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Barbara Howard, Corey Parker, Eileen Brennan

Glenn Savan's depressing and self-loathing novel about a 27-year-old upper-class Jewish widower mired in self-pity after his beloved wife dies, and who finds love and sexual rebirth with a trailer-tra...( read more  read more... )sh older woman, was brought to the big screen by the competent director Luis Mandoki (When a Man Loves a Woman, Message in a Bottle). But the savage irony in Savan's book has been face-lifted by screenwriters Ted Tally (The Silence of the Lambs) and Alvin Sargent (Ordinary People) into something else entirely: what passes for low-rent "slumming" in Hollywood means hiring sexy Susan Sarandon to play Nora Baker, the poor, uneducated 43-year-old waitress in a White Palace burger joint who strikes up an unlikely relationship with sad Max Baron (James Spader). Widower Max attends a bachelor party for best pal Neil (Jason Alexander) and discovers that the local White Palace has stiffed the boys a whopping six burgers. Max barges into the joint, bent on getting his money back, and meets a testy Nora, who is bemused at the young man's insolence. While driving home, Max stops abruptly at a bar for a drink. Inside, Nora is nursing a vodka and takes a shine to the tuxedo-clad, handsome, and morose younger man. He gives her a lift, she seduces him, and the rest of the movie examines how two such opposites in manners and morals can find happiness. The only common bond they have is great sex and a private tragedy. White Palace nudges at the dark journey and the smashing of illusion that was at the heart of the novel, but there is still a fairy-tale element to the film that negates the earthy essence that distinguished the book. In Mandoki's vision, White Palace is about overcoming class, family, and outside opinion to find true love. In Savan's book, Max wastes into decline while Nora ultimately thrives in the quest for truth, redemption, and self-forgiveness. She becomes his salvation only after he stops hating himself. But mainstream Hollywood shuns making "protagonists" so mad, bad, or sad, and as such, too much glitter is tossed on Spader, while Sarandon, as usual, is the only one who seems to embody and understand her character's angst. She deserved her Oscar for Nora, not the nun in Dead Man Walking. --Paula Nechak

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65% liked it

3,846 ratings

R, 103 min.

Directed by: Luis Mandoki

Release Date: October 19, 1990

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DVD Release Date: January 15, 1999

Stats: 165 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (165)

  • binky013
    December 30, 2006
    binky013
    First off, for all you flixsters who live in the Seattle area, I gotta envy you all being able to read Paula Nechak movie reviews all the time. Team flixster scoring her reviews is wonderful. I've read many synopses on this site, but I have to say that this one about White P...( read more)alace is the most interesting one I've ever run across.


    I definitely agree with Nechak's assessment of the fairytale element of this movie. It's hard to imagine this pair making a permanent match. But it's Hollywood, baby, so what happens . . . happens.


    Had to add Sarandon to my favorite actor list right away. Stunning. She always is; she should have been on my list earlier. Eileen Brennan, in a small role, is mesmerizing. Not to mention that this was Spader when he had his stuff. A great movie, especially thanks to Susan Sarandon. Definitely, as Nechak says, Oscar-worthy work. Reminds me so much of Atlantic City.
  • MightySparks
    January 31, 2009
    MightySparks
    Firstly I will say that I wouldn't have heard or watched this had James Spader not been in it. And I'm pretty biased with Spader movies, because he's James Spader. So that's why it has such a high rating.

    Romance in any form (except gay romance!) bores the hell out of me, and ...( read more)I never go anywhere near it. I don't like Susan Sarandon either. But, I figured it's got James Spader in it, so even if it's boring as hell, there's James Spader.

    So, the plot isn't interesting to me, and honestly the whole movie was pretty lame, but as I keep saying: JAMES SPADER. I don't really know what to say about it, but it probably isn't worth watching unless you're majorly obsessed with James Spader like I am.
  • ileo
    April 16, 2007
    ileo
    Love this movie!
  • Ziroana
    November 21, 2009
    Ziroana
    nice movie! :D the script had some awesome moments, dude
  • dukeakasmudge
    November 14, 2009
    dukeakasmudge
    Not bad, Not bad at all
  • kvaughtster
    July 12, 2009
    kvaughtster
    I love this movie! It is very sweet and romantic. It is also very interesting and funny.
  • bucusuz
    April 18, 2009
    bucusuz
    James Spader olmasaydi izlemezdim heralde. aylavyuceyms.
  • NURFAZLIWATI
    February 19, 2009
    NURFAZLIWATI
    The most controversial movie ever!Susan sarandon and James spader did well in this movie.This movie shows an unexpected consequences, when a middle-aged low-class woman seduced a young handsome man with a good career but soon fall deeply in love with each other.This story tells u...( read more)s how love can change someone to a totally different person.The truest love story ever!
  • perfectgentlemn
    August 27, 2008
    perfectgentlemn
    Loved It, Spader is excellent. Susan is Sexy... Great Movie. ;-) Must See... Enjoy.
  • JaredsBaby
    June 15, 2008
    JaredsBaby
    Wasn't too sure of these two pairing up together in a romantic movie....but it turned out to be a great movie to watch.....love james spader

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  • perfectgentlemn
    August 27, 2008
    perfectgentlemn
    Loved It, Spader is excellent. Susan is Sexy... Great Movie. ;-) Must See... Enjoy.
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White Palace Trivia

  • Who connects: Senior Trip, White Palace, For Goodness sake, Coneheads, The Paper, North, Blankman, Jingle Bells, Odessa or Bust ?  Answer »
  • Did Betty White played Rose Nylund on (Golden Girls) four different shows: "Empty Nest" (1988), "Nurses" (1991), "The Golden Girls" (1985) and "The Golden Palace" (1992)   Answer »
  • I starred in "Secretary","White palace" and "Sex,lies and videotape".  Answer »
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