Men Don't Leave (1989)
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81% of critics liked it
(16 reviews) -
56% of users liked it
(479 ratings)
Weighed down by her late husband's debts, widow Beth Macauley (Jessica Lange) is compelled to sell her home and move to a less costly locale. She relocates in Baltimore with her resentful sons Chris (Chris O'Donnell) and Matt (Charlie Korsmo) and takes a job at a ramshackle gourmet food… More Weighed down by her late husband's debts, widow Beth Macauley (Jessica Lange) is compelled to sell her home and move to a less costly locale. She relocates in Baltimore with her resentful sons Chris (Chris O'Donnell) and Matt (Charlie Korsmo) and takes a job at a ramshackle gourmet food store managed by Lisa Coleman (Kathy Bates). Men Don't Leave offers in Beth an extremely vulnerable, easily discouraged person who can't seem to get a grip on her reduced circumstances. Even so, she and her sons eventually pull themselves together, despite many side trips with Wrong Lovers and False Friends. Some of the film's best moments involve Joan Cusack, playing a mixed-up nurse with whom Chris falls in love. Representing the comeback of director Paul Brickman after a seven-year gap, Men Don't Leave is a slightly more upbeat American version of the French film La Vie Continue. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Directed By
- Paul Brickman
- Genres
- Drama, Comedy
PG-13,
- In Theaters
- Jun 15, 1990 Wide
- Studio
- Warner Home Video
Critic Reviews
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Clint Morris, Moviehole
Performances to die for
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Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, Spirituality and Practice
Watching the suffering, growth, and personal renewal of these likeable characters we gain a fresh perspective on our primal feelings about the family circle.
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Nell Minow, Movie Mom at Yahoo! Movies
Unexpectedly vivid; great work by Lange and Cusack.
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Oz, eFilmCritic.com
O'Donnell impresses but, surprisingly enough, Lange drags things down to a place where only a formula finish can end things without the audience throwing fruit.
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James Sanford, Kalamazoo Gazette
One of the most unjustly underappreciated films of the 1990s; wonderfully acted
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)
Featured Audience Ratings
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Cast
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Jessica Lange
as Beth Macauley
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Chris O'Donnell
as Chris Macauley
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Arliss Howard
as Charles Simon
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Kathy Bates
as Lisa Coleman
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Joan Cusack
as Jody
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Charlie Korsmo
as Matt Macauley
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Corey Carrier
as Winston Buckley
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Jim Haynie
as Mr. Buckley
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Belita Moreno
as Mrs. Buckley
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Shannon Moffett
as Dale Buckley
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Lora Zane
as Nina Simon
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Theresa Wozniak
as Female Polka Dancer
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Annabel Armour
as Susan
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Gerry Becker
as Uncle Hugh
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Ernesto D. Borges Jr.
as Officer
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Richard Burton Brown
as Sam Burrows
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Antonio M. Calderon
as Joey
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David Cale
as Fred
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Wanda Christine
as School Teacher
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Kevin Corrigan
as Mike
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William De Acutis
as Mark
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Deanna Dunagan
as Fay
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Zaid Farid
as Store Clerk
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Stacey Guastaferro
as Julia
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Mark Hardwick
as Ian
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Tom Irwin
as Gary
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Rosemary Knower
as Nurse
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Eddie Korosa
as Polka Band Leader
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Tom Mason
as John Macauley
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Ann McDonough
as Female Customer
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Chuck McLennan
as Lottery Announcer
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Stesha Merle
as Girl Student
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Brad Michael Gilbert
as Adult Film Star
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Jane Morris
as Laura
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Dick Sasso
as Lottery Winner
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Mary Seibel
as Real Estate Agent
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Seka
as Adult Film Star
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Constance Shulman
as Carly
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Tanl
as Adult Film Star
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Tom Towles
as Evan Taylor
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Sandra V. Watters
as Bureaucrat
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Alan J. Wendl
as Typewriter
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Richard Wharton
as Nick
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Ricardo de Angelis
as Tailor
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Peter Miller
as Chris' friend
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Rick Rubin
as Craig
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Robert D. North
as Moving Man
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Jesse James
as Blues Artist
- Jesse James (II)
