127 समीक्षाएं
What impressed me the most about "One True Thing" was how up-front it was when the daughter mentions her mother's cancer at the beginning of the movie. As depressing the subject matter was, it was a refreshing change of pace instead of being blindsided with the revelation about a character's fatal illness 2/3 into the movie ("Love Story" "Terms of Endearment", etc.).
Meryl Streep, Renee Zellweger and William Hurt give very strong performances that don't go over the edge. The characters they play seem human; they're not perfect people. (Arguably, one might not say that about the "Martha Stewart"-type character Streep plays but throughout the film, I found her character to be noble in a non-sappy way. She's dealing with her plight the best way she knows how.)
"One True Thing" is an observant, unsentimental family drama in which the tears at the end were well-earned.
Meryl Streep, Renee Zellweger and William Hurt give very strong performances that don't go over the edge. The characters they play seem human; they're not perfect people. (Arguably, one might not say that about the "Martha Stewart"-type character Streep plays but throughout the film, I found her character to be noble in a non-sappy way. She's dealing with her plight the best way she knows how.)
"One True Thing" is an observant, unsentimental family drama in which the tears at the end were well-earned.
The DVD jacket in which this movie came describes it as "uplifting and humorous." Those are not the words I would have chosen - not by a long shot. I would choose a word like "sombre," sometimes even "depressing." Which isn't to say that it's a bad movie. It's actually a pretty good movie, featuring good performances from the leads, with enough uncertainty throughout about what's going to happen at the end that you keep watching. The uncertainty comes from the structure of the movie - it seems to revolve around Ellen's reminiscences of her mother's slow death from cancer, as she is interviewed by the DA. So, we know from the start that something suspicious happened at the end - the questions are "what?" and "who?"
Renee Zellweger was very good as Ellen - the somewhat resentful daughter who has to give up her life and job in New York to return home to care for her sick mother. Ellen evolves through the movie - moreso than any other character - as she learns to deal with both the strengths and weaknesses of her parents. Her relationship with her father (William Hurt) is quite interesting. My initial impression was that they were quite close, but the warts in the relationship start to show after a while. Hurt was effective as the detached husband - detached not in an uncaring way, but in the sense of being unable to cope with what's happening to his wife, and seeking escape from it in various ways. Finally, Meryl Streep as the cancer-stricken Kate was very convincing in the role, seeking to live out what remains of her life in the most fulfilling way possible, then dealing with the anger she feels at her increasing debilitation. In a way, watching a family deal with this kind of crisis reminded me a little bit of "Ordinary People," although this movie was far less emotionally intense. So, not "uplifting and humorous" (with all due respect to whoever wrote the synopsis on the DVD jacket) but very good in its own way. 7/10
Renee Zellweger was very good as Ellen - the somewhat resentful daughter who has to give up her life and job in New York to return home to care for her sick mother. Ellen evolves through the movie - moreso than any other character - as she learns to deal with both the strengths and weaknesses of her parents. Her relationship with her father (William Hurt) is quite interesting. My initial impression was that they were quite close, but the warts in the relationship start to show after a while. Hurt was effective as the detached husband - detached not in an uncaring way, but in the sense of being unable to cope with what's happening to his wife, and seeking escape from it in various ways. Finally, Meryl Streep as the cancer-stricken Kate was very convincing in the role, seeking to live out what remains of her life in the most fulfilling way possible, then dealing with the anger she feels at her increasing debilitation. In a way, watching a family deal with this kind of crisis reminded me a little bit of "Ordinary People," although this movie was far less emotionally intense. So, not "uplifting and humorous" (with all due respect to whoever wrote the synopsis on the DVD jacket) but very good in its own way. 7/10
This is one of my favourite films of all time, no doubt about it. Everything about it is superb. While it may appear to be a film which mainly appeals to women, I think that the men should give it a chance too - a substantial part of the storyline is from George Gulden's (William Hurt) point of view, as the father of the family.
Through 'One True Thing', we see how a family copes with disease - from everybody's point of view. Although we follow the story from Ellen Gulden's (Renee Zellweger) eyes, it never feels like we're missing out on anything.
