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Movies / On DVD / Marvin's Room
Marvin's Room

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Marvin's Room (1996)

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Reviews Counted:46

Fresh:37

Rotten:9

Average Rating:6.7/10

Runtime: 1 hr 46 mins

Genre: Dramas

Synopsis: Upon receiving a call from her leukemia-stricken sister after not speaking with her for two decades, a devil-may-care single mother packs up her two sons--one, a rebellious teen who has spent time... Upon receiving a call from her leukemia-stricken sister after not speaking with her for two decades, a devil-may-care single mother packs up her two sons--one, a rebellious teen who has spent time in a mental institution--and heads to Florida to reunite with her ailing sibling and their bedridden father. The women's differences in philosophy immediately spark a wrenching confrontation, but help arrives from the most unexpected of sources--the delinquent teen, whose reluctance to accept the family he never knew ultimately melts away when he discovers his aunt's true spirit. An acclaimed drama, adapted by Scott McPherson from his 1990 stage play. Academy Award Nominations: Best Actress--Diane Keaton. [More]

Starring: Meryl Streep, Diane Keaton, Leonardo DiCaprio, Robert De Niro

Starring: Meryl Streep, Diane Keaton, Leonardo DiCaprio, Robert De Niro, Hume Cronyn, Gwen Verdon, Hal Scardino, Dan Hedaya, Cynthia Nixon, Bitty Schram, Victor Garber, Helen Stenborg

Director: Jerry Zaks

Director: Jerry Zaks

[See More Credits]

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Release:

Feb 9, 1999

[DVD Details]
 
 
  • Marvin's Room
  • Leonardo DiCaprio (TITANIC, CATCH ME IF YOU CAN) drives an electrifying performance as the criminally rebellious son in this funny and stirring tale of one family's humor and heartache. Seventeen years ago, fiercely independent Lee (Meryl Streep -- ADAPTATION) left home ... and left behind her kindhearted sister Bessie (Diane Keaton -- THE FIRST WIVES CLUB) to care for their father, Marvin (Hume Cronyn). But now Lee is returning with her teenage son (DiCaprio), for a homecoming that's sure to turn the entire household upside down! Also starring Robert DeNiro (CASINO), this entertaining motion picture proves that people you know the least may be the ones you need the most!
  • Source: Buena Vista Home Entertainment.
  •  
     
     
     

    Reviews for Marvin's Room

    • T-Meter Critics
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    1 - 20 (sorted by date)
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    Keaton is given a rare opportunity here to remind us that she's not simply a fine comedienne, and she's marvelous.

    Full Review Source: TV Guide's Movie Guide | comment Comment
    02/08/10
    TV Guide's Movie Guide
    Top Critic Icon Top Critic

    At times attractive, at other times dull.

    Full Review Source: Film4 | comment Comment
    02/08/10
    Film4
    Top Critic Icon Top Critic

    The performances are overwhelmed by cinematography so gorgeous and distracting it makes the drama seem like just so much wheel spinning.

    Full Review Source: Chicago Reader | comment Comment
    02/08/10
    Lisa Alspector
    Lisa Alspector
    Chicago Reader
    Top Critic Icon Top Critic

    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.

    Full Review Source: Washington Post | comment Comment
    02/08/10
    Eric Brace
    Eric Brace
    Washington Post
    Top Critic Icon Top Critic

    No review available.

    comment Comment
    11/04/07
    Cole Smithey
    Cole Smithey
    ColeSmithey.com

    No review available.

    comment Comment
    03/24/07
    Brian Tallerico
    Brian Tallerico
    UGO

    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

    Full Review Source: Variety | comment Comment
    12/26/06
    Emanuel Levy
    Emanuel Levy
    Variety
    Top Critic Icon Top Critic

    Streep gives her most credible blue-collar performance to date; Keaton sidesteps saintliness to mix vulnerability and small heroics.

    Full Review Source: Time Out | comment Comment
    06/24/06
    Wally Hammond
    Wally Hammond
    Time Out

    No review available.

    comment Comment
    06/10/06
    Boyd van Hoeij
    Boyd van Hoeij
    european-films.net

    No review available.

    comment Comment
    05/03/06
    Robert Roten
    Robert Roten
    Laramie Movie Scope

    No review available.

    comment Comment
    03/09/06
    Jake Euker
    Jake Euker
    F5 (Wichita, KS)

    No review available.

    comment Comment
    06/23/05
    Emanuel Levy
    Emanuel Levy
    EmanuelLevy.Com
    Top Critic Icon Top Critic

    Its an actor's/writer's movie, but, oh, what acting and writing

    Full Review Source: Reeling Reviews | comment Comment
    04/09/05
    Robin Clifford
    Robin Clifford
    Reeling Reviews

    No review available.

    comment Comment
    01/08/05
    Michael Dequina
    Michael Dequina
    TheMovieReport.com

    Slow, depressing family drama finely acted

    comment Comment
    10/23/04
    Steve Crum
    Steve Crum
    Kansas City Kansan

    No review available.

    comment Comment
    06/23/04
    Nell Minow
    Nell Minow
    Movie Mom at Yahoo! Movies

    No review available.

    comment Comment
    08/22/03
    Carol Cling
    Carol Cling
    Las Vegas Review-Journal

    Zany and emotionally-affecting story about death, aging parents, reconciliation, and the healing power of selfless love.

    Full Review Source: Spirituality and Practice | comment Comment
    07/12/03
    Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat
    Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat
    Spirituality and Practice

    Family angst and reconciliation... bleargh.

    Full Review Source: Filmcritic.com | comment Comment
    05/26/03
    Christopher Null
    Christopher Null
    Filmcritic.com

    Powerhouse casting and a heartbreaking history make the screen version of Marvin's Room more memorable than it otherwise would be.

    Full Review Source: New York Times | comment Comment
    05/20/03
    Janet Maslin
    Janet Maslin
    New York Times
    Top Critic Icon Top Critic
     
     
    1 - 20 (sorted by date)
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