Cross Creek DVD

I bought this film when it came out on dvd a few decades back. I still love it. It is a beautifully crafted film with a lot of heart thanks to gifted direction and actors and production. I have watched it many times, and it never gets old. The good ones never do. That it is based on a true story makes it that much more interesting, and the slower pace of the film reflects the life lived at the time. Everything was slower and simpler then. Enjoy Read more

Mary Steenburgen, playing Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings, should have won her own Academy Award for her performance. She also is presented in a 17 minute featurette called Cross Creek: A Look Back with Mary Steenburgen. That is a great extra included on the DVD. Rip Torn, playing a Cross Creek swamp father of a local family, and Alfre Woodard, playing Rawling's live-in housekeeper, both were nominated for best supporting roles. The entire cast makes this a pleasant story to watch. Rawlings (this a true story) struggles with her writing ability on a backwoods orange farm bought for the seclusion. What she discovers is a group of neighborhood people that she eventually becomes a part of. Because of the Florida bayou move and leaving her husband, the stage is set for some very remarkable stories to be written. Others have mentioned "The Yearling" (1938) which won Rawlings a Pulitzer-Prize. Besides that and Cross Creek (1942) she also wrote South Moon Under, 1933; Golden Apples, 1935; When the Whipperwill, 1940; Jacob's ladder, 1950; The Sojourner, 1953; and Secret River in 1955. Because of this movie I want so much to read "Jacob's Ladder". Hopefully someone will discover the delights in these other stories by Rawlings and create another movie version. Cross Creek ends with delight and leaving the viewer wanting more. Mary Steenburgen makes you want to visit Florida and Cross Creek for a long vacation and interaction with the folks living there. And of course, while there, to thank Marjorie Keenan Rawlings in person for her stories. The Florida setting is great and the movie is rated PG which also could represent "Pleasantly Grandiose". Many consider the story to have a theme of "women's independence" but I feel Rawlings shows the struggle in all, men and women, for achievement and success through inner ability and desire. Truly a story for the whole family, just like The Yearling. Read more

A classic that has only gotten better with age. I read "The Yearling" in middle school. I have it now on my Kindle and it is such a well-written book with many lesson still to b learned. This biographical movie is extremely well done and introduced me to Mary Steenburgen who is still great. She actually pretty much looks the same! It was also the first time I had seen another great actress, Alfe Woodard, who also still looks pretty much the same. In any case, this move follows the life soon after the divorce of Marjorie Kinnan Rowlings and how she went from New York society to Southern rural orange farming on the bayou. It is beautifully shot, wonderfully acted and evocative of the South at the time of the Roaring 20's. In a place where life was a struggle, people lived hand to mouth and trust and humanity and being true to your neighbors counted for something. This is not an action packed, car crash type of movie. The pace is slow and the focus is upon human relations and culpability of actions. So, if you don't like movies that "talk" a lot and lack action, this isn't for you. If you are interested in good literature, feminism, the rural South and history, then this movie IS for you. I'm not sure if Alfre Woodard or Mary Steenburgen have won Academy awards but, they certainly should have! Read more

One of the best movies I have ever seen! I experienced all of the ranges of emotions. It is funny, sincere, caring, sad, & truthful. The hardships they endure are so engaging, a real emotional roller coaster ride brought to life by this movie! You actually can feel like your a "Visitor" instead of a movie watcher. They (the actors) draw you in and leave you wondering what you would do if it were you in their situations. I was also totally captivated by the scenery! I feel honored to have been able to see this movie. I would recommend that the "WORLD" watch it! This movie has something for everyone from the start! So many different ways of living, and they all come together just to define "True Neighbors". Read more

This is one of the most beautiful films I've ever seen. Everything about this film says "beauty". From the beautiful storyline to beautiful scenery this film tugs at your heartstrings. Mary Steenburgen is perfect (and yes beautiful!) as Marjorie Rawlings who seeks to discover her true calling in the Florida backwoods. The music is....well beautiful. I wish a soundtrack was available for this film, as I would buy it in a second. By the way, this film received a 5 minute standing ovation at Sundance. Why? Because it delivers the goods. If you are looking for a film to "fill your heart", you found it. Watch and enjoy. I hope I run into Mary Steenburgen one day (quite possible here in L.A.) as I want to tell her how great and beautiful she was in this film (it's important that she know!!!) Read more

Martin Ritt loved to romanticize what he saw as the simple, virtuous, poor people of the South. He generally did this from his left-wing POV as a New York intellectual (I've a similar but less elitist POV). That's what he does, here with an origin story about the author. Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings. It is well acted and well told - if a little dated and condescending. The performances are good but the writing is a bit synthetic. Read more