To Gillian on Her 37th Birthday

Last updated

To Gillian on Her 37th Birthday
Thirty seventh birthday.jpg
Theatrical release poster
Directed by Michael Pressman
Screenplay by David E. Kelley
Based on To Gillian on Her 37th Birthday
by Michael Brady
Produced by
  • Marykay Powell
  • David E. Kelley
Starring
Cinematography Tim Suhrstedt
Edited byWilliam Scharf
Music by James Horner
Production
company
Distributed by Triumph Films
Release date
  • October 18, 1996 (1996-10-18)
Running time
93 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Box office$4.1 million (US) [1]

To Gillian on Her 37th Birthday is a 1996 American romantic fantasy drama film directed by Michael Pressman and adapted by David E. Kelley from the play of the same name by Michael Brady. It stars Peter Gallagher, Michelle Pfeiffer and Claire Danes. The original score was composed by James Horner.

Contents

The father and daughter, David and Rachel, are struggling to come to terms with the tragic death of wife and mother, Gillian when they invite her sister and her husband to commiserate the second anniversary of the dark day.

The film adapted from a play was released in the US on October 25, 1996, and was overall panned by critics.

Plot

The day of her birthday, a woman named Gillian falls from the mast of a yacht on a family outing and dies. Distraught, Gillian's husband David Lewis turns their summer cottage in Nantucket, Massachusetts into a permanent home. He spends most of his time on the beach there, communicating with Gillian's spirit and unwittingly neglecting their daughter Rachel.

On the second anniversary of Gillian's death, David invites her sister Esther Wheeler and her husband Paul to stay for the weekend. She insists on bringing her female friend Kevin Dollof, whom she hopes David will become romantically interested in. He, however, ignores her and proceeds with the ritualistic celebration of Gillian's birthday.

At the beach house, Paul tries to discourage Esther from meddling in David's affairs. David goes for a run while Paul tries to confront him about his hermit-like behavior.

As part of the special weekend ritual, they have a formal fancy dinner in the house. There Esther accuses David of holing himself in, neglecting Rachel and his literature professor background. He insists that he has taken a sabbatical to write a book, then stomps off to walk on the beach.

There, David talks with Gillian. He talks about everyone's arrival and the pressure they are putting on him to move on. Gillian reminds him that Rachel must always come first. Once she has disappeared again, David comes face-to-face with Rachel and admits both that he talks to Gillian's imagined ghost and that he is not really writing a book.

When Rachel comes in, Esther presses her, but she says that there is nothing to worry about. That night, sensing her sleeplessness, Paul discovers that Esther has a court appointment on Monday to petition that David lose custody for neglect, as Rachel is increasingly withdrawn and her grades have been slipping.

The next day, David throws himself into the sand sculpture contest he has been preparing for weeks, determined to beat the child who won the previous year. Rachel's friend Cindy encourages her to wear a provocative bikini and strut down the beach. They attract most males' on the beach, including Paul. When David sees Rachel being ogled, he hurries to cover her up.

David later calls out to a woman, probably due to heat stroke. Having mistaken her for Gillian, he then collapses. After waking up, David discovers that he has won the competition. Rachel is concerned, wishing that he would move on.

Paul lets David know about Esther's court date on Monday to try to convince him to better hide his unusual behavior, so he races back to confront her. David tells her to get out, then Esther points out that she had thwarted his suicide attempt back in the day.

Rachel goes to a party with Joey, a guy she met on the beach. David goes to the coast to talk with Gillian. Esther sends Kevin to talk to him, and she suggests that he is idolizing Gillian rather than recognising her flaws.

As Rachel never consumed alcohol, Joey brings her back drunk after having only two drinks. She goes to bed to sleep it off. Rachel dreams that Gillian takes her night cycling, but wakes up screaming as a tractor-trailer almost hits her in the nightmare. She tells David that she can no longer stay with him there, as he cannot let Gillian go.

The events of the weekend cause Esther and Paul to re-examine their relationship, as Cindy's flirty nature and his innuendo causes friction for the couple. When Cindy calls Paul's bluff, he does not try anything. Paul points out to Esther that they are both envious of David's bond with Gillian, as he is still crazy about her twenty years since they met whereas they are more companions.

