Martha Horgan is a withdrawn, mentally disabled woman who lives with her aunt, Frances. One of Martha's unusual traits is that she doesn't lie, a quality that leads to her getting fired from a dry-cleaning shop thanks to the actions of the shifty Getso. Conflict seems to follow Martha, since she also becomes romantically involved with local fix-it man, Mackey, who is sleeping with Frances as well.
Acting
Winger's physicality—never once plays the disability for sympathy.
Direction
Gyllenhaal lets scenes breathe past comfort zones.
Director
Stephen Gyllenhaal
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Winger spent months at a facility for adults with developmental disabilities; the cast was kept from her until filming to capture authentic first reactions.
The 1990s briefly allowed this kind of unflinching disability portrayal—compare to Rain Man's savant fantasy or Forrest Gump's magical thinking. Hollywood retreated fast.
No ratings yet
Sign in to join the discussion — comments are spoiler-gated to your watch progress.
Discussion starters
MO
US
