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The Lonely Passion of Judith Hearne

Play trailer Poster for The Lonely Passion of Judith Hearne R 1987 1h 56m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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100% Tomatometer 6 Reviews 75% Popcornmeter 100+ Ratings
Lonely spinster Judith Hearne (Maggie Smith) teaches piano and lives in a depressing boarding house in Dublin. Her life changes when she meets James Madden (Bob Hoskins), the enterprising brother of the owner. She quickly falls for him and, against all expectation, finds her love returned. As their romance develops, Judith becomes truly happy for the first time in her life. But, when it dawns on her that James has ulterior motives for pursuing their relationship, her world comes crashing down.

Critics Reviews

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Pauline Kael The New Yorker Maggie Smith lets you read every shade of feeling in Judith Hearne’s face. Sep 15, 2023 Full Review Variety Staff Variety An ensemble of sterling performances highlights The Lonely Passion of Judith Hearne, an intelligent, carefully crafted adaptation of Brian Moore’s well-regarded first novel. Mar 26, 2009 Full Review Desson Thomson Washington Post What you remember are not his images, but the performances, intermingled with screenwriter Peter Nelson's world of dire, almost comical loneliness (adapted from Brian Moore's novel). Jan 1, 2000 Full Review Emanuel Levy EmanuelLevy.Com Rated: 4/5 Jun 25, 2005 Full Review Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat Spirituality & Practice Top-drawer screen interpretation of Brian Moore's 1955 novel about the spiritual crisis of a middle-aged woman. Jul 19, 2003 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Alexandre-Miguel B Brilliantly painted Sartrian hopelessness of 20th century neuroticism, mean spiteful hell human can be to each other. Maggie Smith is outstanding in her rendition. At the bottom of Pandora's box there's a bit of hope left in the nurse's smile. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/01/25 Full Review Alec B An extremely uncomfortable viewing experience because we fear that one day we could become Ms. Hearne or at least suspect that we've been cruel to someone like her (like just about every other character here). This one of Smith's best performances, heartbreaking and real. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 10/07/24 Full Review Audience Member By Brian Moore, not William Trevor. Sorry. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/17/23 Full Review Audience Member A powerful film although I do not agree with the conclusion drawn by Judith Hearne in the final scene. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 02/24/23 Full Review Audience Member A little known gem with another amazing performance from Maggie Smith. 1930's Dublin is faithfully recreated in a film full of tragedy, some laughter and ultimately optimism. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/11/23 Full Review Audience Member A period piece yes but at least a period piece that is interesting to view. Isn't it the same old story? The spinster who's life is put into question with the introduction of a suitor? Of course the suitor isn't all that he is cracked up to be and drama unfolds. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 02/07/23 Full Review Read all reviews
The Lonely Passion of Judith Hearne

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Cast & Crew

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Jack Clayton

Director

Maggie Smith

Judith Hearne

Bob Hoskins

James Madden

Wendy Hiller

Aunt D'Arcy

Marie Kean

Mrs. Rice

Ian McNeice

Bernard Rice

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The Lonely Passion of Judith Hearne

The Lonely Passion of Judith Hearne (1987) The Lonely Passion of Judith Hearne (1987) The Lonely Passion of Judith Hearne (1987) The Lonely Passion of Judith Hearne (1987) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis Lonely spinster Judith Hearne (Maggie Smith) teaches piano and lives in a depressing boarding house in Dublin. Her life changes when she meets James Madden (Bob Hoskins), the enterprising brother of the owner. She quickly falls for him and, against all expectation, finds her love returned. As their romance develops, Judith becomes truly happy for the first time in her life. But, when it dawns on her that James has ulterior motives for pursuing their relationship, her world comes crashing down.
Director
Jack Clayton
Rating
R
Genre
Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Dec 23, 1987, Limited
Box Office (Gross USA)
$82.7K
Runtime
1h 56m