Charms for the Easy Life

The details within the scope of the camera of this film captured an era in which women finally could speak out and not fear being oppressed by men. These three women held a bond which, by today's standard, is cherishable and unique. The script may be old fashion as to leave out the noise and tongue lashings that the audience my only imagine but it also embraces the warmth and love that is special to close knit families. Today's families should see this movie to demonstrate that you can talk back at a certain age and it is alright to ask questions and there should be nothing private inside a family. "Garlic Toast for Breakfast" would not suit as an appropriate title. It is what I will remember.

I fell in love with his film. I came across it by accident and once I saw who was in it I knew it would be good but I had no idea how good. I love Charlie Kates she is so wonderful and they could not have found a better actress to play her. She was the perfect person in this role and brought it to life as I watched her I felt as though I was watching my grandmother. I also felt this was one of Mimi rogers best parts. But I especially love the relationships between them. They were realistic and true to the way women handled things. I loved this film it has become one of my favorite's. This film is full of emotion and great chemistry with the cast. The scenery is beautiful and works well with the story nothing was overdone or underdone.

Joan Micklin Silver, the director of this film has done better before. She must have been attracted to the material. The novel was much better, as usually is the case when the adaptation is from a book and not from a short story.

The film is pleasant to watch, but it seems hollow in parts. Charlie Kate was a determined woman; she gets rid of a husband that is a waste and sets up a domestic practice to help everyone that is sick. She had an innate sense for healing, as the man who she saves from being lynched tells her at the beginning of the film.

Gena Rowlands is good as the indomitable Charlie Kate. When she has good material, this actress excels. The surprise of the film is without a doubt, Mimi Rogers, an actress that is far superior than others of her generation. Unfortunately, she doesn't get what she deserves. The rest of the cast is good too.

This is a nostalgic look of America in the early 40s.

I don't know how I missed this gem of a movie when it was first aired, but I've finally made up for that. I thought it was a terrific little film, and I liked it a lot. Gena Rowlands is superb, as usual, and the story line, though on the slow moving side, held my interest from start to finish. When I first saw it I came in at the middle, but got hooked right away, and stayed with it until the end. I just watched the complete film, today, and my opinion has not changed. Direction and cinematography wee excellent, and the performances, especially Miss Rowlands', were admirable. I felt I was a part of these ladies' lives, and I don't ask much more than that from a film. As some people say, I thought it "worth the price of admission."

I think the director and writer(s) meant well, but this film seems to fall a bit flat. Gena Rowlands is excellent as CK, however, Mimi Rogers is dreadfully overdone. The best performance of the production is Susan May Pratt as Margaret. Her youth and freshness shine through, and my interest in her life and ideas was caught. It seemed that she had far more spirit than her mother, and was more of a match for her grandmother. Though I have not read the book, I would like to.

If you can catch this film on cable, or rent the DVD, it is worth it. That being said, if it had been released in the theatre, it wouldn't have been worth the $12 admission.