In the 1950s, brothers Jacey and Doug Holt, who come from the poorer side of their sleepy Midwestern town, vie for the affections of the wealthy, lovely Abbott sisters. Lady-killer Jacey alternates between Eleanor and Alice, wanting simply to break the hearts of rich young women. But sensitive Doug has a real romance with Pamela, which Jacey and the Abbott patriarch, Lloyd, both frown upon.
Acting
Phoenix's trembling restraint vs. Crudup's volcanic charm.
Cinematography
Golden-hour nostalgia that makes poverty look like a filter.
Costume
Jennifer Connelly's wardrobe alone is worth the admission.
Director
Pat O'Connor
Joaquin Phoenix
Doug Holt
Liv Tyler
Pamela Abbott
Jennifer Connelly
Eleanor Abbott
Billy Crudup
Jacey Holt
Joanna Going
Alice Abbott
Kathy Baker
Helen Holt
Will Patton
Lloyd Abbott
Michael Sutton
Steve
Garrett M. Brown
Webb Crosby
Barbara Williams
Joan Abbott
Alessandro Nivola
Peter Vanlaningham
Shawn Hatosy
Victor
Julie Benz
Co-ed
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
This was Joaquin Phoenix's first romantic lead after ditching his 'Leaf' phase — he allegedly insisted on keeping Doug's awkwardness unpolished.
The film bombed in '97 because audiences wanted Titanic-level romance, not this quietly devastating meditation on how working-class men weaponize sex against the wealthy. Its cult following grew once Phoenix became inevitable.
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Reactions from the web
I feel like i just watched the whole movie
@TheEternities1000 49
Joaquin Phoenix is so wonderful in this movie...not to mention gorgeous!!!
@EmmaRose473 158
that punch was so bad im laughing
@ALBUMOF2008 21
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