The strongest point of the film is the superb acting. Hurt and Zellweger give very strong, convincing performances, and the supporting cast are also very good; however, it's Meryl Streep who stands out here. I truly believe this to be not only one of her best performances to date, but one of the best ever. Her work in this film is absolutely astounding. She's everything and anything the film could require from her - and then so much more. What she brings to this role is truly magical; the woman is a genius. How she could have missed out on the Oscar that year, I have absolutely no idea.
There isn't much more to say, except for SEE THIS FILM. It is all at once extremely insightful, moving, humorous and beautiful. You won't regret watching this one.
Through 'One True Thing', we see how a family copes with disease - from everybody's point of view. Although we follow the story from Ellen Gulden's (Renee Zellweger) eyes, it never feels like we're missing out on anything.
The strongest point of the film is the superb acting. Hurt and Zellweger give very strong, convincing performances, and the supporting cast are also very good; however, it's Meryl Streep who stands out here. I truly believe this to be not only one of her best performances to date, but one of the best ever. Her work in this film is absolutely astounding. She's everything and anything the film could require from her - and then so much more. What she brings to this role is truly magical; the woman is a genius. How she could have missed out on the Oscar that year, I have absolutely no idea.
There isn't much more to say, except for SEE THIS FILM. It is all at once extremely insightful, moving, humorous and beautiful. You won't regret watching this one.
I loved this movie. To be very fair, the movie starts off very slowly, with none of the characters being terribly sympathetic. It continues in this way for a good half of the film.
But, if you're patient, you'll be greatly rewarded. What the first half of the movie lacks in character development and/or sympathy is adequately compensated for in the second half. It's a bit like riding a roller coaster - a slow, uphill climb to strat off with, and then speed, twists and turns, and a few surprises.
As usual, Meryl Streep is wonderful. She is the finest actress of our time. William Hurt is good, if a bit wooden in spots. Renee Zellweger does a very good job, showing that her performance in Jerry McGuire wasn't a fluke.
But, if you're patient, you'll be greatly rewarded. What the first half of the movie lacks in character development and/or sympathy is adequately compensated for in the second half. It's a bit like riding a roller coaster - a slow, uphill climb to strat off with, and then speed, twists and turns, and a few surprises.
As usual, Meryl Streep is wonderful. She is the finest actress of our time. William Hurt is good, if a bit wooden in spots. Renee Zellweger does a very good job, showing that her performance in Jerry McGuire wasn't a fluke.
- GrumpyOldMan60
- 25 जुल॰ 1999
- परमालिंक
This film is based on Anna Quindlen's novel about a Harvard graduate who returns home to care for her ailing mother played by who else but Meryl Street. Her daughter is played by Renee Zellweger. Her husband and family patriarch is played by William Hurt who is an English professor in a college town and department chair with his own secrets. The film was filmed in New Jersey and at a professor's house in Madison, New Jersey not far from Meryl Streep's hometown of Bernards, NJ. The film was filmed in New Jersey and featured a lot of New York City based actors like the wonderful Sloane Shelton and Marcia Jean Kurtz. Lauren Graham is featured as one of Ellen's best friend. The story is the usual-based and Meryl Streep does give a terrific performance. She makes the film come alive but she has a terrific supporting cast that makes a mediocre script come alive.
- Sylviastel
- 27 सित॰ 2009
- परमालिंक
Based on the Novel by Anna Quindlen, 'One True Thing', directed by Carl Franklin, is a Senstive Film, that is Real & Moving. Another thing, the performances are super here!
'One True Thing' tells the story of a career oriented girl, who is forced to take care of her cancer-stick-en mother. It's about pleasure, It's about pain and it's about a family.
Screenplay by Karen Croner, is challenging & moving. The relationships are effectively executed. Carl Franklin directs this story efficiently. Cinematography & Editing are good.
Performance-Wise: Meryl Streep is dependable, as always. Renne Zellweger is fantastic. She delivers in every sequence. William Hurt is restrained. Tom Evertt Scott has a brief role. Nicky Katt does well.
On the whole, A Well-Made film, that deserves a watch.
'One True Thing' tells the story of a career oriented girl, who is forced to take care of her cancer-stick-en mother. It's about pleasure, It's about pain and it's about a family.
