Product: The Lonely Passion of Judith Hearne [VHS] (1988)
Rating: 5.0
One of the Best Films of the 80's
As Judith, Maggie Smith turns in the performance of a lifetime and oneof the best and most complete portrayals by any actor on film. This isan astonishing film, full of bleak Irish heartbreak, yet with thepromise of hope.Smith is a no less than a revelation in the title role and one cannothelp but route for this desperate character even when all lookshopeless. The screenplay had been fought over for years by actresses ofevery stripe, with, for a while, Jane Fonda, leading the pack ofactresses trying to get Judith onto the screen. It's a good thingMaggie Smith won out.The ensemble cast of actors led by Bob Hoskins is fully up to Smith'sstandard and the emotional wallops this movie packs are big onesindeed.George Delarue's score is simply perfect underlying with the exactweight and gravity - and sweetness - of every situation.When is this thing coming out on DVD? It's simply ridiculous it hasn'tyet appeared.Highest recommendation.