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Features: DVD
During a summer retreat, graduate student Finn (Winona Ryder) is surrounded by her sparring grandmother and great aunt (Oscar-winners Ellen Burstyn and Anne Bancroft) and her extended family of the Grasse Quilting Bee (Maya Angelou, Kate Nelligan, Jean Simmons, Lois Smith and Alfre Woodard). Finn intends to finish her latest thesis and think over a marriage proposal, and as she wrestles with her decision, the women in her grandmother's quilting bee confide to her the stories of the loves that shaped their own lives. How To Make An American Quilt is a deeply moving and funny film that celebrates following your heart.
"...genteel, good looking, and well acted..." Leonard Maltin's Movie & Video Guide
Editor's Note
Director Jocelyn Moorhouse's film adaptation of the novel by Whitney Otto stars Winona Ryder as Finn Dodd, a Berkeley graduate student on summer hiatus at her grandmother's home to work on her thesis and ponder a marriage proposal from her boyfriend, Sam (Dermot Mulroney). Finn's grandma, Hy (Ellen Burstyn), lives with her great aunt, Glady Jo (Anne Bancroft), at their idyllic Northern California home. The two fiery women meet with seven older female relatives and close friends for a regular quilting bee, led by Anna (Maya Angelou). Over the course of the summer, Finn contemplates her future while gaining insight into love and relationships from the different members of the quilting bee. Their experiences are brought to life as each woman shares a unique tale with the confused young woman. The interwoven memories of each sage member of the quilting bee--including Constance (Kate Nelligan); Anna's daughter, Mariana (Alfre Woodard); and Finn's free-spirited mother, Sally (Kate Capshaw)--become lessons in love, pain, and emotional growth for Finn as the women work to make her wedding quilt. Each memory becomes a vivid flashback subtly weaving the past and present together to create a colorful collection of stories, featuring young stars including Claire Danes and Samantha Mathis as the individual women in their youth. A tribute to women's friendship and camaraderie, HOW TO MAKE AN AMERICAN QUILT shines with a cast of all-star actresses.
Plot Summary
Finn Dodd is a 26-year-old college student who's engaged to Sam, a nice, handsome carpenter. But Finn feels very confused about many issues in her life, including her impending marriage. For help in resolving her problems, Finn pays a visit to the quilting bee--seven older female relatives and friends who create quilts together. Each sage member of the bee imparts valuable advice to Finn, recounting important memories and events of their lives.
| Features | Cast & Crew Bios | | Theatrical Trailer | | Weblinks | | Photo Gallery | | Film Highlights | | English 5.1 Surround Dolby Digital | | French 5.1 Surround Dolby Digital | | Spanish Dolby Surround | | Interactive Menus | | English Subtitles | | Spanish Subtitles |
| Technical Info
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Release Information
| | Studio: Universal |
| Release Date: 11/2/2004 |
| Running Time: 117 minutes |
| Original Release Date: 1995 | | Catalog ID: 20018 | | UPC: 00025192001826 | | Number of Discs: 1 |
Audio & Video
| | Original Language: English | | Available Audio Tracks: English | | Available Subtitles: Spanish | | Video: Color |
Aspect Ratio | | 1.77:1 |
| Cast & Crew
| Awards |
Image Award (1996) | | | Maya Angelou, Nominee, Oustanding Supporting Actress In A Motion Picture | | | Alfre Woodward, Nominee, Oustanding Supporting Actress In A Motion Picture | |
MTV Award (1996) | | | Dermot Mulroney, Winona Ryder, Nominee, Best Kiss |
| Memorable Quotes| "How do you merge into this thing called a couple and still keep a little part of yourself?"----Finn Dodd (Winona Ryder), about marriage. | | "I've never liked full moons; it gives people an excuse to act foolish."----Anna (Maya Angelou). |
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| | Professional Reviews | Sight and Sound
"...A romantic tale that is intelligent..." 06/01/1996 p.44-5USA Today
"..A wealth of old-style Hollywood magic....A memory movie passionately pumped up by the latest top-notch Thomas Newman score..." -- 3 1/2 out of 4 stars 10/06/1995 p.1D Entertainment Weekly
"...QUILT hangs together quite nicely." -- Rating: B 10/20/1995 p.48 Variety
"...[A] sweet, sincere tale....Cameraman Janusz Kaminski takes great delight in painterly homages that vary from American Gothic to the Norman Rockwell oeuvre..." 10/02/1995 James Berardinelli's ReelViews 7 of 10
One of the greatest pleasures of How to Make an American Quilt comes from watching an array of fine performances by an impressive ensemble cast. From Winona Ryder, Ann Bancroft, Ellen Burstyn, and Maya Angelou to minor players like Rip Torn, Claire Danes, and Kate Capshaw, this film is overflowing with realized talent... A nicely-understated drama that has a lot to say about love, passion, and monogamy in relationships.
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