Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #3090 in DVD
• Released on: 2004-04-19
• Rating: Parental Guidance
• Aspect ratio: 1.78:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Formats: PAL, Widescreen
• Original language: English
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 110 minutes

Synopsis
Birdee (Sandra Bullock) is an unassuming housewife whose life is disrupted when her husband (Michael Pare) reveals his infidelity to her on a Jerry Springer style chat show. She goes home to her mother and the small town in which she grew up where everyone knows of her televised marital collapse. Things only get worse as a family tragedy brings her ex-husband back for an official divorce. Meanwhile an old friend, Justin (Harry Connick Jr.), has entered her life, sparking a romance. While Justin's intentions are clear and good, Birdee struggles with the decision to let him fully into her life. This 1998 sleeper of a film was a pet project of leading actress Bullock and became a surprise hit, touching the hearts of its viewers.

Customer Reviews

SANDRA BULLOCK CHARMS...HARRY CONNICK, JR. SIZZLES...
Forest Whitaker's directorial efforts pay off, as he presents the viewer with a solid, though predictable, romance. The ever charming and coltish Sandra Bullock gives a strong performance as Birdie Pruitt, who has just found out on national television that her husband Bill is having an affair with her erstwhile best friend, Connie. Shocked, she is left to cope with this very public betrayal.

Birdie takes their daughter, Bernice, and leaves her husband, returning to her small town roots in Smithville, Texas, where her mom, an eccentric but lovely lady, wonderfully played by Gena Rowlands, still lives. As a teenager, Birdie had been a big fish in a small pond, a popular high school cheerleader who had ended up marrying the high school star quarterback, Queen of Corn three years running, and the envy of most of the young women with whom she grew up. She now finds herself returning home with her tail between her legs, her fairy tale life having taken a decided nosedive.

While home, some of those who remember her manage to get their digs in. One person, however, a sensitive and sensual good ol' boy, Justin Matisse, played to sexy perfection by Harry Connick, Jr., remembers her with fond affection, as he has loved her since they were in high school. He is there, just waiting to pick up the pieces.

A beautiful romantic drama
Birdee is invited on a talk show and then her best friend tells her that she's having an affair with her husband. After the show Birdee moves with her daughter, Bernice, back to her mother's house (which is situated in a small town). Her father is ill (we find out more about that later). Bernice's cousin, Travis, is also staying at there.

From very early on Justin tries to woo her (with a lot of unsubtle hints from her mother).

It's Birdee's story and follows her as she deals with the aftermath of her marriage collapsing. It's also about Birdee's relationships with her family (especially her mother and her daughter) and others.

What I loved about the film was the fact that it was character driven and the characters are 3 dimensional (at least the main ones are). The whole thing feels real and, therefore, is more touching. I had tears rolling down my cheeks watching it.

A poignant, bitter-sweet, tear-jerker with a hint of comedy.
I first saw this film when it was shown at the Odean in Holloway Road, London. I was captivated from the first opening scenes and spent most of the film with a lump in my throat, determined not to cry, although I did shed a few silent tears (I drew the line at sobbing - public displays are not my thing!). The acting was superb and it had great atmospheric conotations. Harry Connick Jnr. took me by surprise as the romantic lead and I would just like to say that he has gone up in my estimations for sheer sex appeal alone! Brilliant film for a girlie night in! Box of tissues, bag of tortilla chips with dip, chocolates and some beer. Sorted!