Screenplay by Karen Croner, is challenging & moving. The relationships are effectively executed. Carl Franklin directs this story efficiently. Cinematography & Editing are good.
Performance-Wise: Meryl Streep is dependable, as always. Renne Zellweger is fantastic. She delivers in every sequence. William Hurt is restrained. Tom Evertt Scott has a brief role. Nicky Katt does well.
On the whole, A Well-Made film, that deserves a watch.
The reason I think this movie is fabulous is that it has so many layers of emotion. From the script and the fabulous acting you can tell that there is a history behind all of the feelings that there are. You understand why the characters take certain actions and why the do not make others. You can feel sympathy and joy and love and sorrow for them all at once. You see humanity at its best AND at it's worst. You can relate to the characters because although you may have never been in their exact situations before you see qualities and downfalls in them that you see in yourself. To a certain extent this movie kind of keeps you wondering but then at the end it explains itself and you feel a certain peace and understanding not only in you but for the characters. I will say that I have have never EVER cried so much in my life nor have gotten so much out of something. I implore you to watch this movie and take it's meaning to heart. That there is only one true thing and that is... love.
- pooky37027
- 25 सित॰ 2004
- परमालिंक
- anaconda-40658
- 5 नव॰ 2015
- परमालिंक
- gregorybnyc
- 28 मार्च 2010
- परमालिंक
Renee Zellwegger turns in an excellent performance as a young woman who's mother has come down with cancer. Along the way, she deals with a boss who has no idea what she's going through (in fact, he thinks she has ulterior motives behind her reasons), a father who deals with his pain by sharing it with other women, and, of course, a mother fighting cancer.
Renee shows a lot of calm in the movie. The only part that I did not understand is how someone could BE so calm when they go through what she did. If it were me, I think every other word out of my mouth would be based on anger and resentments towards what my family was being forced to go through.
I do like Zellwegger, which is the only reason I chose to watch this film. I always thought I was not much into the "chick flick" genre, but some of them have some pretty intense moments!
Renee shows a lot of calm in the movie. The only part that I did not understand is how someone could BE so calm when they go through what she did. If it were me, I think every other word out of my mouth would be based on anger and resentments towards what my family was being forced to go through.
I do like Zellwegger, which is the only reason I chose to watch this film. I always thought I was not much into the "chick flick" genre, but some of them have some pretty intense moments!
- moviedude1
- 5 जन॰ 2004
- परमालिंक
It's not surprising that the majority of higher-rated votes were submitted by females aged 45+. This is the timeframe in women's lives when they become the caretakers of aged and ill parents. I lost my mother, from complications of cancer, in June, and went through most of the same emotions portrayed by Zellweger in this film. Yes, it made me cry, but the tears were real, the characters were real, and the plot development extremely accurate. Kudos to the entire cast and crew for a wonderful portrayal of life and death, and the promises of tomorrow.
- LibertyBelle
- 9 नव॰ 2001
- परमालिंक
The plot of the film goes deeply into the current problems of any family. A couple with two children, both studying, the lady very well but the boy doing someething different of what his father wants from him, the mother as a housewife happy organizing parties and other social activities and also aware of what his husband beside his work is doing. She felt sick with cancer, and she does not want to be helped, she wants to work and to do what every day she does. Her daughter, already a professional inspired in the example of her father who is a professor, started to take care of her mother but also noticed that her father was doing something wrong out of the family. They discussed in a violent way publicly, and the mother before her death asked her to accept the life as it is and his father too. If you analyze the plot you may find that the situation drawn here is common in several other families all over the world. Life goes more or less smoothly until one of the member starts decaying, the family goes well but need all elements functioning, nobody is perfect and it is necessary to co-exist with the problems of the others making the life of each one compatible in the family and in the society. So the content of the film is quite interesting, but we should also acknowledge the acting of Meryl Streep, who in every film shows her extraordinary class, she is probably among the all-time five best actresses of cinema, while young Renée Zellweger did a work even much better than the one she did in "Bridget Jones's Diary" (2001). Her acting was so natural that at certain point I thought she was real. Certainly she is better to star in dramas than in comedies. William Hurt, as usual, acted also splendidly.
