On M List of Movie Reviews
(For optimum viewing, adjust the zoom level of your browser to 125%.)
Murphy's Romance (1985)
Rate:
7
Viewed:
9/26
9/26:
Sally Field needs to get over herself.
It's James Garner who makes Murphy's Romance. Easy-going and never in need of an acting lesson, that's
why he secured the first and only Oscar nomination of his career. His lines were so good that I was seeing
the real James Garner. The only icky part is he's too old for Sally Field.
The other guy is pretty good, too, bearing an uncanny resemblance to Nick Nolte. Sometimes, I couldn't tell,
but that's Brian Kerwin. Corey Haim does a nice job of never being in the way, a rare compliment I can give
for a child star. As usual, Martin Ritt deserves credit for making a very wholesome movie with strong
cinematography by William A. Fraker.
Back to Sally Field, it's a total repeat of
Places in the Heart: same story, same approach, and same
gimmick. She's annoying at times but passable enough in most scenes. A different actress would've been a
better idea. James Garner and Brian Kerwin were beating Sally Field constantly with simplicity. The only
funny scene they have is at the dance.
All in all, James Garner gives his career best performance in Murphy's Romance.