Stanley & Iris (1990)
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29% of critics liked it
(14 reviews) -
43% of users liked it
(3,710 ratings)
In this socially conscious drama with romantic overtones, Iris (Jane Fonda) is a working mother with a job at a large commercial bakery who is still getting over the death of her husband, though her circumstances don't give her much time to grieve. She's sharing her house with her two… More In this socially conscious drama with romantic overtones, Iris (Jane Fonda) is a working mother with a job at a large commercial bakery who is still getting over the death of her husband, though her circumstances don't give her much time to grieve. She's sharing her house with her two children, Kelly (Martha Plimpton) and Richard (Harley Cross); her unemployed sister, Sharon (Swoosie Kurtz); and her thuggish brother-in-law. The tensions at home become even greater when the teenaged Kelly announces that she's pregnant. One of the few bright spots in Iris' life is her blossoming friendship with Stanley (Robert De Niro), a nice guy who works in the bakery's cafeteria. However, Iris starts noticing a few odd things about Stanley and it slowly dawns on her that he can't read. When the boss figures this out, Stanley loses his job -- an especially troubling development, as Stanley has just had to put his father in a retirement home. Homeless and out of work, Stanley turns to Iris with a special request -- he'd like her to teach him how to read. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi
- Directed By
- Martin Ritt
- Written By
- Pat Barker, Harriet Frank Jr. / Irving Ravetch
- Genres
- Drama, Romance
PG-13,
- In Theaters
- Feb 9, 1990 Limited
- Studio
- MGM Home Entertainment
Critic Reviews
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Variety Staff, Variety
The elements are in place but they don't add up to great drama in this well-meant effort to personalize the plight of illiterate people.
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Stephen Garrett, Time Out
The ending, despite good intentions, is American cinema at its tackiest and most hollow.
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Vincent Canby, New York Times
It's as honest and direct and entertaining as the considerable talents of everyone involved can make it.
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Rita Kempley, Washington Post
Here, in a movie less animated than a barrel of tree sloths, Ritt encourages stale performances and a pace as dull as more tree sloths.
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Desson Thomson, Washington Post
McAlpine may be the movie's smartest contributor. He alone seems to realize that this pedantic project will soon be graduating into home-video or classroom use.
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
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Cast
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Jane Fonda
as Iris King
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Robert De Niro
as Stanley Everett Cox
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Swoosie Kurtz
as Sharon
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Martha Plimpton
as Kelly King
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Harley Cross
as Richard King
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Jamey Sheridan
as Joe
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Feodor Chaliapin Jr.
as Leonides Cox
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Bob Aaron
as Bakery Foreman
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Conrad Bergschneider
as Apple Picker Foreman
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Michael Blackburn
as Kid
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Katherine Cortez
as Jan
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Loretta Devine
as Bertha
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Dortha Duckworth
as Librarian
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Julie Garfield
as Belinda
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Paul Horruzey
as Kid
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Eddie Jones
as Mr. Hagen
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Kathy Kinney
as Bernice
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Zohra Lampert
as Elaine
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Karen Ludwig
as Melissa
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Laurel Lyle
as Muriel
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Gordon Masten
as Oscar Roebuck
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Gerry Quigley
as Bellhop
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B.J. Reed
as Park Ranger
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Stephen Root
as Mr. Hershey
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Guy Sanvido
as Man in Car
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Fred J. Scollay
as Mr. Delancey
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Mary Testa
as Joanne
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Richard Blackburn
as Park Ranger
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Jack Gill
as Pursenatcher
