Conference bookie::movies

934.0. "The Stars Fell in Henrietta" by TROOA::BUTKOVICH (blink and I'm gone) Tue Sep 12 1995 12:08

     The Stars Fell on Henrietta (**.5) - The sponsor for tonights Gala was   
    a group whose name I am sorry I can't remember - they are dedicated to   
    going to high schools and universities and pairing up students with   
    developmentally handicapped adults.  I think it is called "Best   
    Buddies" or something along those lines.  Anthony Shriver gave a very   
    articulate and meaningful description of the organization and then   
    introduced us to one of the founders of the Special Olympics, his
    mother, Eunice (who looked very elegant in a black beaded dress). This   
    had nothing to do with the topic in the movie.  The director, James   
    Keach was the only "star" from the film and it made it more special to   
    watch when he made us aware that this was based on the true story of   
    his grandfather.  I was quite disappointed with the movie - the acting   
    (Robert Duvall, Aidan Quinn, Frances Fisher and Brian Dennehy) was very   
    competent, but I lost interest in the story - the pace was too slow and   
    I didn't really care about the characters.  The story takes place in   
    1935 on the farm of Don and Cora Day (Quinn and Fisher). Don rescues   
    Mr. Cox (Duvall) from a dust storm and soon finds out that Mr. Cox has   
    schemes for the farm which involve drilling for oil.  The movie   
    basically deals with Mr. Cox's dream of the "big strike" and how he   
    goes about trying to make it happen.  The cat was probably the role I   
    liked best!