Lianna's life is a succession of domestic errands and boring faculty parties, however her heaviest cross to bear is dealing with her waning marriage to Dick. In order to find intellectual stimulus, Lianna takes a college extension child-psychology course taught by Ruth. When Lianna catches Dick having an affair with a young coed, she finds comfort and eventually true love in the arms of Ruth. However, this comes with a price as everything in her life is turned upside down.
Acting
Linda Griffiths' trembling restraint as Lianna discovers herself.
Writing
Sayles' script treats queer love as complicated, not tragic.
Direction
No triumphant coming-out scenes, just messy human moments.
Director
John Sayles
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Sayles self-financed this after 'Return of the Secaucus Seven,' proving indie filmmakers could tell queer stories without Hollywood sanitization. Revolutionary for 1983.
US
