KB B
It was pretty good but the dialogue and plot could have been better. I wouldn't want to watch it again.
Rated 3/5 Stars •
Rated 3 out of 5 stars
12/07/23
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Steve D
The melodrama really doesn't work.
Rated 2/5 Stars •
Rated 2 out of 5 stars
02/21/23
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Audience Member
Great cast. These 4 actors fit their characters quite well. The main plot points and character beats are pretty strong but there is a lot of boredom in between those stirring passages.
Rated 2.5/5 Stars •
Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars
02/20/23
Full Review
ronald h
It's interesting to watch this 1993 film in 2021. Movies have changed since the 90's, but more to the point, I've changed, too. I'm more critical. Watching this one recently, I immediately saw the contrivance in the performances. Dennis Quaid is so deadpan, it's unbelievable. I don't think he smiles once in the entire film. Meg Ryan, who's playing a rough and cynical Texas girl, can't shed her uber-cuteness no matter how hard she tries. And she tries very hard. James Caan is a cinematic stereotype, an amoral man who sees no good in the world. As much of a pro as he is, he doesn't seem particularly invested in this role. Gwyneth Paltrow is the most interesting character, mainly because this was, I believe, her American film debut and she didn't have a reputation that set up any expectations.
The contrivance, of course, also extends to the plot, which relies on unbelievable coincidences.
It's light and mindless, but worth a skeptical watch. Any philosophical implications in this movie about the nature of evil and whether or not it's genetic can be dismissed. It's not thought-provoking. It's just Hollywood's idea of entertainment--amusing, but as disposable as a fast food wrapper.
Rated 2.5/5 Stars •
Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars
03/30/23
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Rich S
It's not a great movie, but Flesh and Bone is an interesting film that gives an honest portrayal of four people's lives being blown around in the hot Texas wind.
Rated 3.5/5 Stars •
Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars
02/04/21
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Audience Member
I miss Meg Ryan, so I enjoyed seeing her in this movie even though it is an older one I had never heard of before. This is a movie about a narcissistic, abusive, murderous father, (James Caan) and the consequences his abusive and criminal behavior had and continues to have on his innocent son (Dennis Quaid), as well as ending the lives of Meg Ryan's character's father, mother, and brother.
It was an infuriating moment in the movie when Caan's abusive character tries to blame Quaid's character for the murders that occurred 30 years earlier, when he was a child forced by his father into helping con the family his father ended up shooting when the con went bad. He then displays blatant disregard for his son again by telling him he was too emotional, and could not be trusted to keep the secret from Meg Ryan's character, whom he is in love with.
The movie had an appropriate ending with Quaid's character killing his father (who displayed no empathy or remorse) rather than letting his father kill Meg Ryan's character (an innocent, fully equipped human being who has already suffered enormously due to the criminal activity of Caan's character). She was a baby when Caan's character shot and killed her father, mother, and young brother. Even though this is a movie, it appears that Caan's character got away with murder because he was never convicted and was still running around loose 30 years later. "No charges." So, one hopes that his now grown abused son will not end up in trouble with the law, and can finally not have to deal with his worse than worthless father anymore, heal, and start enjoying his life. Of course, if law enforcement had ever gotten around to effectively doing their jobs in those 30 years, Caan's character would have been incarcerated, maybe even on death row (so that the taxpayers only have to support him through approximately 10 years of appeals).
(Excuse the sidebar, I realize this is only a movie). However, Pharisees in this situation would be the very first ones brow beating Quaid's character to "honor his father." The Ten Commandments were given to the Israelites (Christians) just prior to entering the Promised Land, to establish a new society. These are the kinds of situations where we promote the idea that God does not honor evil, nor does He expect you to. Additionally, a father is charged with protecting, and providing for his children, and instructing them in the ways of the Lord, which does not include causing them to become a part of their cons, abuses, or criminal activities. Additionally, a father is instructed not to provoke his children to anger. I have never seen a Pharisee mention any of the balancing instructions while they are trying to beat abused, and even severely abused adult children with the Bible. - KC3
Rated 4/5 Stars •
Rated 4 out of 5 stars
01/12/23
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