Marvin's Room (1996) DVD Reviews

Starring	Meryl Streep, Leonardo DiCaprio, Diane Keaton, Robert De Niro
Director	Jerry Zaks
Genres	Drama

Critics' reviews (6) of Marvin's Room
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Based on the play by Scott McPherson, who adapted his work for the screen before dying of an Aids-related illness, this drama never quite escapes its theatrical roots. Nevertheless, this character-driven tale benefits from a clutch of restrained and impressive performances, including one from a pre-Titanic Leonardo DiCaprio. Diane Keaton plays a carer who has been looking after her bedridden father for years, but who is forced to ask her estranged sister Meryl Streep for help after she is told she has leukaemia. To complicate family relations further, Streep arrives with her two sons — Hal Scardino and DiCaprio — and a stubbornness that makes you realise why the sisters have stayed apart for so long. Keaton was nominated for an Oscar for her portrayal of the proud spinster battling a debilitating disease, but kudos should go to the entire cast, especially Hume Cronyn as the grumpy dad and Gwen Verdon as an eccentric aunt whom Keaton also looks after.
- Radio Times
- Posted 29 Jan 2006
A movie that betrays its theatrical origins, and which gives its cast the opportunity for acting with the stops full out, of which they take full advantage.
- Halliwell's Film Guide
- Posted 02 Mar 2006
Hairdresser and single mum Lee (Streep), struggling with rebellious teenager Hank (DiCaprio), gets an invitation to... read more on Time Out
- Time Out
- Posted 04 Nov 2008
Most helpful members' reviews (3) of Marvin's Room
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8 out of 8 people found this review helpful

Surprisingly funny and uplifting

It could have been Hollywood cheesy schmaltz, but instead it feels like an independent film with an A-list cast.

All the performances are great. Diane Keaton?s in particular is brilliant as a mother who is trying to keep her family together at all costs even when she faces bad news from her doctor (Robert DeNiro). This film, although tackling what could be a depressing subject, has a lot of comedy in it, and possess a great deal of funny moments along with some very touching ones, resulting in a thoughtful but uplifting film.

Robert DeNiro plays a very different role from those he usually does, and this results in a genuinely very funny (not in a Meet The Parents kind of way), quirky performance.

This film is a must see for anyone who likes films with good performances from all actors. It wasn?t a film I was expecting to like, but after watching it I had to go out and buy it straight away .
- - Justin Berry from Watford, England
  - Posted 26 Jul 2004 13:03
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful

Touching

This a a teary one. The cast is fantastic. The performances by Diane and Meryl are outstanding.

Therefore the pace of the story became almost secondary because I was enjoying the relationship between the characters so much.

Definately one to have watched.
- - CV from Kent
  - Posted 11 Oct 2005 11:48
1 out of 1 person found this review helpful

Great film

Had no expectations for this film, only rented it because Leonardo Di Caprio was FANTASTIC in what's eating Gilbert Grape. It was a nice film, moving storyline about a woman battling cancer but it was funny too and I laughed at a number of scenes. Worth a watch but not if you're feeling depressed!
- - MUNGO from ALLOA
  - Posted 09 Mar 2006 13:04
Most recent members' reviews (2) of Marvin's Room
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1 out of 1 person found this review helpful

Great film

Had no expectations for this film, only rented it because Leonardo Di Caprio was FANTASTIC in what's eating Gilbert Grape. It was a nice film, moving storyline about a woman battling cancer but it was funny too and I laughed at a number of scenes. Worth a watch but not if you're feeling depressed!
- - MUNGO from ALLOA
  - Posted 09 Mar 2006 13:04
1 out of 1 person found this review helpful

Good film

Make sure you have the tissues to hand as this one's a bit of a tear jerker. Really liked this film, great acting from everyone involved and a few moments of laughter with the Aunt.
- - A customer from Godalming
  - Posted 30 Nov 2008 17:12

8 out of 8 people found this review helpful

Surprisingly funny and uplifting

It could have been Hollywood cheesy schmaltz, but instead it feels like an independent film with an A-list cast.

All the performances are great. Diane Keaton?s in particular is brilliant as a mother who is trying to keep her family together at all costs even when she faces bad news from her doctor (Robert DeNiro). This film, although tackling what could be a depressing subject, has a lot of comedy in it, and possess a great deal of funny moments along with some very touching ones, resulting in a thoughtful but uplifting film.

Robert DeNiro plays a very different role from those he usually does, and this results in a genuinely very funny (not in a Meet The Parents kind of way), quirky performance.