- esteban1747
- 18 फ़र॰ 2003
- परमालिंक
Renee Zellweger and Meryl Streep both give remarkable performanaces in this oddly off-putting movie. I expected to leave the theater as bleary-eyed as Streep's character was close to her final scenes, but instead felt empty and a bit depressed. In my opinion, for a movie like this to succeed there must be a) characters you warm up to early on, b) enough humor to balance out the extreme morbidity of the plot, and c) a sense that there is some greater reason for sitting through 2 hours of this. One True Thing did not make the case in any of these areas, so I am calling it a failure.
As William Hurt also said in The Accidental Tourist, "Less..is invariably more". I guess many of us do live in denial, trying to slip through life as if certain things weren't happening. It is true that rude awakenings sometimes are the only ways for some of us to open our eyes and smell the coffee.
William Hurt executed the egotistic father's role like no one ever has before. He is gifted at portraying the role of the "blind" husband. I guess if Kathleen Turner had played the wife's part in this movie he would have had a much harder time. I believe the three of them (Hurt, Streep and Zellweger) portrayed a real family story, something far from the typical Hollywood drama. They were able to show the strong and weak sides of being human and bearing family responsibilities. Very beautiful movie, very descriptive with several not-so-long scenes. Indeed, sometimes less..is invariably more.
William Hurt executed the egotistic father's role like no one ever has before. He is gifted at portraying the role of the "blind" husband. I guess if Kathleen Turner had played the wife's part in this movie he would have had a much harder time. I believe the three of them (Hurt, Streep and Zellweger) portrayed a real family story, something far from the typical Hollywood drama. They were able to show the strong and weak sides of being human and bearing family responsibilities. Very beautiful movie, very descriptive with several not-so-long scenes. Indeed, sometimes less..is invariably more.
- vincentlynch-moonoi
- 26 जुल॰ 2013
- परमालिंक
One might consider the premise of this film to be that around the edges of life, sometimes we see that ordinary things make us who we really are. In that space we can come together and really love each other for what's good in each of us and despite what's not so good. That's the thing that really counts.
As others have said here, the performances were the best part of the film. The framing device of Renee Zellweger's character telling her story to the District Attorney didn't really work. Some of the relationships seemed underdeveloped. There should have been more of the son, and either more (or less) the best friend. Still, the film definitely transcends the 'disease of the week' genre into which some might categorize it. It isn't sentimental or schmaltzy. Much of that is because of the tension in the family relationships here on display.
William Hurt isn't scared to play a really flawed person without trying to necessarily redeem him. Zellweger's discovery that he's not quite the hero she thought and her subsequent anger because of this gives the film an edge it might not have had if this was the story of a less complicated happy family. But guess what? Most of us are "dysfunctional," and that's what makes us human. The writer and the director subtly bring these things forward.
Renee Zellweger, with her sweet face, takes a little while to make herself believable as the outwardly tough Ellen, but ultimately hers is a really thoughtful, moving performance. You can really see her character growing up. During the worst of circumstances, Ellen learns who her parents are as people, not as the images of the brilliant intellectual father and the fluffy suburban mum she's always seen.
As usual, Meryl Streep is magic. That almost sounds unfair, like she's always the same in everything. But Kate Gulden is really different to any character she's played before. She really makes this woman a fully realized human being, showing us sides of the character that Kate's children, her friends, maybe even she herself never knew she had.
Kate appears at first to be a kind of Martha Stewart/Suzy Homemaker perfectionist who is nevertheless a kind and sweet woman. And Streep's portrayal gives us the sense that before her illness, essentially Kate was that. But through her insightful performance, we learn that perhaps that image was what she put out for others to see, maybe even as a coping mechanism to gloss over those parts of her life that she was unsatisfied with.
Director Carl Franklin really shows restraint in this film. It's definitely a tear jerker, but it doesn't manipulate the viewer with a sugar sweet picture of a dying woman and her family. Instead, "One True Thing" shows us what this situation might really be like, and invites the viewer to empathize. The Christmas scene at the town square with the singing of "Silent Night" is maybe the saddest but strangely also the most uplifting moment of the film.
