Independence Day

A hidden little gem, and the movie that introduced us to Danne Wiest.

Wonderful movie!! I’ve been waiting for it to come out in dvd format. Love it!!!!

I had first seen this movie in the late 1980s, and was moved by the beautiful story and the impressive performances by all the main actors and actresses. As I have written elsewhere, there are several other such (grossly) neglected sleepers (including Letters from an Unknown Woman and Madame Sousatzka) that ought to be digitized, restored and transferred to DVD format. Each movie in this category has outstanding cultural and human value, and should be available for far wider circulation. Commercial value, as in so much else in human experience, should not be the primary determinant in making this possible.This film tackled the issue of spousal abuse quite powerfully so many years earlier. The barrage of verbal and physical abuse inflicted upon Diane Wiest's character (by primarily her husband, but to a lesser degree by her own father) cannot but fail to tug at one's heart, and impel one to try to remedy such inexcusable cruelty and arrogance.Diane Wiest, David Keith, Frances Sternhagen, Cliff DeYoung- all give sterling and compelling performances in the film. Wiest is the abused wife driven to suicide; Keith the decent and sensitive brother who tries his utmost to support and rescue his sister; Sternhagen is the cancer-stricken mother whose love for her daughter is palpable throughout the story (the scene where she encourages her daughter, played by Kathleen Quinlan, to accept a college scholarship in California so she might study photography, and offers her money to support herself, is truly heartwarming), and DeYoung is the alcoholic wife-beater. The film is not merely an exercise in sentimentality- it tells a realistic story with very believable characters that portray aspects of human character and behavior with great skill.Stacked against such outstanding performances, the work by Kathleen Quinlan shines brighter than the rest. She is grippingly attractive, sensual, articulate, bright, care-free (looking supremely self-confident even when smoking, or watching her flame, David Keith, racing his car) and, most of all, courageous and caring enough to stand up to Diane Wiest's tormentors. Quinlan made this film the cinematic experience it is; the music adds to the dramatic environment in the film also.Clearly, this film in my opinion called for Oscar-level recognition for both Quinlan and Wiest. Yet, as happens quite often, it has languished in the shadows all these years.I cannot sufficiently recommend a DVD release of this beautiful gem of a film.

I saw this movie when it first came out. Throughout the years, I would occasionally recall how much I enjoyed this movie. I was glad it was still available on DVD. Truthfully, I enjoyed the second viewing just as much as the first time. Just a good story of a smalltown boy and his girlfriend with some family tragedy in the background. One is happy stay home and the other has big city aspirations. A recipe for conflict of the heart.

Very slow shipping but then quick delivery, OK price, good movie.

Seen this movie when I was a teenager and wanted to see it again, but could never find it. When I would look for Independence Day, it would always being up that alien movie, when this is the one that I wanted to see. Great movie, and although it is not up to todays movie standards as far as crisp clarity and special effects, it is just an all around good storyline.

Not to be confused with the other "Independence Day" film, this is from the 80's. I loved it when I watched it way back when, and loved it again this time around. I had searched for it for a couple of years before I found it.

It's a good movie, sad, but good.

It was fine.