A Cooler Climate

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User Ratings: 200

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Movie Info

Susan Seidelman directs this critically acclaimed made-for-cable TV movie based on the novel by Zena Collier. A nasty divorce leaves one-time housewife Iris Prue (Sally Field) in unstable financial circumstances, forcing her to accept a demeaning job as live-in housekeeper to the family of imperious, snooty Paula Tanner (Judy Davis). Slowly rebuilding her life in the small Maine town where she's employed by the Tanners, Iris makes new friends and even strikes up a romance with an artist named Jack (Winston Rekert). When Paula is left by her own husband and undergoes a psychological crisis as a result, Iris is surprised to find herself befriending the employer with whom she once clashed, and an unexpected friendship blooms. Jerry Wasserman, Jessalyn Gilsig, and Carly Pope co-star. Both Field and Davis were nominated for Screen Actors Guild and Emmy awards for their work in A Cooler Climate.

Rating:

R
Genre:

Drama, Television
Directed By:

Susan Seidelman
Written By:

Marsha Norman
In Theaters:

Aug 22, 1999 wide
On Disc/Streaming:

Dec 19, 2000
Runtime:

100 minutes
Studio:

CBS Television Studios

Cast

Sally Field
as Iris Prue

Judy Davis
as Paula Tanner

Jerry Wasserman
as Leo Tanner

Winston Rekert
as Jack

Carly Pope
as Beth

Jessalyn Gilsig
as Callie

Gerard Plunkett
as Graham

Alec Willows
as Marcus

Denalda Williams
as Yvonne

Peter Yunker
as Oliver

Tasha Simms
as Boutique Owner

Suzanne Ristig
as Iris's Lawyer

Doug Abraham
as Manager

Claire Riley
as Customs Lawyer

Campbell Lane
as Mr. Mathers

Paul McGillion
as Cop

Gary Hetherington
as Mr. Blake

Andrew Kavadas
as Hippie

C. Patrick Currie
as Cute Guy

Andrew Guy
as Beth's Boyfriend

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Critic Reviews for A Cooler Climate

All Critics (1)

Presents a fascinating look at how difficult it is for middle-agers to start their lives over from scratch.

Mar 16, 2002 | Full Review…

Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat
Spirituality and Practice

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Audience Reviews for A Cooler Climate

Aug 05, 2009

I watched this a long time ago, bt as far as I can remember this movie's pretty good...

Cita W Super Reviewer
Oct 30, 2008

Judy bitches the hell out of Sally, she gives it right back. A wonderful opportunity to see two great actresses bring out the best in each other in a story of how two people who seem to have little in common can be each other's salvation.

jay n Super Reviewer
Sep 13, 2008

A very good pairing of strong actress such as Sally Field and Judy Davis make: A Cooler Climate such a good movie. Fields plays a divorced housewive whom moves into a cold wealhier woman's (Davis) home. They have to deal with very opposite personalities and play off one another very well.

Mason W Super Reviewer