As the outward trappings that made up the Gulden family as they saw themselves fall away during Kate's illness and death, they learn about the nature of love. It isn't always easy or pretty or deserved. It isn't even always a choice that we make. Love just IS, and will carry us on even after those we love have gone.
As others have said here, the performances were the best part of the film. The framing device of Renee Zellweger's character telling her story to the District Attorney didn't really work. Some of the relationships seemed underdeveloped. There should have been more of the son, and either more (or less) the best friend. Still, the film definitely transcends the 'disease of the week' genre into which some might categorize it. It isn't sentimental or schmaltzy. Much of that is because of the tension in the family relationships here on display.
William Hurt isn't scared to play a really flawed person without trying to necessarily redeem him. Zellweger's discovery that he's not quite the hero she thought and her subsequent anger because of this gives the film an edge it might not have had if this was the story of a less complicated happy family. But guess what? Most of us are "dysfunctional," and that's what makes us human. The writer and the director subtly bring these things forward.
Renee Zellweger, with her sweet face, takes a little while to make herself believable as the outwardly tough Ellen, but ultimately hers is a really thoughtful, moving performance. You can really see her character growing up. During the worst of circumstances, Ellen learns who her parents are as people, not as the images of the brilliant intellectual father and the fluffy suburban mum she's always seen.
As usual, Meryl Streep is magic. That almost sounds unfair, like she's always the same in everything. But Kate Gulden is really different to any character she's played before. She really makes this woman a fully realized human being, showing us sides of the character that Kate's children, her friends, maybe even she herself never knew she had.
Kate appears at first to be a kind of Martha Stewart/Suzy Homemaker perfectionist who is nevertheless a kind and sweet woman. And Streep's portrayal gives us the sense that before her illness, essentially Kate was that. But through her insightful performance, we learn that perhaps that image was what she put out for others to see, maybe even as a coping mechanism to gloss over those parts of her life that she was unsatisfied with.
Director Carl Franklin really shows restraint in this film. It's definitely a tear jerker, but it doesn't manipulate the viewer with a sugar sweet picture of a dying woman and her family. Instead, "One True Thing" shows us what this situation might really be like, and invites the viewer to empathize. The Christmas scene at the town square with the singing of "Silent Night" is maybe the saddest but strangely also the most uplifting moment of the film.
As the outward trappings that made up the Gulden family as they saw themselves fall away during Kate's illness and death, they learn about the nature of love. It isn't always easy or pretty or deserved. It isn't even always a choice that we make. Love just IS, and will carry us on even after those we love have gone.
'One True Thing' is a fairly formulaic and terribly overlong tearjerker. The dynamics of the relationships are pretty compelling but strength of the film lies in the wonderful performances from both Meryl Streep and Renée Zellweger.
- Sir_AmirSyarif
- 20 मई 2020
- परमालिंक
Kate Gulden, played by one of the most nominated actresses of the last decade of this century, and also one of the most talented actresses Meryl Streep(Out of Africa). She is wonderful is every part that she plays. The Yale graduate is the pride and joy of the American Cinema.
Kate's health is deteriorating and her husband, George, role well developed by brilliant actor and also Oscar winner, William Hurt (Smoke, Kiss of the Spider Woman) has a hard time with the deteriorating health of his one true thing, and seeks his daughter's help. The poor daughter, Ellen Gulden, Renée Zellweger (Jerry Maguire) has way too much expected of her. No breaks! The story takes a very realistic view on the illness of a parent. In this movie the only daughter has to put her life on hold to care for the needs of others. There is always one in every family who faces that kind of responsibility. Ellen is angry the beginning of the movie, but as time passes she ends up understanding her mothers' life time dedication to her family. She even asks her mom: How do you do his, every day, in and out and nobody notices it? That is what women do, a lot of what I call invisible work. Moreover we clean, we fix, we mend, we stretch, we celebrate, we are the best friends, we are confidants, the mistress, outreachers, disciplinarians, sensitive. Some of us, like both women in this movie, have the perfect education, are the psychological pillar for the entire family and also do all that invisible work! That is Kate Ellen, and many women in our society. Many of us have already gone through that stage of life when our parents age and died. I have been there. They just went too young. I have given my parents my thanks, but I never understood them as well as when I had to play their roles, and had to walk in their shoes. This movie mirrors the reality of life. Perhaps it is sad, but that is how life is, at times. George a Professor at Harvard is complicated person, who appears to think that his work is more important than everybody else, and has a very "master/servant" mentality toward the women in his life. He is not strong enough to cope. If you want to see good acting and the reality of life do not miss this movie. Favorite Scenes: The restaurant coming to Kate, violins and all. The making of a table out of broken china. That I so symbolic! We are all broken vessels! Favorite Quotes: George: "It is only by going uphill, that you realize that you are really going downhill." George "You have a Harvard education but where is your heart?"