This film is a must see for anyone who likes films with good performances from all actors. It wasn?t a film I was expecting to like, but after watching it I had to go out and buy it straight away .
- - Justin Berry from Watford, England
  - Posted 26 Jul 2004 13:03
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful

Touching

This a a teary one. The cast is fantastic. The performances by Diane and Meryl are outstanding.

Therefore the pace of the story became almost secondary because I was enjoying the relationship between the characters so much.

Definately one to have watched.
- - CV from Kent
  - Posted 11 Oct 2005 11:48
1 out of 1 person found this review helpful

Great film

Had no expectations for this film, only rented it because Leonardo Di Caprio was FANTASTIC in what's eating Gilbert Grape. It was a nice film, moving storyline about a woman battling cancer but it was funny too and I laughed at a number of scenes. Worth a watch but not if you're feeling depressed!
- - MUNGO from ALLOA
  - Posted 09 Mar 2006 13:04
1 out of 1 person found this review helpful

Good film

Make sure you have the tissues to hand as this one's a bit of a tear jerker. Really liked this film, great acting from everyone involved and a few moments of laughter with the Aunt.
- - A customer from Godalming
  - Posted 30 Nov 2008 17:12
loved it

this film had it all. Acting, plot, laughter and some genuinely touching moments. I recommend it to everyone, aspecialy keaton fans. It even persuaded to like leonardo dicaprio
- - Sharon Bynoe from Colchester, England
  - Posted 28 Jul 2005 16:41
Film of Steele

You get the feeling this should be a Danielle Steele story - the family saga - the sisters who haven't met for 20 years until one of them's dying, the father (Marvin) who's ga-ga and bed-ridden who has been a little forgotten about. And the sentinmentality, and the live happily ever after ending.

Mr. Dicaprio gets an early chance to shine - his character smoulders under the weight of the two stars, and it's the freedom of the car journey into the sea where you finally get a feeling of freedom in the film, and a reversal of the bad feelings that have gone before.

So why is the film named after Marvin, who has so little screentime? Because it's here that the characters can find themselves, they have the freedom in that room to remember what they were, and who they could be. The room has a kind of power, maybe it's the shadows of the mirrors.
- - joethevolcano from Worcestershire
  - Posted 16 Dec 2005 11:59
Touching and heartwarming

I loved this film, the acting is excellent all round and such a lovely story, although quite sad you just want to watch the characters bond together. Meryl and Diane are wonderful.
- - AMANDA FRENCH from leciestershire
  - Posted 30 Sep 2008 10:29
Marvin's room

It's a good story. very moving. Leonardo di Caprio was good.
- - A customer from Morden
  - Posted 29 Dec 2008 15:21
Good viewing

Enjoyable film, thought provoking in respect of family relationships.
- - A customer from Bournemouth
  - Posted 20 Jan 2009 08:46
Marvin's Room

love this movie a young Leo cant get enough! the storyline is good..............
- - A customer from Falkirk
  - Posted 27 Feb 2009 18:21

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Critics' reviews (6)
Based on the play by Scott McPherson, who adapted his work for the screen before dying of an Aids-related illness, this drama never quite escapes its theatrical roots. Nevertheless, this character-driven tale benefits from a clutch of restrained and impressive performances, including one from a pre-Titanic Leonardo DiCaprio. Diane Keaton plays a carer who has been looking after her bedridden father for years, but who is forced to ask her estranged sister Meryl Streep for help after she is told she has leukaemia. To complicate family relations further, Streep arrives with her two sons — Hal Scardino and DiCaprio — and a stubbornness that makes you realise why the sisters have stayed apart for so long. Keaton was nominated for an Oscar for her portrayal of the proud spinster battling a debilitating disease, but kudos should go to the entire cast, especially Hume Cronyn as the grumpy dad and Gwen Verdon as an eccentric aunt whom Keaton also looks after.
- Radio Times
- Posted 29 Jan 2006
A movie that betrays its theatrical origins, and which gives its cast the opportunity for acting with the stops full out, of which they take full advantage.
- Halliwell's Film Guide
- Posted 02 Mar 2006
Hairdresser and single mum Lee (Streep), struggling with rebellious teenager Hank (DiCaprio), gets an invitation to... read more on Time Out
- Time Out
- Posted 04 Nov 2008
"...For the performances of Keaton, Streep, and DiCaprio, it's worth putting up with [any flaws]..." -- Rating: B
- Entertainment Weekly
- Posted 11 Mar 2005
"...An intimate exploration of family sacrifice....[With] three terrifically gifted performers..."
- Variety
- Posted 11 Mar 2005
"...It's a film unafraid of emotiveness..."
- Sight and Sound
- Posted 11 Mar 2005