Seeing the Wheelers, Kevin and Rachel off at the ferry, David says goodbye to Rachel, who doubles back, declaring that she will not leave him. David says that he will stay one more day to board up the house and leave too, coming to realize that he can be an attentive father to Rachel without betraying Gillian's memory.

Cast

Production

The film was filmed on location in Nantucket, Massachusetts, [2] and in and around Wilmington, North Carolina, [3] although some of the beach scenes were filmed in Long Beach, California, and the sailing accident was filmed in Marina del Rey, California; the obvious differences between the two were noticeable enough to be mentioned by The New York Times reviewer Janet Maslin. [4]

Reception

The film holds a rating of 14% on Rotten Tomatoes based on 29 reviews, indicating an overwhelmingly negative critical response. [5]

Emanuel Levy in Variety described the film as "a bargain-basement Ghost , a hybrid of an earnest, inspirational play and a sleek, calculated Lifetime telepic." [6] In her review for The New York Times , Janet Maslin wrote: "It's not easy for the story's tear-jerking potential to be realized when its characters express their pain as if they were writing greeting cards." [4] Rita Kempley of The Washington Post wrote that "for all the moonlight and magic, the film scares up little in the way of enchantment." [7]

Many critics found it difficult to accept the basic premise, that the main character's continued mourning of his deceased wife is so detrimental to those around him. Roger Ebert, in particular, expressed frustration: "The movie cannot see that Esther is a deranged nuisance who should mind her own business, that David is entitled to his grief, that Rachel is happy living on the island, and that if Gillian appears to David, so much the better." [8] Jack Matthews of the Los Angeles Times wrote: "Despite its apparent parallels to Ghost, Gillian takes an entirely opposite path. Throughout Ghost, we were made to feel desperate for a reunion of Patrick Swayze's roaming spirit with a mourning Demi Moore. In Gillian, the whole purpose is to get David to give up the ghost." [9] Mick LaSalle of the San Francisco Chronicle thought the film lacked dramatic impetus: "the grieving husband never quite seems crazy enough - and the sister is never angry enough...drama is avoided. Issues are muddy. And everyone stays a nice person... In fact, typical of the film's undramatic choices - it's ungenerous unwillingness to commit to the extreme - the husband knows she [Gillian] is an illusion. So he's not crazy. She's not a ghost. And the sister-in-law, far from evil, is merely concerned. So why are we watching these people?" [10]

One aspect that garnered unanimous praise was Danes' performance as the troubled daughter. Levy wrote, "Danes proves again that she's one of the most naturally gifted actresses of her generation." [6] Maslin described her as "especially expressive in the film's later scenes, demonstrating a rare ability to seem fresh and honest when her material quite clearly is not." [4] Matthews wrote, "Danes is terrific playing an awkward teenager trying to understand her father's problems while feeling the first stirrings of passion in herself." [9] Kempley wrote of Danes, "the gifted actress steals the show." [7]

Accolades

Claire Danes won a Young Artist Award for Best Performance in a Feature Film - Supporting Young Actress. [11]

Related Research Articles

<i>Beautiful Girls</i> (film) 1996 film directed by Ted Demme

Beautiful Girls is a 1996 American romantic comedy-drama film directed by Ted Demme and written by Scott Rosenberg. Its story follows New York jazz pianist Willie Conway, as he heads back to his hometown of Knight's Ridge, Massachusetts for his high school reunion, where he finds his friends evaluating their lives and relationships. It stars Matt Dillon, Noah Emmerich, Lauren Holly, Timothy Hutton, Rosie O'Donnell, Martha Plimpton, Natalie Portman, Michael Rapaport, Mira Sorvino and Uma Thurman.

<i>French Kiss</i> (1995 film) 1995 "`UNIQ--templatestyles-00000002-QINU`" film

French Kiss is a 1995 romantic comedy film directed by Lawrence Kasdan and starring Meg Ryan and Kevin Kline. Written by Adam Brooks, the film is about a woman who flies to France to confront her straying fiancé and gets into trouble when the charming crook seated next to her uses her to smuggle a stolen diamond necklace. French Kiss was filmed on location in Paris, the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur région of southeastern France, and Cannes. The film was released in the United States on May 5, 1995, and received mixed reviews. The film was a success and went on to earn a total worldwide gross of $101,982,854.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Joey Tribbiani</span> Fictional character from the American sitcoms Friends and Joey

Joseph Francis Tribbiani Jr. is a fictional character, serving as one of the primary characters of the NBC sitcom Friends and the protagonist of its spin-off Joey. He is portrayed by Matt LeBlanc in both series.

