(1984)
3.5
Karl Williams
Inspired by the financial struggles of the small family farm, a vital social and political issue in the United States at the time, Hollywood produced a spate of dramas in the mid-1980s concerned with the tribulations of heartland families. Somewhat atypical in its psychological emphasis, The Stone Boy (1984) was still firmly rooted in this category. The story of a Midwestern farm family nearly destroyed by grief, and a young boy's odd reaction to his culpability in his brother's accidental death, was based on a short story by Gina Berriault. The Stone Boy was praised for its spare dialogue, its frank, non-manipulative tone, and its remarkably beautiful location photography, all qualities that were hallmarks of the other films of its kind, which included Tender Mercies (1983), Country (1984), Places in the Heart (1984) and The River (1984). It was directed by Christopher Cain, who earned kudos in only his second outing behind the camera for his assured hand with the film's top-notch cast, which included Robert Duvall and Wilford Brimley. Both actors gave noteworthy performances as gruff, stoic country patriarchs, character types they often inhabited. The Stone Boy also starred Glenn Close, Frederic Forrest, and the impressive young Jason Presson as the film's mute hero. Smaller roles were filled by actress Gail Youngs, who was then Duvall's real-life wife, Linda Hamilton, and the director's stepson, actor Dean Cain, who made his feature film debut as the accident victim. Generous government subsidies eventually proved a short-term solution for the ailments of the family farm and the popularity of the breed waned, with only such occasional forays as Miles From Home (1988) and the PBS documentary The Farmer's Wife (1998).
releases for The Stone Boy on AllMovie
The Stone Boy (1984)
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The Stone Boy
Anchor Bay
More
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May 17, 2005 |
