Unconditional Love (2002)

User Rating:

6.8/10   

Director:

P.J. Hogan

Writers (WGA):

Jocelyn Moorhouse (written by) &
P.J. Hogan (written by)

Release Date:

23 August 2002 (UK)

Genre:

Drama | Comedy | Musical | Thriller

Plot:

After her husband (Aykroyd) leaves her, a woman (Bates) travels to London for the funeral of the pop star...

Plot Keywords:

Funeral | Singer | Homeless | American In The Uk | Midget

Awards:

1 nomination

Cast

Kathy Bates	...	Grace Beasley
Rupert Everett	...	Dirk Simpson
Meredith Eaton	...	Maudey Beasley
Peter Sarsgaard	...	Window Washer
Lynn Redgrave	...	Nola Fox
Stephanie Beacham	...	Harriet Fox-Smith
Richard Briers	...	Barry Moore
Marcia Warren	...	Lynette Fox-Moore
Jack Noseworthy	...	Andrew Beasley
Daniel Wyllie	...	Pete
Dan Aykroyd	...	Max Beasley
Jonathan Pryce	...	Victor Fox
Brenda Pickleman	...	Woman in Red Bra, Jerry Springer guest
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Rose Abdoo	...	Contest winner
Julie Andrews	...	Herself
Ashley Anne Ayer	...	'Hitchcock Railway' dancer
Tim Bohn	...	TV show producer
Nancy Boykin	...	Homeless
William J. Brookes	...	Homeless
Daniel Campbell	...	Baby Pokey
Michael Campbell	...	Baby Pokey
David Darlow	...	Man in Plane
Gwenllian Davies	...	Woman in Pub
Don Elkins	...	TV Reporter
Mark Finney	...	Business Executive
Pat Finn	...	Keith
Heather Goldenhersh	...	Grace's Daughter
Amo Gulinello	...	T.V. Station Intern
Martin Herdman	...	Drunken Man in Pub
Peggy Kusinski-Kinander	...	TV anchor
Anne Lambton	...	Lady in Plane
Beth Littleford	...	Morning Chicago TV Host
Steve Lyke	...	Businessman
Barry Manilow	...	Himself
Stephen Marcus	...	Thug in Rain
Roddy Maude-Roxby	...	Minister
Rosalee Mayeux	...	Woman #1
Joel McKinnon Miller	...	Bartender
Sia A. Moody	...	TV field reporter (as Sia Moody)
Larry Nazimek	...	Copilot
Bill Noble	...	Homeless
Ian Noble	...	Thug in Rain
Elisabeth Oas	...	Talk Show Guest
Cornelia Hayes O'Herlihy	...	Mother
Laura Orrico	...	Back-Up Singer
Roderick Peeples	...	Man in Gun Shop
Sarah Peirse	...	Florist
Greg Pitts	...	Officer Jones
Eyal Podell	...	Officer Romilly
Sally Jessy Raphael	...	Herself
Rudy Roberson	...	Homeless
David Ryall	...	Funeral Director
Bitty Schram	...	Waitress
Rebekah Louise Smith	...	Nurse Mills
Philippa Stanton	...	Waitress in Tea Room
Kaja Stiglic	...	'Hitchcock Railway' dancer
Gregor Truter	...	Dave
Karen Vaccaro	...	Jerry Springer Guest
Javanley Washington	...	Homeless
Doug Wax	...	Navigator
Lisa Nicole Wilkerson	...	'Hitchcock Railway' dancer

Also Known As:

Who Shot Victor Fox (USA) (working title)

MPAA:

Rated PG-13 for thematic elements, sexual content, brief strong language and some violence.

Runtime:

124 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

DTS | Dolby Digital | SDDS

Certification:

Singapore:PG | Iceland:LH | Denmark:7 | Germany:6 | UK:15 | USA:PG-13 | Argentina:13 | Canada:PG (Ontario)

Filming Locations:

Chicago Studio City - 5660 W. Taylor Street, Austin, Chicago, Illinois, USA

Company:

Avery Pix

Trivia:

Shot in 1999, the film stayed on the shelf until it premiered in the US on the Starz cable network on Aug 2, 2003 and then went straight to DVD.

Goofs:

Continuity: When Max, Dirk and Grace are eating breakfast in the diner, the glass Grace is holding changes positions between shots.

Quotes:

Victor Fox: I have sex with other men, but I sleep with you.

Movie Connections:

Spoofs Don't Look Now (1973)

Soundtrack:

Green, Green Grass of Home

A Funny, Touching Movie (that's loaded with talent)!

Whether it is in drama or comedy, I enjoy Kathy Bates's acting. She always presents her character in a real way that isn't a carbon copy of her last role. And in this "particular movie" we get to say, "Man, what a voice that woman has!"

Kathy Bates is wonderfully funny in the role of Grace Beasley whose life is falling a part. Her husband has left her. Her favorite crooner, Victor Fox (Jonathan Pryce), has been murdered while in Grace's home town of Chicago, Illinois. The only moral support in her life comes from her daughter-in-law, Maudey Beasley (Meredith Eaton), who is a little person with a big, understanding heart. (Maudey is married to Grace's only son, Andrew.)

After Victor's death, Grace decides to go to England. She wants to attend his funeral. She desires to be of help to his family. Instead she learns that a young gay man, Dirk Simpson (Rupert Everett) is his family. And that Victor's "blood family" is trying to take everything Victor left to Dirk. (Victor's sisters are played by Lynn Redgrave and Stephanie Beacham.)

Dirk has been hurt by Victor's death and the treatment he has received from the family. So, needless to say, it takes a bit for Grace to gain Dirk's trust. Once she does, she talks him into going to Chicago to solve Victor's murder. The outcome of their hard work turns up surprises concerning Victor's death.

Then there's all that happens to move Grace towards independence, much to the dismay of husband, Max (Dan Aykroyd).

This film is worth your time!

Among the highlights of this movie are the roles played by Julie Andrews and Lynn Redgrave. What fun they added. AND getting to hear Grace (Kathy Bates) sing, along with a surprise accompanist.