Diane Keaton's horrible one. It was an obvious sap story that fails to produce any empathy for the character in trouble.
Lady D

I was pleasantly surprised and impressed with this film on a few different levels. Firstly great acting all around, the main topic of illness, was dealt with very well, plus Dicaprio's character behaviour problems were captured in a way I have never seen before and was very… More
I was pleasantly surprised and impressed with this film on a few different levels. Firstly great acting all around, the main topic of illness, was dealt with very well, plus Dicaprio's character behaviour problems were captured in a way I have never seen before and was very realistic.
Candy R

Movie about two sisters who do not get along and have not seen each other in 20 years. Diane's character is ill and so Meryl's character goes to visit her with her two sons. The ill sister had been caring for their elderly dad and aunt for many years and had not lived her… More
Movie about two sisters who do not get along and have not seen each other in 20 years. Diane's character is ill and so Meryl's character goes to visit her with her two sons. The ill sister had been caring for their elderly dad and aunt for many years and had not lived her own life. Leo's performance is brilliant as the troubled wayward son who sets fire to the house and ends up in a mental institution. Leo does seem to be good at playing mental patients.
Michael G

i remember this being a really good movie and as usual, Meryl Streep was amazing.
Dean M

Not bad family story, but Keaton, Streep and DiCaprio are so good.
Cameron J

"Marvin's Room" is slow and unengaging, but has a good story and solid acting, notably from DiCaprio (I know, who would have guessed?) to make it a decent watch.
Mike T

An absolutely amazing cast is unable to bring this movie to greatness. Very good - often touching and moving, but the screenplay has a rough journey transitioning from the play. The movie doesn't suffer an enormous amount as a result, but it doesn't accomplish anything… More
An absolutely amazing cast is unable to bring this movie to greatness. Very good - often touching and moving, but the screenplay has a rough journey transitioning from the play. The movie doesn't suffer an enormous amount as a result, but it doesn't accomplish anything spectacular. The acting is phenomenal, the story is interesting... but the script just can't hold it together.
Sunil J

Simple movie but sweet with some really great performances by some really talented actors.
Audrey L

An excellent movie with great performances from Keaton,Streep and DiCaprio.
Sarah B

Leo DiCaprio on top form with an all-star cast.
Linda K

Get your kleenex!
Robert F

Quirky, but depressing. It had some great lines.
Haley A

This is an overall great movie.

Read all 14 featured audience ratings

Cast

Meryl Streep
as Lee
Leonardo DiCaprio
as Hank
Diane Keaton
as Bessie

Robert De Niro
as Dr. Wally
Hume Cronyn
as Marvin
Gwen Verdon
as Ruth

See full cast