DigiGuide Library

Programme Information

Lee (Meryl Streep) & Bessie (Diane Keaton) are sisters who have been estranged for 17 years.
Bessie has spent the last 20 years looking after her post-stroke father but now she has developed leukemia and she needs Lee and her family's help in finding a bone marrow donor for her only chance of survival.

We soon discover that Lee's son, Hank (Leonardo DiCaprio) has been committed to a mental institute after setting fire to the family home and her younger son, Charlie (Hal Scardino) just seems to be disinterested with everything.

As first Lee is tested and then the boys for the compatibility of their marrow with Bessie's, the two women take stock of their lives and rediscover the meaning of family.

Keywords:

Comedy, Drama, Family, Based-on-Play, Dysfunctional, Independent Film, Relationships, Movie, Film, Movies, Films, Oscar Best Actress Nominee

Additional Information:

(1996) (USA) (3 Star)

Cast:

Meryl Streep	.... Lee
Leonardo DiCaprio	.... Hank
Diane Keaton	.... Bessie
Robert de Niro	.... Dr. Wally
Hume Cronyn	.... Marvin
Gwen Verdon	.... Ruth

Supporting Cast:

Hal Scardino	.... Charlie
Dan Hedaya	.... Bob
Margo Martindale	.... Dr. Charlotte
Cynthia Nixon	.... Retirement Home Director
Kelly Ripa	.... Coral
John Callahan	.... Lance
Olga Merediz	.... Beauty Shop Lady
Joe Lisi	.... Bruno
Steve DuMouchel	.... Gas Station Guy
Bitty Schram	.... Janine
Lizbeth Mackay	.... Novice
Helen Stenborg	.... Nun on Phone
Sally Parrish	.... Nun

Directors:

Jerry Zaks

Writers:

Scott McPherson

Related links