User reviews

A poor working class woman and widow can't handle the suicide of her violent husband and turns her despair violently against her own two daughters. When the younger daughter is seeking friendship with a black neighbor widow, her mother runs amok. This very slow and silent working class family drama is one of the best of its genre that I've seen for a very long time. It's intense, touching, thrilling, although sometimes a bit too "schmaltzy" and teardrop-dominated.

The male actors like Jon Savage and Burt Young are only playing supporting roles in this movie, and the all-female main actors are all brilliant - Ellen Barkin as an alcohol-addicted, children-beating and depressed housewife in one of her best roles, Julia Stiles and Tina Majarino as her suffering children and Oprah Winfrey as the lonely, elderly widow. This is no mainstream nostalgia like "Fried Green Tomatoes" but a breath-taking, silent family drama.

This film was just magical! It was made up of most Tragedies young people go through in the world today. I think the name of the movie is fantastic aswell. Because it fits the end of the story, that you can fly away from your troubles. It definitely one that is worth watching and if you liked this one you should watch where the heart is because its more or less similar. Two young sisters watch their abusive father beat up their mother for the slightest thing. Soon he kills himself and the 3 girls move away. But the mother develops a drinking problem and takes everything out on her two young daughters. One of the young daughters starts visiting a black woman in secret as her mother is set against it. Can Miss Zora help the mother put her life back on track?

I was flicking through the channels and I landed on the Oxygen network. I saw the title Oprah Winfrey presents, "Before Women Had Wings". I had never heard of the movie. I decided to watch it and it sucked! The movie was awful, just like the movie "Beloved"! It was a total waste of film and the ending, well there was no ending. The author of this book must really be disappointed. It was a waste of my time and eye muscles. I like Oprah don't get me wrong, but her acting skills need improvement. I'm tired of seeing Oprah play old women! She needs help in choosing the right parts. It was just a hot mess! If Oprah is not going to give it her all like in the "Color Purple",then she needs to go sit down somewhere!

I've seen the film twice but unfortunately from the scene when Gloria Mary loses her tooth. Tina played the role very well as if you're watching real life scenes not a movie. I was touched by her innocent expressions, childly looks and voice. One of the most heart-touching scenes is that when she asks her mother for a bike. Although her mother refused, she innocently kept talking about the bike. Also, the commentary on the last scenes when Bird described those moments took my feelings to the peak that I was shocked that the film ended that way. I felt so sorry for Bird that I wish to see a part-II when the family gather back. I decided to buy the book and I'm sure that when I read it I will always visualize the same characters as in the movie.

I was lucky enough to pick this up on video. Surely is a great movie with some good acting, and very emotional scenes. Oprah Winfrey worlds richest female, and arguably most-giving celebrity stars as one who tries and helps her new friend from her alcoholic mother and violent path. A low-budget drama, but as mentioned they're several emotional scenes and might shred a tear in your eye. I suggest you all give this a watch, especially if you've had or witnessed the problems illustrated in the movie, it will touch you in a different spot. It's also got a rare opinionated ending, whereas the viewers can decide, if it's a good or bad thing. By all means one of Oprah's best movies, and one to look out for - for every Oprah fan!