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Movies / On DVD / One True Thing
One True Thing

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One True Thing (1998)

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Reviews Counted:61

Fresh:54

Rotten:7

Average Rating:7.2/10

Consensus: Solid performances lift this drama to a higher level.

Runtime: 2 hrs 8 mins

Genre: Dramas

Synopsis: ONE TRUE THING tells the sobering story of a family whose strength is tested when tragedy strikes. Ellen Gulden (Renee Zellweger), a writer living in New York City, has dedicated her life to... ONE TRUE THING tells the sobering story of a family whose strength is tested when tragedy strikes. Ellen Gulden (Renee Zellweger), a writer living in New York City, has dedicated her life to becoming a successful journalist. When she learns that her mother, Kate (Meryl Streep--nominated for an Oscar for her performance) is dying of cancer, her life is forever altered. Ellen's father, George Gulden (William Hurt), a National Book Award winner and university professor, pressures her into moving home and sacrificing her own life for her mother's sake. The pressure of running the household combined with the pain of seeing her mother grow terminally ill threatens to overwhelm Ellen, and she is further upset when she discovers that her father may not be the ideal she thought he was. Based on the book by journalist Anna Quindlen, ONE TRUE THING tackles its serious subject matter without becoming heavy-handed, a tribute to Carl Franklin's (ONE FALSE MOVE) accomplished, compassionate direction. [More]

Starring: Meryl Streep, Renée Zellweger, William Hurt, Tom Everett Scott

Starring: Meryl Streep, Renée Zellweger, William Hurt, Tom Everett Scott, Lauren Graham, Nicky Katt, James Eckhouse, Patrick Breen, Gerrit Graham

Director: Carl Franklin

Director: Carl Franklin
Screenwriter: Karen Croner
Producer: Jesse Beaton, Harry J. Ufland
Composer: Cliff Eidelman

[See More Credits]

Reviews for One True Thing

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21 - 40 (sorted by date; UK critics are listed first)
Text View | |< << 1 2 3 4 >> >|
Arrange By:Fresh | Rotten | Comments | Name | Source | Date
 
 

Streep's performance makes the movie worth seeing.

comment Comment
01/01/00
Bob Fenster
Bob Fenster
Arizona Republic

It's a sad film that deals with tragic events. But the appeals to emotion are wholly honest and not the least bit crude.

Full Review Source: Apollo Guide | comment Comment
01/01/00
Brian Webster
Brian Webster
Apollo Guide

Unfortunately, director Carl Franklin paces the film with a dirge-like rhythm. And its lengthiness is hardly mitigated by William Hurt's lackluster performance.

Full Review Source: Film Journal International | comment Comment
01/01/00
Bruce Feld
Bruce Feld
Film Journal International

Pumps new life into the dying-nobly-of-a-horrible-disease genre

Full Review Source: AboutFilm.com | comment Comment
01/01/00
Carlo Cavagna
Carlo Cavagna
AboutFilm.com

Typical Meryl, as Streep Streeps her way through another wintry family crisis movie.

Full Review Source: Filmcritic.com | comment Comment
01/01/00
Christopher Null
Christopher Null
Filmcritic.com

It's Streep to the max!

comment Comment
01/01/00
David Elliott
David Elliott
San Diego Union-Tribune

Heartfelt acting and imaginative filmmaking transform soap-opera into an affecting screen experience.

Full Review Source: Christian Science Monitor | comment Comment
01/01/00
David Sterritt
David Sterritt
Christian Science Monitor

Honest, perceptive and moving!

Full Review Source: NUVO Newsweekly | comment Comment
01/01/00
Edward Johnson-Ott
Edward Johnson-Ott
NUVO Newsweekly

We're here for the acting, and we get it.

Full Review Source: Compuserve | comment Comment
01/01/00
Harvey S. Karten
Harvey S. Karten
Compuserve

The one true thing to remember about this film is how worthwhile it is.

Full Review Source: Rochester Democrat and Chronicle | comment Comment
01/01/00
Jack Garner
Jack Garner
Rochester Democrat and Chronicle

Although the plot rarely excels, the actors bring enough to their roles to transform this motion picture into a satisfying weeper.

Full Review Source: ReelViews | comment Comment
01/01/00
James Berardinelli
James Berardinelli
ReelViews

One True Thing is real enough to be a film you can believe in.

Full Review Source: New York Times | comment Comment
01/01/00
Janet Maslin
Janet Maslin
New York Times
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Streep manages to transcend the material and outshine her other fellow cast members to such a degree that you wish they and the material were at least as good as she is.

Full Review Source: Deseret News, Salt Lake City | comment Comment
01/01/00
Jeff Vice
Jeff Vice
Deseret News, Salt Lake City

Streep's performance mesmerizes, but it is Zellweger's engrossing portrayal as the selfish daughter that sells her as a serious Hollywood actress.

comment Comment
01/01/00
Jennifer Nowitzky
Jennifer Nowitzky
TNT's Rough Cut

Superb cast, excellent performances, well-written script and great direction!

Full Review Source: Screen It! | comment Comment
01/01/00
Jim Judy
Jim Judy
Screen It!

Yes, Meryl Streep is phenomenal again!

comment Comment
01/01/00
Kevin Maynard
Kevin Maynard
Mr. Showbiz

An emotional drama!

comment Comment
01/01/00
Lisa Schwarzbaum
Lisa Schwarzbaum
Entertainment Weekly

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Cinematter | comment Comment
01/01/00
Madeleine Williams
Madeleine Williams
Cinematter

The film rests firmly on the shoulders of Streep and, to a lesser degree, Zellweger. Their performances, and Carl Franklin's understated direction keep the tears and life-affirming revelations from congealing into chicken shmaltz for the soul.

Full Review Source: Boxoffice Magazine | comment Comment
01/01/00
Maitland McDonagh
Maitland McDonagh
Boxoffice Magazine

The actors are all phenomenally affecting, and Carl Franklin's direction and Declan Quinn's camerawork make the most of the little moments that pass between people.

Full Review Source: Austin Chronicle | comment Comment
01/01/00
Marjorie Baumgarten
Marjorie Baumgarten
Austin Chronicle
 
 
21 - 40 (sorted by date; UK critics are listed first)
Text View | |< << 1 2 3 4 >> >|
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