Unhook the Stars

R

Released Nov 1, 1996

1h 43m

Drama

List

81%

21 Reviews

Tomatometer

47%

1,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

Widowed mother Mildred (Gena Rowlands) must suddenly redefine herself and find an outlet for her nurturing side when her adult daughter moves out of the family home. Though Mildred thinks she's found her purpose when her neighbor, overworked single mother Monica (Marisa Tomei), asks her to look after her little boy, J.J. (Jake Lloyd), she has great difficulty learning to strike a healthy balance between giving selflessly to others and remembering to take care of herself.

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Audience Member

Directed by Nick Cassavetes and starring Gena Rowlands, Marisa Tomei, Gerard DePardieu, Moira Kelly, and Jake Lloyd Widowed mother Mildred must suddenly redefine herself and find an outlet for her nurturing side when her adult daughter, Ann moves out of the family home Ann has had enough of her not acting like a grown up wanting a real job and not having to take care of her forever Though Mildred thinks she's found her purpose when her neighbor, overworked single mother Monica who lives with an abusive boyfriend who asks her to look after her little boy, J.J. she has great difficulty learning to strike a healthy balance between giving selflessly to others and remembering to take care of herself Tomei and Rowlands make quite the friendly duo each figuring out how to move forward The movie kinda stagnates in spots though Plus the poster never really happens at any point Basically there's a lot of heart-to-heart talks between these two, mainly it's Mildred making her own choices and lifestyle rather than depending on her children The script needed to be better but it is still a touching study of having your options limited We should all have the opportunity to enjoy ourselves not letting age beling us

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

01/22/23

Full Review

Audience Member

A touching, true-to-life drama. Gena Rowlands is terrific as usual.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

01/26/23

Full Review

ashley h

Unhook the Stars is a disappointing film. It is about Mildred, an elderly woman who has spent her life caring for others. Gena Rowlands and Marissa Tomei give terrible performances. The script is badly written. Nick Cassavetes did a horrible job directing this movie. I was not impressed with this motion picture.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

Audience Member

A very life affirming coming-of-age story about an elderly woman who learns to stop taking care of others and start living her life.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/22/23

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Audience Member

I know u shouldn't judge a book (or movie) by its cover or title but this is one of my favourite movie titles and a reel good com-dram.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

01/21/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Unhook the Stars is a good first picture by the multi-talented Nick Cassavetes, but it isn't always a fun watch. Some aspects are a little cliched, and the characters are hardly relatable. But it is the acting that helps make the film thoroughly watchable. Gena Rowlands and Marisa Tomei give stellar performances.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

01/14/23

Full Review

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Nick Cassavetes

Director

Gena Rowlands

Mildred 'Millie' Hawks

Marisa Tomei

Monica Warren

Gérard Depardieu

Big Tommy (as Gerard Depardieu)

Jake Lloyd

Jake 'J.J.' Warren

Moira Kelly

Ann Mary Margaret 'Annie' Hawks

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Lisa Schwarzbaum

Entertainment Weekly

Rated: B-

Sep 7, 2011

Full Review

Emanuel Levy

Variety

Nick Cassavetes' first feature celebrates the acting grandeur of his mom Gena Rowlands, casting her in the lead role as a older woman who would rather stick to her independent lifestyle than be dependent on her kids; I wish the script were better.

Rated: B-

Sep 1, 2006

Full Review

Geoff Andrew

Time Out

A sensitive, honest, touching study of the seemingly limited options faced by a woman whose age belies her energy, enthusiasm and ability to enjoy herself whenever the opportunity presents itself.

Jun 24, 2006

Full Review

Chuck O'Leary

Fantastica Daily

Rated: 2/5

Oct 6, 2005

Full Review

Emanuel Levy

EmanuelLevy.Com

Rated: 2/5

Jun 15, 2005

Full Review

Judith Egerton

Courier-Journal (Louisville, KY)

Cassavetes' film reveals that he has a sharp eye for human nature.

Rated: 3/4

Jul 6, 2004

Full Review

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Synopsis

Widowed mother Mildred (Gena Rowlands) must suddenly redefine herself and find an outlet for her nurturing side when her adult daughter moves out of the family home. Though Mildred thinks she's found her purpose when her neighbor, overworked single mother Monica (Marisa Tomei), asks her to look after her little boy, J.J. (Jake Lloyd), she has great difficulty learning to strike a healthy balance between giving selflessly to others and remembering to take care of herself.

Director: Nick Cassavetes
Producer: Bernard Bouix
Screenwriter: Nick Cassavetes, Helen Caldwell
Distributor: Miramax Films
Production Co: Miramax Films
Rating: R
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Nov 1, 1996, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Jan 4, 2017
Box Office (Gross USA): $285.5K
Runtime: 1h 43m
Sound Mix: Surround

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