Kate Soffel is married to a prison warden in Pittsburgh, and is the mother of their four children. Ed Biddle is a convicted murderer awaiting execution on death row with his brother Jack. When Kate meets Eddie through her Bible readings to the prisoners, she is drawn to him, and they pursue a clandestine relationship. She agrees to help the brothers escape, and begins a treacherous journey with them to freedom in Canada.
Direction
Armstrong's unflinching gaze at female longing in patriarchal cages.
Acting
Keaton's trembling restraint—every blink is a revolution.
Cinematography
Frozen Pittsburgh landscapes that mirror Kate's emotional imprisonment.
Director
Gillian Armstrong
Diane Keaton
Kate Soffel
Mel Gibson
Ed Biddle
Matthew Modine
Jack Biddle
Edward Herrmann
Warden Peter Soffel
Trini Alvarado
Irene Soffel
Jennifer Dundas
Margaret Soffel
Danny Corkill
Eddie Soffel
Harley Cross
Clarence Soffel
Terry O'Quinn
Detective Buck McGovern
Pippa Pearthree
Maggie
William Youmans
Guard George Koslow
Maury Chaykin
Guard Charlie Reynolds
Wayne Robson
Halliday
Dana Wheeler-Nicholson
Jessie Bodyne
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Armstrong made this between My Brilliant Career and Little Women, completing her unofficial trilogy of women transcending their eras.
US
