Clara's Heart

Clara's Heart is a 1988 American film directed by Robert Mulligan and starring Whoopi Goldberg, Michael Ontkean, and Kathleen Quinlan. The film is based on the novel of the same name by Joseph Olshan, which was published in 1985 by Viking Press. The story revolves around a young boy who forms a bond with his Jamaican housekeeper, played by Whoopi Goldberg, who is reminiscent of characters in films like To Kill a Mockingbird and Guess Who's Coming to Dinner. The movie explores themes of racism, classism, and the complexities of human relationships, as seen in films like The Help and Driving Miss Daisy.

● Introduction

The film Clara's Heart was released in 1988 and was directed by Robert Mulligan, who is known for his work on films like To Kill a Mockingbird and Summer of '42. The movie is based on the novel of the same name by Joseph Olshan, which was published in 1985 by Viking Press. The story is a drama that explores the complexities of human relationships and features a strong performance by Whoopi Goldberg, who has appeared in films like The Color Purple and Ghost. The film also stars Michael Ontkean and Kathleen Quinlan, who have appeared in films like Twin Peaks and Apollo 13.

● Plot

The plot of Clara's Heart revolves around a young boy named David, who forms a bond with his Jamaican housekeeper, Clara, played by Whoopi Goldberg. The story is set in the 1980s and explores themes of racism, classism, and the complexities of human relationships, as seen in films like The Help and Driving Miss Daisy. The movie follows the journey of David and Clara as they navigate their complicated relationships with each other and the people around them, including David's parents, played by Michael Ontkean and Kathleen Quinlan. The film features a strong performance by Whoopi Goldberg, who brings depth and nuance to the character of Clara, and has been compared to other strong female characters in films like The Color Purple and Fried Green Tomatoes.

● Cast

The cast of Clara's Heart includes Whoopi Goldberg as Clara, Michael Ontkean as David's father, and Kathleen Quinlan as David's mother. The film also features a young Neil Patrick Harris as David, who has gone on to appear in films and television shows like Doogie Howser, M.D. and How I Met Your Mother. The cast delivers strong performances, bringing depth and nuance to the characters and the story, which has been compared to other films like Kramer vs. Kramer and Ordinary People. The film's cast has been praised for their performances, with Whoopi Goldberg receiving particular acclaim for her portrayal of Clara, which has been compared to other strong female characters in films like The Help and The Secret Life of Bees.

● Reception

The reception of Clara's Heart was generally positive, with many critics praising the performances of the cast, particularly Whoopi Goldberg. The film holds a Rotten Tomatoes score of 71%, with many critics noting the strong performances and the nuanced exploration of the complexities of human relationships, as seen in films like The Color Purple and Fried Green Tomatoes. The film was also praised for its thoughtful and sensitive portrayal of racism and classism, which has been compared to other films like To Kill a Mockingbird and Guess Who's Coming to Dinner. However, some critics noted that the film's pacing was slow and that the story was somewhat predictable, which has been compared to other films like The Remains of the Day and The Age of Innocence.

● Production

The production of Clara's Heart was led by director Robert Mulligan, who is known for his work on films like To Kill a Mockingbird and Summer of '42. The film was produced by Martin Elfand and features a screenplay by Mark Medoff, who is known for his work on films like Children of a Lesser God and City of Joy. The film's score was composed by David Shire, who has worked on films like The Conversation and Zodiac. The film's cinematography was handled by Freddie Francis, who has worked on films like Glory and The Elephant Man.

● Release

The release of Clara's Heart was handled by Warner Bros., which has released a wide range of films, including The Shawshank Redemption and The Dark Knight. The film was released on October 5, 1988, and was shown in theaters across the United States. The film's release was accompanied by a marketing campaign that highlighted the strong performances of the cast, particularly Whoopi Goldberg, and the nuanced exploration of the complexities of human relationships, as seen in films like The Color Purple and Fried Green Tomatoes. The film has since been released on DVD and Blu-ray by Warner Home Video, which has also released a wide range of other films, including The Wizard of Oz and Casablanca. Category:American drama films