Directed by:
Robert AltmanCinematography:
Pierre MignotCast:
Sandy Dennis, Cher, Karen Black, Sudie Bond, Kathy Bates, Marta Heflin, Caroline Aaron, Mark Patton, Dianne TravisVOD (1)
Plots(1)
Five women who grew up together in a small Texas town idolizing James Dean reunite 20 years later at a local dime store and discuss their lives and loves, illusion and reality. The most touching moment comes when Sandy Dennis, who has deluded herself for years, finally accepts that Dean was not the father of her illegitimate child. Director Robert Altman, turning Super 16mm cameras on the cast that he directed on Broadway in Ed Graczycks play, captures the vitality of live performances from each of his actors. Using much technical invention, Altman does his best to invest his uncinematic material with a cinematic feel, but if COME BACK TO THE 5 & DIME, JIMMY DEAN, JIMMY DEAN still looks like a filmed play, it is nonetheless presented with great sensitivity. Karen Black, Cher, and Dennis contribute especially fine performances to this insightful film that was shot in just 19 days. (official distributor synopsis)
(more)Reviews (1)
A film transcript of the play with the same name. Come Back to the Five and Dime, Jimmy Dean, Jimmy Dean premiered in 1976 and brought back nostalgia for the 50s; 20 years later, the James Dean fan club reunites and constantly discusses references to his films and memorabilia. It is an interesting perspective on women's film, in which the heroines are still defined by a film star who has been dead for 20 years. Films like Giant have truly been idolized even among professional cinephiles, so it's no wonder that the former group of fans still lives through the original experience. Cher launched her famous solo acting career here, and Sandy Dennis, Sudie Bond (who reunited with Cher in Silkwood), and the still charming Kathy Bates were also excellent.
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