<i>Cop Land</i> 1997 American crime drama film by James Mangold

Cop Land is a 1997 American crime drama film written and directed by James Mangold. It stars Sylvester Stallone, Harvey Keitel, Ray Liotta, and Robert De Niro as the main cast, with Peter Berg, Janeane Garofalo, Robert Patrick, Michael Rapaport, Annabella Sciorra, Noah Emmerich, and Cathy Moriarty in supporting roles. Stallone portrays the sheriff of a small New Jersey town who comes into conflict with the corrupt New York City police officers living in the community. The film received positive reviews and grossed $63.7 million on a $15 million budget.

<i>Jagged Edge</i> (film) 1985 thriller film by Richard Marquand

Jagged Edge is a 1985 American neo-noir legal thriller film written by Joe Eszterhas, and directed by Richard Marquand, the last of his films to be released during his lifetime. The film stars Glenn Close, Jeff Bridges, Peter Coyote and Robert Loggia. A lawyer reluctantly takes the case of a man accused of killing his wife, but remains uncertain if he is guilty or not.

<i>Married to the Mob</i> 1988 American film directed by Jonathan Demme

Married to the Mob is a 1988 American crime romantic comedy film directed by Jonathan Demme, written by Barry Strugatz and Mark R. Burns, and starring Michelle Pfeiffer, Matthew Modine, Dean Stockwell, Mercedes Ruehl, and Alec Baldwin. Pfeiffer plays Angela de Marco, a gangster's widow from Brooklyn, opposite Modine as the undercover FBI agent assigned the task of investigating her mafia connections.

<i>One Fine Day</i> (1996 film) 1996 film by Michael Hoffman

One Fine Day is a 1996 American romantic comedy-drama film directed by Michael Hoffman, starring Michelle Pfeiffer and George Clooney. Alex D. Linz and Mae Whitman play their children. The title comes from the 1963 song "One Fine Day" by Carole King, which is heard in the film.

<i>Grand Canyon</i> (1991 film) Film by Lawrence Kasdan

Grand Canyon is a 1991 American drama film directed and produced by Lawrence Kasdan, and written by Kasdan with his wife Meg. Featuring an ensemble cast, the film is about random events affecting a diverse group of people, exploring the race- and class-imposed chasms which separate members of the same community.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">David Wicks</span> Fictional character from the BBC soap opera EastEnders

David Wicks is a fictional character from the BBC TV soap opera EastEnders, played by Michael French. David originally appeared from 23 December 1993 to 21 November 1996. He returned to the show on 1 January 2012 and departed two weeks later on 13 January. French returned to the role on 26 September 2013. David has been involved in various storylines, such as his troubled and dysfunctional reconciliation with his children Bianca Jackson and Joe Wicks, his volatile and equally dysfunctional relationship with his mother Pat Butcher, an affair with his sister-in-law Cindy Beale, reuniting with Carol Jackson and struggling to cope with her diagnosis of breast cancer. On 17 May 2014, it was announced that French had once again decided to leave the show. David last appeared on 30 May 2014, after his relationship with Carol broke down following their botched wedding day. In July 2024, it was announced that French would be reprising the role for a short stint after ten years away, with David returning on 3 October 2024 and departing the following week on 10 October 2024.

<i>Home for the Holidays</i> (1995 film) 1995 film by Jodie Foster

Home for the Holidays is a 1995 American family comedy drama film directed by Jodie Foster and produced by Peggy Rajski and Foster. The screenplay was written by W. D. Richter, based on a short story by Chris Radant. The film's score was composed by Mark Isham. The film follows Claudia Larson, who after losing her job, kissing her ex-boss, and finding out that her daughter has plans of her own for the holidays, departs Chicago to spend her Thanksgiving with her dysfunctional family.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Frankie Osborne</span> UK soap opera character, created 2002

Francine "Frankie" Osborne is a fictional character from the British Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks, played by Helen Pearson, making her first on-screen appearance on 20 August 2002. Frankie was once the longest-serving female character in the show. On 9 October 2017, Pearson announced that she would depart the show, and Frankie was killed off on 1 November 2017, after suffering a stroke, making her the second member of the Dean family to be killed off after her daughter Steph Cunningham in 2010. She made her final appearance on 27 November 2017, as a ghost to Jack Osborne.

