A workaholic father becomes sole parent to his two young sons, and finds it hard to relate to them, consumed as he is with his own grief.
Acting
Gene Hackman weaponizes restraint; Henry Thomas matches him beat for beat.
Cinematography
Tunisia's heat becomes a character—suffocating, beautiful, indifferent.
Direction
Schatzberg lets silences scar; no score manipulation needed.
Director
Jerry Schatzberg
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Henry Thomas filmed this between E.T. and Cloak & Dagger—his 'trauma kid' era was prolific.
A rare Hollywood production shot entirely in Tunisia during the early 80s; the exotic location underscores the family's isolation rather than providing escape.
US
