Albany, New York, Halloween, 1938. Francis Phelan and Helen Archer are bums, back in their birth city. She was a singer on the radio, he a major league pitcher. Death surrounds them: she's sick, a pal has cancer, he digs graves at the cemetery and visits the grave of his infant son whom he dropped; visions of his past haunt him, including ghosts of two men he killed. That night, out drinking, Helen tries to sing at a bar. Next day, Fran visits his wife and children and meets a grandson. He could stay, but decides it's not for him. Helen gets their things out of storage and finds a hotel. Amidst their mistakes and dereliction, the film explores their code of fairness and loyalty.
Nominated for 2 Oscars. Another 2 wins & 2 nominations.
Top Critics Reviews
rotten:
Despite its nearly two-and-a-half-hour running time, its superstar cast and its $23 million budget, Mr. Babenco's ''Ironweed'' is skeletal, a mere outline of Mr. Kennedy's far more resonant book.
– Janet Maslin,
New York Times,
20 May 2003
fresh:
At last, a real part for Nicholson to sink his teeth into.
– Geoff Andrew,
Time Out,
24 Jun 2006
rotten:
Unrelentingly bleak, Ironweed is a film without an audience and no reason for being except its own self-importance.
– Variety Staff,
Variety,
26 Mar 2009
rotten:
The film becomes becalmed and confusing; it lacks the novel's great unwavering trajectory.
– Sheila Benson,
Los Angeles Times,
19 Dec 2011
rotten:
Watching "Ironweed" is like having a large, metal object lodged in your brain for 2 1/2 hours. It hurts.