Details
Movie Description
James Ivory directed this moving, well-acted coming-of-age drama about a famous writer and expatriate, Bill Willis (Kris Kristofferson), and his family, who live in France after World War II. Bill and his wife, Marcella (Barbara Hershey), raise their daughter, Channe (Leelee Sobieski), and adopted son, Billy (Jesse Bradford), with a great deal of freedom and love. But when Bill decides to move the family back to the United States for medical reasons, the kids have trouble adapting to American life. The film is based on the autobiographical novel by Kaylie Jones, daughter of writer James Jones (FROM HERE TO ETERNITY, THE THIN RED LINE).
Synopsis
Bill Willis (Kris Kristofferson) is a famous author living in France after World War II whose children have trouble adjusting to life back in the U.S. when they move back. This moving film, a touching coming-of-age drama with a breakout performance by newcomer Leelee Sobieski, is from Merchant-Ivory (HOWARDS END, A ROOM WITH A VIEW).
Film Notes
Theatrical release: September 18, 1998.
The film was shot in Paris and North Carolina.
Writer Kaylie Jones based her novel A SOLDIER'S DAUGHTER NEVER CRIES on her own experiences as the daughter of novelist James Jones (FROM HERE TO ETERNITY), who, like Bill Willis in the film, lived in Paris with his wife and two children until returning to America for fear his kids would turn into "Eurotrash brats."
MR. AND MRS. BRIDGE coproducer Robert Halmi, Sr. brought the novel to Ivory’s attention; Ivory sympathized with the story of a misplaced family and wanted to film in Paris again after QUARTET and MR. AND MRS. BRIDGE
Leelee Sobieski, singled out for her breakout performance, went on to star as Joan of Arc on television. She also appeared in Stanley Kubrick's last film, the provocative EYES WIDE SHUT.
Industry Reviews
"...Virginie Ledoyen is a bundle of icy charm....It stands with the most impressive pictures of [the year]..."
Anderson
"...[Kristofferson] exudes an understated gentleness reminiscent of TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD's Atticus Finch..."
Premiere - Glenn Kenny (10/01/1998)
"...[The film] creates a colorful panorama of people and places..."
New York Times - Janet Maslin (09/18/1998)
"...[Merchant and Ivory] make a glorious return to form with A SOLDIER'S DAUGHTER NEVER CRIES....The usual Merchant/Ivory 'givens' remain splendidly intact..."
Box Office - Wade Major (09/01/1998)
"...SOLDIER'S DAUGHTER manages to get under the skin in unpredictable ways..."
Los Angeles Times - Kenneth Turan (09/18/1998)
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