A Dangerous Woman (movie)

A Dangerous Woman is a 1993 romantic drama movie. It was partly based on the same-named novel by Mary McGarry Morris. It was released three weeks before Christmas in 1993.

The plot

Martha Horgan (played by Debra Winger) is a cognitively troubled woman trying to have a normal life. While working at a local dry cleaner, she is accused of stealing money from the cash register. Martha is then fired. But she believes and thinks that the thefts were done by the boyfriend of her colleague Birdie. The boyfriend's name is Getso.

Martha is later depressed and returns to the house of her Aunt Frances (played by Barbara Hershey). She discovers a handyman named Mackey (played by Gabriel Byrne) is hired to repair the home's porch. Aunt Frances plans an event for a local politician. The politician's wife was angry following her husband's affair with Frances. So she drove right into the porch and damaged it on purpose.

Mackey is nice with Martha. He defends her against Getso because Getso is insulting and bullying her. Mackey smashes the windshield of Getso's van.

But then one night Mackey returns home while drunk to Martha's home, lets himself in and has sex with her while she's on her sofa. Mackey later has sex with Aunt Frances (who happens being also drunk that night).

The cast
 Actor Role Debra Winger  Martha Horgan - Niece Barbara Hershey  Frances Beechum - Aunt Gabriel Byrne  Colin 'Mac' Mackey - Alcoholic Handyman Laurie Metcalf  Anita Bell - Steve's Wife John Terry  Steve Bell - Politician Maggie Gyllenhaal  Patsy Bell - Steve's Daughter Jake Gyllenhaal  Edward (as Jacob Gyllenhaal) Chloe Webb  Birdie Drusser - Martha's Friend David Strathairn  Getso - Petty Crook Jan Hooks  Make-up Saleslady Richard Riehle  John - Drycleaning Boss  

Reception
Janet Maslin of The New York Times liked the movie and some of the direction of the cast. However, she thought A Dangerous Woman was more like melodrama than normal drama.

Rotten Tomatoes rated the movie only 47% with fifteen reviews.

For her performance, Winger was nominated for a Golden Globe Award. She won the Best Actress Award at the Tokyo International Film Festival.

References

Category:1993 romantic drama movies
Category:Award winning movies