Kate's health is deteriorating and her husband, George, role well developed by brilliant actor and also Oscar winner, William Hurt (Smoke, Kiss of the Spider Woman) has a hard time with the deteriorating health of his one true thing, and seeks his daughter's help. The poor daughter, Ellen Gulden, Renée Zellweger (Jerry Maguire) has way too much expected of her. No breaks! The story takes a very realistic view on the illness of a parent. In this movie the only daughter has to put her life on hold to care for the needs of others. There is always one in every family who faces that kind of responsibility. Ellen is angry the beginning of the movie, but as time passes she ends up understanding her mothers' life time dedication to her family. She even asks her mom: How do you do his, every day, in and out and nobody notices it? That is what women do, a lot of what I call invisible work. Moreover we clean, we fix, we mend, we stretch, we celebrate, we are the best friends, we are confidants, the mistress, outreachers, disciplinarians, sensitive. Some of us, like both women in this movie, have the perfect education, are the psychological pillar for the entire family and also do all that invisible work! That is Kate Ellen, and many women in our society. Many of us have already gone through that stage of life when our parents age and died. I have been there. They just went too young. I have given my parents my thanks, but I never understood them as well as when I had to play their roles, and had to walk in their shoes. This movie mirrors the reality of life. Perhaps it is sad, but that is how life is, at times. George a Professor at Harvard is complicated person, who appears to think that his work is more important than everybody else, and has a very "master/servant" mentality toward the women in his life. He is not strong enough to cope. If you want to see good acting and the reality of life do not miss this movie. Favorite Scenes: The restaurant coming to Kate, violins and all. The making of a table out of broken china. That I so symbolic! We are all broken vessels! Favorite Quotes: George: "It is only by going uphill, that you realize that you are really going downhill." George "You have a Harvard education but where is your heart?"
"One True Thing" puts Zellweger in the midst of a family crisis as an adult journalist who returns home to care for her dying mother (Streep). Somber and plodding, the film studies the adult child coming to terms with the adult view of her parents as they are slowly revealed to be something less than the ideal she grew up knowing as a child. An excellent character study and a find production with little to fault, "OTT" offers three fine performances by a trio of top actors and some plaintive reflections on life and death.
- jfgibson73
- 15 फ़र॰ 2020
- परमालिंक
I don't cry easily over movies, but I have to admit, this one brought me to tears. Although I am not a Ms. Streep fan, her performance was excellent. The title defines in a sentence what a mother's love is. For the first hour I didn't like any of the characters, but that changed as the movie went on. The movie also explained why certain marriages last even though there are obstacles. A must see film.
What really amazed me about this film was that it ringed so false. First of all, who in the late 80's (when the film takes place)lived like this family? A college professor wouldn't make enough money to support the lifestyle I saw on the film. Hence, he and his stay home wife would be plagued by financial woes, especially when she gets cancer. Second, Streep is my age, and most women, particularly in her class (educated, white, well off) experienced the feminist movement. Yet this woman seems oblivious to her anachronistic behavior. I actually felt that she was a very controlling woman who kept her husband an emotional child by taking care of his every need.
The fact that so many people were moved by the film is amazing. I have admired Carl Franklin's films in the past, and I actually like Meryl Streep, but gad, what a manipulative and lying film this is.
The fact that so many people were moved by the film is amazing. I have admired Carl Franklin's films in the past, and I actually like Meryl Streep, but gad, what a manipulative and lying film this is.