The Loss of a Teardrop Diamond

For those of us who don't get to the theater much and depend on the cinema for our acting thrills, this film is just downright fun. The fact that it got made in this century is a pleasant and amusing surprise. Like "An Education", this film features a few strong unknown cast that are outstanding. It also features phenomenal stars Ellen Burstyn and Ann-Margret in wonderful, surprising cameos. Chris Evans shines-has their been a sexier role for a young actor? Bryce Dallas Howard is a wonder, and really pulls off a very demanding leading place in this film. Now blink you eyes and the plot takes you to a movie experience from before 1950. But that is exactly what is so fun. Southern style romance, twisted identical twins, dead bodies up the stairs-it is also somewhat predicable but very lovingly portrayed. I really like this film, exactly because I love the experience of pulling up to a movie theater on a cold winter night a getting the same good time my parents did in their day-a warm, sweet and somewhat bitter romance with a clear sense of time and place.

Don't go to this film expecting fireworks. Go for movie magic served Southern style by actors who are real and very good. This is what entertainment is about, and unfortunately it is a lost art these days.

I am a major fan of the works of Tennessee Williams and have everything that he has ever wrote that has been published. I also have all of the original 15 film adaptations of his work and all the remakes over the years. Tennesee Williams wrote this screenplay in 1980, but it was published posthumously in 1984. Then, we had to wait 24 years for it to be filmed. From my research, the film was made in 2008, but not released until January 2010. I do not understand the film industry's priorities that would withhold a film for two years. The film follows Tennessee Williams' screenplay very closely except for an added first scene that sets the tone for the screenplay's first scene where the underlying conflict is discussed but not shown. For most viewers, this added additional scene makes the conflict more understood rather than relying on the dialog to pick it up. It is refreshing to see a Tennessee Williams film where his screenplay is used. The majority of the screenplays for the 15 classic films were written by Gore Vidal to "clean them up" for audiences and censors. I will not discuss a synopsis of the film's characters and action. Instead, I recommend that if you like the drama of Tennessee Williams that you see this new film.

It's hard not to call this movie a gem because of its title and since other people have in their reviews, but it really is.

I can see why people didn't like this that much in 2008, but I think if this were released today it would get at least slightly higher reviews.

I've never heard of the play before seeing the movie, so it's definitely still good even if watched without knowledge of it.

Fans of movies about human behavior will probably love this, but I think it's still a good movie even if you don't particularly like movies about in-depth characters, etc.

As a rule I despise the collective works of Tennessee Williams, but this production really works. Everything from the authentic costumes and sets to the collection of actors (a far cry from the melodramatic Leigh, Taylor, Brando and rest of the troupe of old previously favored for earlier renditions of Williams' work). Chris Evans and Bryce Dallas give an amazing performance, and compliments to the remaining cast and crew for making an awful piece of literature come alive in a most surprisingly delightful way.

Story by Tennessee Williiams. So there will be crying, pain, jealousy, heartbreak. And it will all take place in the south. Bryce Howard (Opie's daughter!) is the educated, but not so refined Fisher Willow, who hires local boy Jimmy (Chris Evans) to accompany her to the local summer events. She's definitely upper class, but has a pretty firm grip on what's going on, and appreciates people, in spite of their current situations. Not sure what the dance show by the young girls was showing us... was that an illustration of the lack of good entertainment at the time? Things go swell... until FIsher loses an expensive earring. And that changes everything. She spends time with old miss Addie (Ellen Burstyn), and they learn from each other. And Jimmy learns some lessons of his own that same night. Some fun co-stars... AnnMargret (Cornelia), Will Patton was the evil assistant in the 1987 No Way Out. It's typical Tennessee. Directed by Jodie Markell. Really good! Not as miserable as expected. Williams sure did have a hand on the pulse of feelings and honesty.