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Raggedy Man

Play trailer Poster for Raggedy Man PG 1981 1h 35m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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100% Tomatometer 5 Reviews 58% Popcornmeter 1,000+ Ratings
While World War II rages overseas, a divorced mother of two, Nita Longley (Sissy Spacek), struggles to makes ends meet as a telephone operator in small-town Texas. As the subject of disdainful gossip due to her divorce, Nita faces a lonely existence of ostracism, where only the unscrupulous approach her -- often with ill intent. When she befriends Teddy (Eric Roberts), a sailor on leave, her situation improves, but he's soon sent to war. Once again, Nita must face her plight alone.
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Raggedy Man

Critics Reviews

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Roger Ebert Chicago Sun-Times 10/23/2004
3.5/4
Raggedy Man remembers the small-town years of World War II so exactly that, although not yet born when the war broke out, I found myself remembering things I didn't even know I knew. Go to Full Review Emanuel Levy EmanuelLevy.Com 10/31/2006
C+
Worth seeing for Sissy Spacek's turn, but the film is incoherent, borrowing elements from To Kill a Mockingbird (Sam Shepard's strange) character and the notion of a sexually harassed woman trapped in her own home, just like Wait Until Dark. Go to Full Review Jon Niccum Lawrence Journal-World 03/19/2004
3/5
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat Spirituality & Practice 01/31/2004
Raggedy Man profiles a lonely woman desperately trying to make it on her own. Go to Full Review Rebecca Murray About.com 08/16/2003
4/5
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Audience Reviews

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Paul O @pjkeys 12/15/2024 The movie is a great depiction of a time and a place. When I was attending college, the movie was being filmed near the town where my university was located. Me and a buddy went to check out the set, centered around the house that Spacek's character was living. I remember the rain scene being filmed with artificial rain and wind. I remember the youngest boy being doted over by his real mother between scenes. Spacek was there and was being treated like the star that she was. I remember the scene being filmed of the raggedy man pulling the lawnmower. I find the ending hard to believe and with little or no explanation as to how the raggedy man came to be in his current state nor how could one not recognize who he really was, without spoiling the ending. See more 05/23/2021 I love period pieces, and this more than fits the bill. The acting, cinematography and atmosphere were all so good that I felt I was right there in that setting. And this is the kind of movie that makes you long for simpler times. The only complaint I'd have would be in the writing. As much as Nita wants to be accepted by the townsfolk, she allows herself to be intimate just once with the world's most gorgeous sailor, who clearly loves her, and sends him packing, despite breaking her kids' hearts in the process. Also, she is quickly able to cut ties with a town she wanted to feel more welcome in. I felt some hope, however, when she echoes her son's sentiment by saying she hopes they do see Teddy again someday. See more steve d 07/14/2020 Frustrating and nothing new but the acting is strong. See more 11/03/2019 Wonderful film overall. Highly recommend. See more 08/04/2012 The emotionally gripping performances and a compelling story are more than enough to surpass a slow beginning. See more 04/05/2012 A divorced mom of two kids in a small town Texas during WW2 is a telephone operator who hooks up with Eric Roberts on leave from the war. They share an easy bond and the kids like him, but danger still lurks. See more Read all reviews
Raggedy Man

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Cast & Crew

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Jack Fisk

Director

Sissy Spacek

Nita Longley

Eric Roberts

Teddy

Sam Shepard

Bailey

William Sanderson

Calvin

Tracey Walter

Arnold
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Raggedy Man

Raggedy Man (1981) Raggedy Man (1981) Raggedy Man (1981) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis While World War II rages overseas, a divorced mother of two, Nita Longley (Sissy Spacek), struggles to makes ends meet as a telephone operator in small-town Texas. As the subject of disdainful gossip due to her divorce, Nita faces a lonely existence of ostracism, where only the unscrupulous approach her -- often with ill intent. When she befriends Teddy (Eric Roberts), a sailor on leave, her situation improves, but he's soon sent to war. Once again, Nita must face her plight alone.
Director
Jack Fisk
Producer
William D. Wittliff, Burt Weissbourd
Screenwriter
William D. Wittliff
Production Co
Universal Pictures
Rating
PG
Genre
Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Streaming)
Jun 27, 2008
Runtime
1h 35m
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