Movie spotlight
Cold Sassy Tree
In the early 20th century, an independent lady from up North causes a scandal when she decides to wed an older local general-store owner just three weeks after he's been widowed.
Insights
Plot Summary
In 1900 Georgia, 17-year-old Lollie Sue "Lolie" May lives a sheltered life in her grandmother's rural home. When her grandfather dies, her young and vivacious grandmother, Mattie Lou, unexpectedly decides to marry the much younger, charismatic traveling salesman, R.J. McPherson. Lolie struggles to understand this sudden change and the implications it has for her family and community.
Critical Reception
The television film adaptation of Olive Ann Burns' novel 'Cold Sassy Tree' was generally well-received for its strong performances, particularly from Helen Mirren and Richard Widmark, and its faithful adaptation of the source material. It captured the nuances of small-town Southern life and the complexities of family relationships, resonating with audiences for its portrayal of grief, change, and unconventional love.
What Reviewers Say
Praised for its compelling performances by its veteran cast.
Appreciated for its sensitive handling of themes like grief and societal expectations.
Noted for its authentic depiction of turn-of-the-century Southern life.
Google audience: Audience reception information for this specific television film is not widely available through general Google user reviews.
Fun Fact
The film was based on the semi-autobiographical novel of the same name by Olive Ann Burns, which was published in 1984, seven years after her death.
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