Warm Springs
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Movie Reviews of Warm Springs
Movie Review: Heartwarming, Impressive, Riveting
Summary: 5 Stars
Warm Springs is a historical drama that gives the viewer an insight into life and times in the glorious age of President Franklin Delano Roosevelt. Kenneth Branagh gives a splendid performance as FDR who while being groomed for high office is struck down by polio at age 39. While at a broken down spa in the backwoods of Georgia he surveys the beautiful properties and decides to purchase it. Tom Loyless the spa's ailing manager (portrayed by Tim Blake Nelson) does not see FDR's dream. Still, it is at Warm Springs where FDR begins his journey into recovery.
After being plunged into the pit of despair, FDR comes to terms with his affliction and his recovery inspires Eleanor to invite others to experience the mineral-rich `warm' waters that heal. Warm Springs becomes an oasis to other polio-inflicted paraplegics who inspire FDR in turn. And with the encouragement of his motivated physical therapist (Kathy Bates), Elliot his son, and his wife Eleanor (portrayed admirably by Cynthia Nixon) FDR makes enough progress to re-embark on his political campaign.
It is perhaps his affliction that inspired FDR to become the strong, influential person who saw this country through most of World War II and the Great Depression. Such a man, who stood by his New Deal and ignited faith in so many others, demands our admiration. This is well portrayed in the movie and it is the convincing performances of the actors as well as its message of love for family and heralding of FDR's faith in all that he believes that makes this a heartwarming film.
Movie Review: Who knew?
Summary: 5 Stars
He was already rich, but before he became famous, FDR, at the start of his political career, was struck with polio. This is common knowledge today. What is not known, and truly should be, is the struggle he undertook first to cope with, then to master, the disability that would ordinarily have torpedoed his career. Generally underappreciated as an actor, Kenneth Branagh, turns in a brilliant performance in his portrayal of an FDR never really glimpsed before - broken, bitter, depressed, then increasingly hopeful and courageous, and finally, triumphant. Toward the end of this movie, when asked if polio has changed her husband, Eleanor as acted by Cynthia Nixon smiles and says emphatically, "Oh yes... it has."
An argument can be made that polio made Roosevelt. His quest to walk again brought him into contact with people he would never have otherwise met. Good people of all races, classes, and age. It opened his eyes to the needs of his countrymen, and made him as compassionate as any wildly successful politician can be. Franklin and Eleanor, though their marriage was far from perfect, grew together into America's first power couple. No longer the arrogant, detached rich boy, he went on to become one of America's greatest presidents in one of America's most trying eras, and she one of America's most influential women. Nearly 60 years later, their legacy is generally ignored. Watch this inspiring, beautifully made movie and you will never forget them.
Movie Review: Branagh & Nixon Shine in This Superb Film
Summary: 5 Stars
Branagh gives a deeply moving performance as FDR in this exquisitely directed film by Joseph Sargent. Branagh's brilliant portrayal will acquaint you with many nuances of this remarkable man's personality -- unfaithful husband, political wiz, self-absorbed aristocrat, and champion of the handicapped and downtrodden. Cynthia Nixon nearly steals the show. Her portrayal of Eleanor Roosevelt rivals that of Branagh's and in some scenes she outshines him. Paymer, Bates, Tim Blake Nelson, and Alexander all weigh in with very strong supporting performances, as do most of the rest of the cast. This fine dramatic film succeeds by deftly weaving the political and personal events of the Roosevelts' lives and careers during the late 1920s and early 1930s. By the time the film reaches its dramatic conclusion, viewers will have glimpsed some of FDR's and Eleanor's most formative life experiences -- those which surely enabled him to be "the right man in the right place" during some of our nation's most crucial times and her to be one of the world's leading humanitarians of the 20th century. Don't miss this superb film.Movie Review: Traitor to his class?
Summary: 5 Stars
Sometimes refered to as that charming cripple in the White House, Franklin Delano Roosevelt was many things to many people. He was a strong leader as evidenced by winning the presidency four times, a friendly voice as evidenced by countless radio broadcasts called "fireside chats" but first and foremost, he was a man of great determination as evidenced by the splendid HBO Production, "Warm Springs." Other reviews on this thread credit the wonderful cast and crew of "Warm Springs" so rather then repeat much that's already been said, let me say thanks to HBO for having the courage to produce such a moving and inspirational chapter of our history. F.D.R. was called many things during his life, a socialist, a political opportunist, even a traitor to his class for the federal programs he initiated such as rural electrification, a government insured banking system and social security. Viewing the HBO production "Warm Springs," will help you understand why F.D.R. was also known as a humanist.Movie Review: An Instant Classic
Summary: 5 Stars
It won the Emmy for Best Movie and if it had been released in theatres it would have won Best Picture. This film is up there with The Best Years of Our Lives and To Kill a Mockingbird. To tell the true story of FDR's polio and reveal the extent of his disability in todays mixed up world reminds us what true courage really is. The film tells the story of Franklin and Eleanor going on unlikely journeys far from their safe world of Hyde Park. Franklin must face the fact he is a paraplegic at Warm Springs in the backwoods of Georgia surrounded by poverty and racism the likes of which he had never imagined. Eleanor, too must find her identity without her husband. Their parallel journeys brings them back together as real friends. All the actors are brilliant. Kenneth Branagh channels the turmoil of a man who has lost his morings. Cynthia Nixon captures the deep pain of Eleanor. Tim Blake Nelson, Kathy Bates, David Paymer and Jane Alexander round out this brilliant cast. Great for all ages.