Widows' Peak

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

Widows' Peak
Theatrical release poster
Directed byJohn Irvin
Produced byJo Manuel
Written byHugh Leonard
Tim Hayes
Starring
Music byCarl Davis
CinematographyAshley Rowe
Edited byPeter Tanner
Distributed byIrish Screen
Rank Film Distributors
Fine Line Features
Release date
13 May 1994
Running time
101 minutes
CountryIreland
United Kingdom
LanguageEnglish
Irish
Box office$6,243,722

Story

In the 1920s, just after the First World War, in an Irish village named Kilshannon, Edwina Broome has moved into the neighbourhood 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 neighbour, 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 film "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


This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.