Unhook the Stars

the title of this film goes along with the song ..."nothing left to do here, but unhook the stars".... After the death of her husband, Gena Rowlands finds herself in a big house, with no family, and nothing to take... Full review

This movie seems targeted for mature adiences, (over 40). I doubt anyone under that age will truly grasp all of the nuances that make this a terrific movie.... Full review

Unhook The Stars might not be the best movie ever created but it is a good, heartwarming movie. I would say it's at least worth seeing.... Full review

UNHOOK THE STARS (1996) ***1/2 Gena Rowlands, Marisa Tomei, Gerard Depardeau, Jake Lloyd, Moira Kelly, David Sherrill, Bridgitte Wilson, David Thornton, Clint Howard. Excellent acting by Rowlands and Tomei as a widower and a troubled neighbor, respectively, who become friends... Full review

What a collection of screwed up folks. Here we have a woman who has lost control of her life, not to mention her mouth; a permanently aggravated daughter; a goofy wife beater who sings Cocker atrociously; and a hot to... Full review

Gena plays a suburban widow who comes at a crossroad in life. To help her along the journey is her two children who have their own problems to deal with. There is also the loud mouth mother and her little... Full review

I saw this movie about a year before Star Wars: The Phantom Menance came out. It's an enjoyable movie, non-formulaic and with some good acting. I particularly enjoyed Jake Lloyd's performance, which is why I looked forward to seeing him... Full review

This is a story of a mature woman who gets to take care of a little boy,after her own daughter moves out.The two have a great time,and the woman even becomes friends with the boy's mother, who is completely different... Full review

Targeted to the intelligent, non-adolescent. Character driven story, extraordinarily well written. How did this ever get the green light from a major studio? Marisa Tomei displays her trademark ability to portray hard edged, gritty women.... Full review

Two very different women, one a demure, middle-aged woman with an over-bearing son and a rebellious daughter; the other, an "in -your-face" young woman. They are neighbors and find a need for each other in a very human way. Depardieu... Full review

video-friendly moments of subdued intimacy.... ... Full Review

Sometimes they're simply an old story told well. Topping the cast is Cassavetes' mother, the remarkable Gena Rowlands, playing a more stable character than usual. ... Full Review

Unhook the Stars'' is well worth watching as long as it celebrates her specialness -- and that of the luminous actress who plays her. The liveliest scenes in ``Unhook the Stars'' are between the two women, who become unlikely friends when Mildred volunteers to watch Monica's 6-year-old son, J.J. The story, with some surprising developments, hinges on the bond between the boy and Mildred. ... Full Review

It is especially satisfying that this sweetly funny and touching film about a widow trying to build a new life for herself is directed and co-written by Nick Cassavetes, Rowlands' son. Mildred is a suburban widow who tries hard to please her rebellious teenage daughter (Moira Kelly) and her controlling, married son (David Sherrill). ... Full Review

While Rowlands is the main reason to see this endearing film, Cassavetes' directorial debut is so charming and full of compassion...., lenser Phedon Papamichael, editor Petra Von Oelffen and the rest of the crew have contributed to the making of a handsome, extremely enjoyable film.....and Thornton, as the errant husband, excel in smaller but finely etched roles.....brandishes her warmth, sweetness and huge range as one of the most accomplished American actresses working today.....Tomei is perfectly cast as ... Full Review

Film Critic CONVENTIONAL wisdom can be a dull and changeable oracle. A mere year ago, it sized up the state of independent films and found them sadly wanting -- no longer taking risks, content to ape the studio product in... ... Full Article

By KEVIN THOMAS TIMES STAFF WRITER November 1, 1996 Friday November 1, 1996 Gena Rowlands glows in her son Nick Cassavetes' endearing "Unhook the Stars" as a woman coming to the realization that she's reaching a crossroads in her life. ... Full Article

U.S. Distributor: Miramax Films Nick Cassavetes, the son of acclaimed international director John Cassavetes, makes his directorial debut with Unhook the Stars , a pleasantly unsentimental character study of one woman who has difficulty letting go. ... Full Article