Rachel, Rachel

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Rachel, Rachel

R

Released Aug 26, 1968

1h 41m

Drama

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Popcornmeter

92%

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12 Reviews

77%

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500+ Ratings

Written off as a spinster, 35-year-old schoolteacher Rachel Cameron (Joanne Woodward) lives with her widowed mother above a funeral parlor in rural Connecticut. Repressed by the community and given to despondency, Rachel spends her time daydreaming, buoyed by her lesbian best friend, Calla (Estelle Parsons). A religious experience begins a subtle awakening in Rachel, and when a childhood friend returns to town for his father's funeral, she experiences real, driving passion.

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Sabina Dana Plasse

Film Threat

The film’s moment in time is one of note, especially as a story that grows from the inside out.

Rated: 8/10

May 19, 2023

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Sean Burns

Crooked Marquee

It’s a low-key character study tuned to Woodward’s exquisite performance, one of the decade’s finest.

Apr 26, 2023

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Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

This modest movie might be low of budget, but it's enormous in its emotional pull.

Rated: 3.5/4

Sep 11, 2022

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Barbara Grier

The Ladder

This is a small movie, despite its success, and many won't bother to see it, but it is a well-done film, using all of the potential human material in the original source, the novel, and exploiting it without distorting it much.

Apr 14, 2022

Full Review

Michael Billington

Birmingham Post

As a portrait of a character and a certain type of small-town society, the film is admirable. But, if you're not convinced already, then go and see the film for the sake of Miss Woodward's performance.

Mar 4, 2022

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Jeffrey M. Anderson

Combustible Celluloid

Woodward carries everything with her faultless performance.

Mar 6, 2009

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Russ G

Had to bail on it just 3 minutes in. It was bad right from the jump and the reviews told me it wasn't going to get any better.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

02/21/25

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CodyZamboni Z

Solid character arc, Impressive directorial debut by Paul Newman, Has an on the fly, visual style and feel, Spot on performances all around.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

07/27/24

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helder f

This is a story of Rachel, a daughter to an engulfing mother and a somewhat absent and cold father. Rachel performs like an adult while being a school teacher, but her mind is full of anxiety and self doubt, and also somewhat infantilized. The movie is beautifully done, even if at times it's a bit melodramatic. Yet, it's never so melodramatic that's unbelievable or inauthentic. In fact, we all know of someone like rachel and we all might have been a bit like rachel at some point in our lives.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

06/10/23

Full Review

Lynne M

This movie surprised me when I first saw it mostly because Woodward is so good. Maybe her husband and the love of her life, Paul Newman, knew how to get the best out of her...sounds right. It's slow, and the critics liked it better than the general audience, but if you are looking for something Quality-a diamond in the rough-see it.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

04/25/23

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Audience Member

Four stars? For this meandering freak show?

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

02/13/23

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steve d

The story did nothing for me even if the acting was strong.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

03/30/23

Full Review

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Paul Newman

Director

Joanne Woodward

Rachel Cameron

James Olson

Nick Kazlik

Kate Harrington

Mrs. Cameron

Estelle Parsons

Calla Mackie

Donald Moffat

Niall Cameron

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Synopsis

Written off as a spinster, 35-year-old schoolteacher Rachel Cameron (Joanne Woodward) lives with her widowed mother above a funeral parlor in rural Connecticut. Repressed by the community and given to despondency, Rachel spends her time daydreaming, buoyed by her lesbian best friend, Calla (Estelle Parsons). A religious experience begins a subtle awakening in Rachel, and when a childhood friend returns to town for his father's funeral, she experiences real, driving passion.

Director: Paul Newman
Producer: Paul Newman
Screenwriter: Stewart Stern
Distributor: Warner Brothers/Seven Arts
Production Co: Kayos Productions
Rating: R
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Aug 26, 1968, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Jan 1, 2009
Runtime: 1h 41m

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