Cinema surveillance images are loading at the bottom of the page

A soldier's daughter never cries

Threat advisory: High - High risk of entertaining activities

Propaganda

A soldier's daughter never cries is the story of an American family living in Paris in the 60s and 70s, told from the point of view of the daughter, Channe (Luisa Conlon and Leelee Sobieski). The father, Bill Willis (Kris Kristofferson) is a successful expatriate writer (based on storywriter Kaylie Jones' father, the writer James Jones), A WWII vet haunted by his experiences in the Pacific. His wife, Marcella (Barbara Hershey), is an emotional, fun-loving woman. The film opens the day 6-year-old Benoît (Samuel Gruen), a French orphan, is brought into the family for adoption.

Also starring Jesse Bradford as grown-up Benoît/Billy, and Dominique Blanc as Candida. Directed by James Ivory and produced by Ismail Merchant (hands up everyone who knew that Merchant and Ivory were people and not just a catchy name for a production company).

Intelligence analyst

Special Agent Matti

Theatrical report

Pretty much what the Propaganda says, although I am aware that that doesn't tell you much, does it?

First off, don't be fooled by the Merchant/Ivory involvement as the only period stuff are flares and glossy pink lipstick. This film is about baby boomers. Having said that, it's not too bad a story (as in who really cares about baby boomers, anyway?); it's involving, human, emotional, and (joy of joys) autobiographical.

All the actors are good, but I will single out Kris Kristofferson for giving the best performance I have ever seen him do: he's relaxed, intense yet subtle, open, giving and funny. Samuel and Luisa as the young versions of the brother and sister perform with the disarming honesty that children often do. Their older versions are more hampered by having to be somewhat dazed and confused by life changes, not to mention hormonal ones, but they are also very good. As mentioned previously, everyone is good.

I haven't read the book, so I can't say whether the structure is an invention or a faithful representation, but it doesn't make for a particularly easy film to watch. You will have to have your brain in the on position to get the most out of A soldier's daughter never cries. This is a good thing, however, because it's the sort of film that benefits from an alert and intelligent audience; there are many, many layers of meaning for you to enjoy.

This is a good, solid film which will appeal to the intelligentsia and the arty set, and well worth seeing.

PS: Anthony Ross Costanzo as Francis Fortescue (the high school friend of Channe) sings all the stuff you see and hear him do. What a voice!

Security censorship classification

M (Low level coarse language)

Not for public release in Australia before date

Film: 28 January 1999