Matialth Good concept, poorly executed.

Sexyloutak Absolutely the worst movie.

Afouotos Although it has its amusing moments, in eneral the plot does not convince.

Quiet Muffin This movie tries so hard to be funny, yet it falls flat every time. Just another example of recycled ideas repackaged with women in an attempt to appeal to a certain audience.

tieman64 Based on a Pulitzer Prize winning novel by William Kennedy, "Ironweed" is a somewhat interesting film by director Hector Babenco. Starring Jack Nicholson, Meryl Streep and Tom Waits, the film watches as a trio of homeless bums struggle to survive during the Great Depression.Whilst "Ironweed" contains a number of strong vignettes, particularly a last act sequence in which Nicholson's character attempts to reconnect to the family he abandoned, the film is mostly obvious, melodramatic and paints too narrow a view of the Depression. Elsewhere Nicholson and Streep mistake overacting for naturalism, Babenco's cinematography is washed out and the director demonstrates poor shot selection. The film gathers a series of convincing sets and impressive real locations, but Babenco can't shoot them effectively. Tom Waits stands outs as a dying drunk.7.5/10 – Worth one viewing.

moonspinner55 Alcoholic vagabond Francis Phelan, a former ballplayer and family man before the Depression, returns to the haunts of his hometown, yet is besieged by ghosts from the past. William Kennedy's Pulitzer Prize-winning novel doesn't necessarily make for gripping movie material--all the drama seems to be in this character's past--while the overlay of the bleak economic times coupled with Phelan's ruinous drinking habit diffuses any hope this will be a thoughtful or provocative exercise. Instead it's just a downer, and a very long one at an overstretched 143 minutes. Jack Nicholson (though Oscar-nominated) hasn't much hope in bringing out the complicated psyche of Phelan; Nicholson tries, but he's too modern, and his inflections too familiar, to be convincing in this bleak milieu. Better is Meryl Streep as Phelan's ailing bar-friend who used to be a singer. Streep, who also received a nomination, doesn't have nearly enough screen-time to carve out a three-dimensional characterization, but what she leaves us with is memorable and moving nevertheless, particularly in her "He's Me Pal" fantasy song number. Argentine-born director Hector Babenco would seem an odd choice to helm a picture about very American depressions, though he certainly understands squalor, disease, and personal redemption, and parts of the film pack an honest punch. However, "Ironweed" is too lofty or pretentious, and too cluttered with emotional signposts, to make a genuine connection. The brown and gold-hued cinematography by Lauro Escorel is striking at first but eventually tiresome, and Babenco's pacing is so carefully derived that it embalms the proceedings. ** from ****

donleyt-1 I saw Ironweed when it first came out in 1987 and thought it was a classic. Unfortunately I was one of the few who saw it at the movies. I have seen it several times since and rank it as one of the greatest movies of all time. Hopefully it will be re-discovered. The acting is absolutely first rate. Streep has her finest role and Tom Waits, Carol Baker and Fred Gwynn are excellent. The movie rightly so belongs to Nicholson. This ranks with Chinatown as one of his two finest roles. That's saying a lot for a guy who has 18 Golden Globe and 12 Oscar noms. Jack really plays this role perfectly. He certainly deserved the Oscar for his work- how Michael Douglas won for Wall St. is beyond me. The scene with his daughter- reading a letter that he had sent her years ago has me balling every time I see it. I love movies and this one ranks as one of the true treasures in cinema.

patricklewallen After seeing the two starring actors listed as the top billings in this high rated film, I felt intrigued to view it... so I did. Little did I know I was in for one of the most depressing films of all time with some of the strongest acting ever put forth. Jack Nicholson, as always, puts on a performance for the ages, earning him his well deserved Oscar Nomination. The sinful part, however, is that Meryll Streep did not win her Oscar Nomination. With flawless ease, Streep carried her character through triumph (the one or two we see) and tragedy, letting every moment live inside each viewer. After speaking so highly of this film, you would think I would strongly recommend it. Yet, I would not recommend this film simply because it is just too dark with far too few bright spots. This incredible film deserves to be seen, and if you are just a movie-goer who enjoys a film with more to offer than meets the eye, this is the movie for you. Don't expect to be happy after the film, though - despite the beautiful performances put on by all. Brilliant movie on all accounts. With a few more bright spots, this would be a guaranteed 10/10 film. B+