Although I've always been aware of Marjorie Rawlings, I never read one of her books. I did see the movie "The Yearling", but didn't care much for it. Nevertheless I rather enjoyed this film.
I know there's been a criticism that Mary Steenburgen didn't look like Rawlings. Well sorry, reviewer, Marjorie Main wasn't available. I think Steenburgen did justice to the story; I enjoyed her in the role.
Rip Torn, who I've liked at some periods in his career, and not liked so much in other periods, was darned good here. It's quite a different role for him, and yet he was rather convincing as a backwater hick.
I'm not much of a fan for Peter Coyote, but every once in a while he was rather pleasing in a film...and he is in this one. Dana Hill was quite a popular child actress, but I wasn't impressed here. She was okay, but nothing special. I was disappointed with Alfre Woodard. I rather like Woodard, and here I was unable to get a sense of her as an actress.
I enjoyed the setting here. My mother used to live in central Florida, and although I never had the desire to live there, I always thought "old Florida" was quite beautiful.
Marjorie Rawlings or not, I enjoyed this movie.
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