"The Yellow Handkerchief" boasts A Terrific Ensemble

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Category: James Van Maanen

Published on Thursday, 25 February 2010 11:39

Written by James Van Maanen

The Yellow Handkerchief
directed by Udayan Prasad
adapted from a story by Pete Hamill; screenplay by Erin Dignam
starring William Hurt, Kristen Stewart, Maria Bello, Eddie Redmayne

A feel-good film that does its job quietly, The Yellow Handkerchief also boasts a quartet of fine actors working up to or rather above snuff. Directed by Prasad (My Son, the Fanatic) -- adapted by screenwriter Dignam from a story by Hamill -- this small, 96-minute movie combines past/present and older/younger generations into a nearly seamless fabric that provoked a puddle of happy tears.

One reason The Yellow Handkerchief works so well is the smart interweaving of flashback with the present that Dignam and Prasad have contrived. Though the audience is constantly thrust back and forth in time, these near-immediate transitions augur gracefully enough the sense that something terrible has happened. 

The film begins with the release from prison of a lonely, uncertain character, played with Hurt's usual skill (and zero grandstanding). Yet, the queasiness felt about Hurt's character is almost immediately offset by positives: another inmate grasps his hand warmly upon saying goodbye, telling him with restrained feeling, "We don't wanna see you back here." One after another, these small, good things pile up, and soon we're in Hurt's corner, rooting for him.

The film is about, among other subjects, how strangers come together, and it's a lot more believable in its initial meetings and getting-to-know-you than most films of this type. Even the small-town southern police force seen in this post-Katrina world, if not exactly "kind," at least doesn't exhibit the over-the-top nasty behavior that's more typically presented.

This film is also about caring. "I wanted to make someone care about me," says Martine (the lovely Stewart) by way of explaining why she has hooked up with Hurt's character. What does it take to get others to care about us? The film asks this question implicitly, thank goodness. One of the pleasures of this movie is how softly it treads. People behave and interact; through this we learn all we need to know, as bit by bit the past becomes clear. And when, finally, an explanation is called for, we -- and the characters -- are ready for it.

In addition to Stewart, who grows lovelier and whose acting strengthens with each film, is Bello, who, though she occupies mostly the past, is such a strong actress that she makes that past quite present. But the fourth wheel here is Redmayne (Elizabeth:The Golden Age, The Good Shepherd, Savage Grace and Powder Blue), who brings his unique combination of sweetness, charm and quirk to the mix. 

So tight is this little acting ensemble as they beautifully play off each other (there are no other characters of any note in the movie) that by the finale, they've fully earned the tears you'll shed. For anyone who has wondered what it takes to make someone care about you, here's the chance to see how that works.

For other reviews and articles by James Van Maanen go to: www.TrustMovies.com