<i>The Daytrippers</i> 1996 film by Greg Mottola

The Daytrippers is a 1996 independent comedy-drama film written and directed by Greg Mottola in his feature directorial debut. It stars Hope Davis, Stanley Tucci, Anne Meara, Parker Posey and Liev Schreiber.

<i>Carpool</i> (1996 film) 1996 American film

Carpool is a 1996 American comedy film directed by Arthur Hiller, written by Don Rhymer, starring Tom Arnold and David Paymer. The film was theatrically released with Superior Duck as the preceding cartoon.

To Gillian On Her 37th Birthday is an American play by Michael Brady, in 1984. It was developed through the literary department of the Ensemble Studio Theatre and M Square Entertainment and moved to Circle in the Square.

<i>Heartbreak Hotel</i> (film) 1988 film by Chris Columbus

Heartbreak Hotel is a 1988 American comedy film written and directed by Chris Columbus, and stars David Keith and Tuesday Weld. Set in 1972, the story deals with one of the many "legends" involving Elvis Presley (Keith) about his fictional kidnapping, and his subsequent redemption from decadence.

Scott Chandler (<i>All My Children</i>) Fiction character from ABC daytime drama, All My Children

Scott Chandler is a fictional character from ABC daytime drama, All My Children. He was most recently portrayed by Adam Mayfield from April 9, 2009 to October 13, 2010. Previously, Scott was portrayed, most notably by Daniel Cosgrove from November 27, 1996 to July 28, 1998, and Forbes March from April 19, 1999 to September 14, 2000. He is a member of the powerful and wealthy Chandler family. On September 16, 2010, Mayfield, alongside Brittany Allen, were let go as Scott and Marissa Tasker in order for the writers to take the characters in a new direction, and on September 23, 2010, it was revealed that Cosgrove will be returning as Scott on December 27, 2010.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Holly Cunningham</span> UK soap opera character, created 1997

Holly Cunningham is a fictional character from the long-running Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks, most recently portrayed by Amanda Clapham.

Laurie Fortier is an American actress. She is known for her television work on Running the Halls, Push and Hemlock Grove, and for her film work in To Gillian on Her 37th Birthday and The In Crowd.

<i>Otherhood</i> 2019 American comedy film

Otherhood is a 2019 American comedy film, directed by Cindy Chupack, from a screenplay by Chupack and Mark Andrus. It is based upon the 2008 novel Whatever Makes You Happy by William Sutcliffe and follows three suburban mothers who show up at their sons' New York City homes unannounced. It stars Angela Bassett, Patricia Arquette, Felicity Huffman, Jake Hoffman, Jake Lacy, and Sinqua Walls.

References

  1. To Gillian on Her 37th Birthday at Box Office Mojo
  2. "11 Movies Filmed On Cape Cod & The Islands". capecodtraveltips.com. August 20, 2023. Retrieved September 1, 2023.
  3. "To Gillian on Her 37th Birthday". Wilmington Star-News . September 25, 2008. Retrieved September 1, 2023.
  4. 1 2 3 Maslin, Janet (October 18, 1996). "Movie Review - To Gillian on Her 37th Birthday - Gone but Not Forgotten". The New York Times .
  5. "To Gillian on Her 37th Birthday". Rotten Tomatoes . Archived from the original on July 26, 2008. Retrieved December 1, 2020.
  6. 1 2 Levy, Emanuel (October 14, 1996). "To Gillian on Her 37th Birthday Review". Variety .
  7. 1 2 Kempley, Rita (October 25, 1996). "'To Gillian on Her 37th Birthday'". The Washington Post .
  8. Ebert, Roger (October 18, 1996). "To Gillian On Her 37th Birthday". Chicago Sun-Times .
  9. 1 2 Mathews, Jack (October 18, 1996). "To Gillian on Her 37th Birthday". Los Angeles Times .
  10. LaSalle, Mick (October 18, 1996). "FILM REVIEW - A Lifeless Story of Grief / Not enough seems at stake in 'Gillian'". San Francisco Chronicle .
  11. "18th Youth In Film Awards". YoungArtistAwards.org. Archived from the original on April 2, 2011. Retrieved September 1, 2023.