Widows' Peak

Widows' Peak
Theatrical release poster
Directed by John Irvin
Produced by Jo Manuel
Written by Hugh Leonard
Tim Hayes
Starring
Music by Carl Davis
Cinematography Ashley Rowe
Edited by Peter Tanner
Distributed by Irish Screen
Rank Film Distributors
Fine Line Features
Release date
 13 May 1994
Running time
 101 minutes
Country Ireland
United Kingdom
Language English
Irish
Box office $6,243,722

Widows' Peak is a 1994 British-Irish film which stars Mia Farrow, Joan Plowright, Natasha Richardson, Adrian Dunbar and Jim Broadbent and was directed by John Irvin.[1] The film is based on an original screenplay by Hugh Leonard and Tim Hayes.

Story

In the 1920s, just after World War I, in an Irish village named Kilshannon, Edwina Broome has moved into the neighborhood known as "Widows' Peak," named for the prevalent marital status of the residents, who are a rather exclusive group. The residents are curious about their new neighbor, Edwina, but information is not available about her, even for the leader of the place, Mrs. Doyle Counihan, whose son is busy attempting to attract Edwina. Miss O'Hare and Edwina immediately dislike each other, however, and soon some accidental encounters begin to look like Edwina is trying to ruin her new rival. The problems escalate and the town is in an uproar, but they get no closer to solving the mystery of the newcomer.[2]

Production notes

The film was mainly shot on location in the counties of Wicklow, Dublin and Kilkenny. The concept for the film came from its co-producer Prudence Farrow. While it had been intended for her mother Maureen O'Sullivan to play the role of Miss O'Hare, the part went to O'Sullivan's daughter and Prudence's sister Mia Farrow. O'Sullivan declined the part due to her advanced age and dwindling stamina.

Set in the 1920s, the film's period wardrobe needs were handled by Angels and Bermans as well as Costumi d'Arte and European Costume Company. Consolata Boyle was the costume designer.

The film grossed $6.2 million in U.S. theatrical release.

Reception

The film was well received by critics and the public. Roger Ebert of the Chicago Sun-Times said, the movie "uses understated humor and fluent, witty speech; it's a delight to listen to, as it gradually reveals how eccentric these apparently respectable people really are." [3]

Awards

In 1995, the actress Natasha Richardson received the Crystal Globe award at the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival, Czech Republic, for her role in this film. The director, John Irvin, was also nominated for this award. It received the best picture award at the 1995 Austin Film Festival.

  • The character Doug from the TV series of the same name referenced the film in a daydream where he was a bodybuilder.
  • The character Blossom Russo from the show Blossom goes to see Widow's Peak with her stepmother Carol in the episode "Writing the Wrongs".

Notes

  1. ↑ The Irish Filmography 1896-1996; Dublin: Red Mountain Press, 1996. p.207
  2. ↑ Ed Sutton, Widows' Peak Summary https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0111712/plotsummary?ref_=tt_ov_pl
  3. ↑ "Widows' Peak" 25 May 1994 http://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/widows-peak-1994


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