How to Make an American Quilt (DVD, 1999, Widescreen; Subtitled Spanish)

It is hard to go wrong with a cast this strong and this movie doesn't let the viewer down. Ellen Burstyn (Hy) and Anne Bancroft (Glady Jo) are fantastic as rather free thinking, older sisters who are always sparring while loving each other and Burstyn's granddaughter, Finn, played by Winona Ryder. Finn is a graduate student trying to finish her thesis while spending time at the home of her grandmother and great aunt. There she also spends time away from her fiance, Sam played by Dermot Mulroney, wondering if she is making the right decision to marry. Each day the quilting circle meets to complete Finn's wedding quilt and Finn has a chance to share her fears with individual members while they share their stories of loves lost and lives found. This movie is one larger story wrapped around several shorter stories. Each story is well defined, yet still blended into the larger story without any contrived actions. The photography is very good in allowing flashbacks to flow in and out of the present day of the movie and uphold the mood of the person telling the story. The movie is based on a book that I have read and stays pretty true to it, using only a small amount license to allow the movie move in ways it couldn't if filmed exactly as written. The only thing I did't like about the movie was the introduction of Finn's mother and father. Some how, though I think they are mentioned earlier, when Finn's mother shows up I felt I should have known more about her already. She was, at first, somewhat out of place. Later, her appearance and personality fit into the story quite well. Other cast members include Jean Simmons, Rip Torn, Claire Danes, Kate Capshaw, Alfre Woodard, Jared Leto, Adam Baldwin, Kate Nelligan and the wonderful poet, Maya Angelou. Though I know several men who have enjoyed this movie with their wives, it is definitely directed towards women. I encourage women, young and old, to watch it with their best friends, daughters, mothers, grandmothers, aunts, cousins, etc. You'll find you have a lot to talk about afterwards.