Kelly Ripa Movie:

Editorial Review:
Scott McPherson's off-Broadway hit made a strong transition to the screen in this 1996 film by director Jerry Zaks. Diane Keaton stars as a woman who, while taking care of her vegetating father in Florida, discovers that she has leukemia. Only her long-estranged sister (Meryl Streep) or the sister's children can provide a possible match for a bone-marrow transplant. But the reunion is a rocky one, marked both by Streep's guilt at having abandoned her sister to take care of their father, and by the explosive dynamic between Streep and her rebellious, pyromaniac oldest son (Leonardo DiCaprio). As grim as this all sounds, there is a strong vein of black humor running through it that has the viewer laughing at unlikely moments (particularly Keaton's visits to her distracted doctor, a surprisingly funny Robert De Niro). But rest assured: tears will flow, even as the film makes you reassess all of your own family relationships. --Marshall Fine

Marvin's Room Reviews:
Marvin's Room DVD Just What I was Looking For
2008-05-08 - Amazon had the dvd that I was looking for and at a very low price. The delivery was fast and the dvd was in excellent condition. I would order from Amazon again.

Great Performances
2008-05-02 - This cast is phenomenally talented. The plot was realistic as many families have that not so warm and fuzzy relationship. Watching as these characters struggled through intensely difficult situations was a treat. A must watch movie.

Real life has pain...and joy...
2008-04-11 - Streep is excellent. DiCaprio turns in one of his finest as the tormented & rebelious teenager. Hume Cronyn does so much with just his eyes and no words. But fellow movie fans, the darling of this film is Diane Keaton. This is one of the best films I've seen about extremely dysfunctional families tearing themselves up trying to fix themselves. It's beautifully done.

Acting trio make this film an worth seeing.
2008-04-06 - The acting makes the film an experience worth watching. The sensitivity of the portrayals at times touch the heart and make you think. You can almost forget who's in this film and experience it's sensitive message.

EXPECT THE EXPECTED
2008-01-05 - My Parent's first question to me when I asked for movie money was always "Who's in it"? How little things have changed over the years. With a cast such as this one, it's practically inconceivable to produce a "rock", even though " Ocean's 13" has seemingly accomplished it. Teen idol Leo DiCaprio gets "Marvin's Room" off to a blazing start, setting his home afire.He's had it with his mother (Streep), who reciprocates his "love" by setting off as a belated career girl,looking out for her own interests. Enter Leo's long lost aunt (Keaton), who's been tending his grandfather and grand aunt for 20 years with little correspondence between the two sisters. Suddenly, leukemia strikes Keaton, requiring family cooperation for a possible bone marrow transplant. Only with death on the doorstep is family reconciliation possible; even DiCaprio develops a grudging acceptance at film's end. It's a well acted, thoughtfully produced film, of interest to all age groups. It's also timeless; due mainly to "who's in it".