Seriously good, powerful, well-observed study of a couple (Finney & Keaton) splitting up and the effect on four children, always seems completely honest. Scene where enraged Finney bursts in and starts beating the eldest daughter Dana Hill I found really upsetting. And the effect on the younger three (Viveca Davis, Tracey Gold, Tina Yothers) is also beautifully studied.
Brilliant screenplay by Bo Goldman (Oscar winner for Melvin and Howard and Cuckoo's Nest).
Beautifully shot by Michael Seresin. Edited by Gerry Hambling.
With Nancy Allen, Peter Weller. The leads are as good as you'd expect.
Too close to reality for comfort to make it one we'll not be able to watch often.
Parker died last year, 76. The Life of David Gale was his last, in 2003. At one point, the kids are all singing a song from Fame, and there's a poster for Pink Floyd's The Wall on Dana's bedroom wall - he directed both films.
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