Plenty (1985)

User Rating:

6.0/10   

Director:

Fred Schepisi

Writers:

David Hare (play)
David Hare (screenplay)

Release Date:

20 September 1985 (USA)

Genre:

Drama

Tagline:

She would settle for nothing less...

Plot:

A young Englishwoman spends 20 years to make whatever kind of life for herself at the expense of others around her in post-World War 2 England.

Plot Keywords:

Resistance | Spy | WWII | Based On Play | Independent Film

Awards:

Nominated for 2 BAFTA Film Awards. Another 2 wins

Cast

Meryl Streep	...	Susan Traherne
Charles Dance	...	Raymond Brock
Tracey Ullman	...	Alice Park
John Gielgud	...	Sir Leonard Darwin
Sting	...	Mick
Ian McKellen	...	Sir Andrew Charleson
Sam Neill	...	Lazar
Burt Kwouk	...	Mr. Aung
André Maranne	...	Villon
Pik Sen Lim	...	Madame Aung
Ian Wallace	...	Medlicoti
Tristram Jellinek	...	Dawncey
Peter Forbes-Robertson	...	Brussells Hotel Manager
Hugo De Vernier	...	Doctor
James Taylor	...	Tony (dead man)

Runtime:

121 min | UK:124 min

Country:

UK | USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

Iceland:L | Singapore:M18 | Argentina:13 | Australia:M | Chile:14 | Finland:K-16 | Sweden:15 | UK:15 | USA:R | West Germany:16

Filming Locations:

Brussels, Belgium

Company:

Pressman Productions

Trivia:

The original Broadway production of "Plenty" by David Hare opened at the Plymouth Theater in New York on January 6, 1983, ran for 92 performances and was nominated for the 1983 Tony Award for the Best Play.

Goofs:

Crew or equipment visible: In the scene where Meryl Streep and Charles Dance meet for the first time in her apartment in England, after he removes her coat and the camera starts a slow dolly in (right after she says "A commute on the cross-channel ferry"), a wheel of the dolly is visible in the reflection of the painting of the cherubs on the wall.

Quotes:

Susan Traherne: You don't understand the figures in my mind!

Movie Connections:

Referenced in The Killing Floor (2007)

A Mesmerising Depiction Of The Power of Memory

PLENTY cast such a spell on me. It is one of those films which has a mood and tone all of its own. It is sombre, dreamy and elegaic. And it features a little seen, yet compelling and masterful central performance from Meryl Streep, who lights up the screen with the type of intelligence and female strength one laments the absence of in contemporary film.

Based on David Hare's play, PLENTY (like so much of his work) boasts wonderfully complex, multi-layered roles for women. Meryl Streep and Tracey Ullmann excel with the intelligent dialogue given to them by this incredible writer - and despite the plethora of strong male actors surrounding them, it is the women whose stories move and interest us the most.

What I love about PLENTY is that so much about it is anti-Hollywood. Its convoluted plot is often incoherent and dreamlike, its dependence upon memories and the co-existence of past and present present challenges for audiences who normally would be sign posted in the 'correct' direction. It has an impressionistic, hypnotic feel, and the film's characters, especially Susan, are unappologetic and potentially dislikeable people. Its narrative resoultion is ambiguous, refusing the closure of more traditional dramas. Here we have a film which refuses to pander to the demands of the mainstream, and for that it is to be applauded.

Is there anything new that any of us can say about Meryl Streep??? This is a must for admirers of the actress, and a must for anyone with a penchant for riveting, deeply intelligent acting. Meryl grabs the part by the throat, investing Susan with a compelling defiance, a fierce intelligence, a sensuality, and a restrained beauty. Watch out for the dinner party scene. I forgot there was anyone else in the room (a room which included Sir John Gielgud and Charles Dance!) Such command, such depth, and such naturalness. This is an actress of phenomenal depth and magnificent expression. And such wonderful chemistry with the other actors! (Even Charles Dance who reportedly was a bit of a diva on set!! I wonder if this helped to enhance the fiery antagonsim between them on screen?)

In sum, PLENTY is deeply complicated, but give it time, watch it more than once and you will be rewarded. For its thoughtful direction, its searing, intricate dialogue and its mesmerising acting - this is a film that deserves to be seen by much larger audiences. Bravo Queen Meryl!!