Library Journal Review

Sally Field produced and stars in this 1995 film about Bess Steed Garner (based on Elizabeth Forsythe Hailey's 1978 novel), who becomes a woman of means during her marriage to her first husband, with a bequest from her mother. The decades from the early part of the 20th century through the war years are authentically portrayed through location filming and detailed costumes. Later sections are represented mainly via clothes and cars, and since Bess's life is not as emotionally rich and complex at that time, the third portion of the film feels a bit thin. Field's performance, though, is nuanced and consistent. Tony Goldwyn is very strong as Bess's first husband; Brenda Fricker is compelling as her mother-in-law. Excellent for public libraries; viewers will be riveted.-Melody A. Moxley, Rowan P.L., Salisbury, NC (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.