On W List of Movie Reviews
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Weeds (1987)
Rate:
8
Viewed:
11/25
11/25:
Lee Umstetter.
That's a superb character for Nick Nolte in what's an obscure movie nowadays: Weeds. Director John
Hancock elicits strong performances from a stellar cast with some stealing the show momentarily:
Lane Smith, Rita Taggart, John Toles-Bey, Ernie Hudson, William Forsythe, Joe Mantegna, Mark Rolston (I wonder
that's how he got cast for The Shawshank Redemption),
and Anne Ramsey.
I'll go so far as to classify this one as a prison picture even though it doesn't mostly take place there. Rather,
the play was born out of San Quentin, leading a way out for ex-convicts, and they take it to Broadway, making
for an inspiration. The critic's review in New York City shouldn't be paid attention to because he had never
done a stint, hence the spontaneous reaction at a prison in Syracuse because they could relate 100%.
There are funny and sad moments. It's interesting how the play has evolved from an amateur production,
and I didn't even think it was good to begin with, to a professional work of art with all the kinks worked
out. I can even see it being viable today by conveying the universal truth of what it is like to serve
time.
All in all, Weeds is among Nick Nolte's greatest hits.