Come Back to the 5 & Dime Jimmy Dean, Jimmy Dean

A group of girls who were in a James Dean fan club meet up at a 5 & Dime 20 years later where the truth about what really happened back then and where they all are now is brought out into the open. Intentionally very theatrical - it all takes place on one set - this semi southern gothic drama holds the attention despite straying into very heavy melodrama and occasional ripeish performances, particularly from Sandy Dennis. Each actor seems to take it in turn to perform their monologue covering the raking up of the past and / or facing up to current reality. The dreams and secrets from their youth inevitably crumble towards the end with some fairly predictable outcomes, but it is nevertheless something of a pleasure to watch such theatrical talent at work, particularly Cher, who comes off as the most natural.

I see something different every time I see this movie. What starts out seeming to be a very simplistic movie about James Dean fans is really more about what we believe in and how difficult it sometimes is to get beyond "false fronts". Cher is excellent and the rest of the cast do a credible job of allowing us to see different viewpoints through different characters. Marta Heflin as Edna Louise probably has the most to offer in the way of "the moral to the story". Sudie Bond as Juanita has some of the best lines delivered in an excellent "why me" voice. Things are not the way they seem in any of the characters lives with one exception. Don't just watch this movie once. Watch it again and again and pick up something more each time.

I LOVE THIS MOVIE. Every actor is perfect. Karen Black totally rules, though. There isn't a thing about this film I would change. I watch it over and over and never tire of it. It's like an old friend.

I love Robert Altman films. Why? Because they always tell real human stories. This is no exception. The cast is excellent. Especially Sandy Dennis and Cher. The story of three girls and a friend who reunite in their small town . With Sandy Dennis recollection of how things were being quite different from the other girls. It is excellent. It is soft and sad in a way. The ending, with the same location 10 years after looking old and forgotten. Which holds true for any place at a given time. I wish I could find it on video or D.V.D. One of Robert Altman's best.