One True Thing (1998)

2 hours and 20 minutes of watching Rene Zellwinger's lip twitch tends to get monotonous. William Hurt looks sick yet he plays the physically healthy character here. Meanwhile, Meryl Streep is supposed to have cancer but she looks like a model in "I'm sick" make-up. There is one scene when she is in the tub and her hair is thinning from radiation that is quite saddening, however. And of course, Streep's acting is top notch. Still, the problem here is that the film tries way too hard to tug at the heartstrings and while it does elicit a plethora of tears, one feels kind of victimized for having shed them.

Note:

Also with Tom Everett-Scott and Diana Canova. Featuring the music of Bette Midler.

(Review written in 1998)

Report Card

Script: B-

Acting: A

Cinematography\Lighting: B

Special Effects\Make Up: A

Music: A

Final Grade: B-