Cross Creek (1983)

A writers film

I adored this film. But I must confess some personal bias here--first, because I've had a crush on Peter Coyote for most of my adult life (though his role here is definitely supporting, not major), and second, because my personal life parallels what Rawlings experienced--though I came to a mountain (with a creek) to do my writing. Rip Torn's performance as Marsh Turner is just stellar--one of the best things I've ever seen him do. And Alfre Woodard 'becomes' Gee Chee in a realistic but not over-the-top portrayal of her character. Really, really lovely film. October 28, 2008

A Life Chosen

Cross Creek is a film of gentle beauty and one of the most refreshing portraits of a writer ever put on celluloid. Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings was one of America's greatest writers, her stories serialized in The Saturday Evening Post, and her memoir, Cross Creek, one of the loveliest evocations of a place and time ever found in American letters. She is much too often dismissed nowadays as too Southern and too sentimental. This is director Martin Ritt's apology for that notion.

Mary Steenburgen captures Rawlings in fine fashion. As the memoir begins, in 1928, she is a writer unhappy with her life in society and the husband from whom she has grown apart. Max Perkins (Malcolm McDowell), her editor, keeps rejecting her gothic romances, so she purchases a run down orange grove in Florida and, after filing for divorce, begins a new life in Cross Creek. What she discovers in this beautiful but harsh place will change who she is as both a person and a writer.

Director Ritt stunningly captures the beauty of Cross Creek and the few people who live there. It is here that Rawlings meets her future husband Norton Bascomb (Peter Coyote) and everyone else who would inspire her great novels. Rawlings slowly becomes a part of Cross Creek as she cares for her orange groves and keeps writing. Her letters to Perkins are better than her romance novels he keeps rejecting and the people of Cross Creek begin to take more and more prominence in her work.

Rip Torn gives a memorable performance as Marsh Turner, and a young Dana Hill is unforgettable as Ellie May, the apple of his eye holding tightly to the last of her youthful dreams in the form of her fawn, Flag. They would be the inspiration for The Yearling. Alfrie Woodard, as the enthusiastic Geechee, put herself on the map with her fine portrayel of Rawlings' housemaid and friend. Joanna Miles is fine as Marsh's wife, a delicate woman who has slipped into a better world due to the harsh nature of life in Cross Creek.

Ritt's direction is sure as he mixes the humor and drama of life in Cross Creek with the inner struggle of a very unique and gutsy woman. This is a gentle but heartfelt tribute to one of America's finest, albeit forgotten writers. It is a warm and lovingly filmed tribute with an elegant performance by Steenburgen as a woman who chose to live her life in a backwoods portion of Florida which she would make famous. A fine film about a fine writer. October 26, 2008

Cross creek

OK, so the actress playing Marjorie Rawlings is not an exact character replica, but the story line follows the book pretty closely, with some minor adjustments. Great movie! October 24, 2008

Memories of my childhood

I have long enjoyed the story of Cross Creek, but the film provided added dimension, including the magnificant scenery of Central Florida. I have lived here (South Florida) all of my life, and it is wonderful to see the flora and fauna which were so familiar to me as a child. September 2, 2008

Entertaining Movie

The movie isnt very accurate in terms of Rawlings' life at Cross Creek, but it's good entertainment. June 11, 2008

More reviews at Amazon.com ...