A Dangerous Woman

Critics Consensus

No consensus yet.

55%

TOMATOMETER

Total Count: 11

34%

Audience Score

User Ratings: 1,230
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Movie Info

Debra Winger's performance as a slow, mentally disturbed woman in A Dangerous Woman, raises the film far above its conventional, violence-ridden plot. Winger plays Martha, a quiet, lonely woman who has adjusted to a life without a man as she toils away at her small job at a dry cleaners in a small town. She lives in the guest cottage of the home of relative Frances (Barbara Hershey). Frances is a single woman who takes up with a variety of men as a cover for her loneliness and insecurity. When Anita (Laurie Metcalf) barrels her car into Frances' porch (thinking, correctly, that her husband is inside Frances' house), alcoholic handyman Mackey (Gabriel Byrne) appears on the scene and offers to fix Frances' porch. As Mackey works on the porch, Mackey becomes involved with both Frances and Martha. Into this melodramatic brew is added Getso (David Strathairn), a petty crook who works with Martha at the dry cleaners. When the four principles interact with each other, the disturbing results include an unwanted pregnancy, a murder, and some unsparing violence.

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Cast

Debra Winger
as Martha
Barbara Hershey
as Frances
Gabriel Byrne
as Mack
David Strathairn
as Getso
Chloe Webb
as Birdy
John Terry
as Steve
Jan Hooks
as Makeup Girl
Laurie Metcalf
as Anita
Paul Dooley
as Tupperware Salesman
Viveka Davis
as Mercy
Richard Riehle
as John
Amanda Mackey
Maggie Gyllenhaal
as Patsy
Cathy Sandrich
Myles Sheridan
as Paul
Brad Blaisdell
as Wesley
Jake Gyllenhaal
as Edward
Warren Munson
as Gately
Rebecca Arthur
as Checker
Rebeca Arthur
as Checker
Philip McNiven
as Young Man
Breon Gorman
as Heidi
Anna Mathias
as Singer
Jack Riley
as Bandleader
Brandis Kemp
as Female Caterer
Heather Locklear
Charyl Wright-Roberts
as In-Mate
Martine Wood
as Female Security Guard
Joel Randel
as Male Security Guard
Cassidy Ann Thomas
as Martha's Daughter
Chelsea Morgan Thomas
as Martha's Daughter
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Critic Reviews for A Dangerous Woman

All Critics (11) | Top Critics (3) | Fresh (6) | Rotten (5)

  • While Winger's acting is painfully accurate, utterly unglamorous and unnerving in its otherness, this adaptation of Mary McGarry Morris looks unlikely to gain a place in the Oscar sweepstakes...A Dangerous Woman proves difficult to watch at times.

    May 14, 2018 | Full Review…

    Malcolm Johnson

    Hartford Courant

  • It's acting of an order that deserves better than the film's cheap, final grope for melodrama.

    Nov 30, 2017 | Full Review…

    Quentin Curtis

    Independent on Sunday

  • The movie centered around Winger's sexuality. She gave an absolutely wonderful performance. Very realistic. I wish she had a better director.

    Jan 1, 2000 | Rating: 2/4 | Full Review…

    Steve Rhodes

    Internet Reviews
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Audience Reviews for A Dangerous Woman

  • Jul 03, 2008
    Some good character studies.
    Anthony V Super Reviewer
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