How to Make an American Quilt
- Winona Ryder: Finn Dodd
- Anne Bancroft: Glady Joe Cleary
- Ellen Burstyn: Hy Dodd
- Kate Nelligan: Constance Saunders
- Alfre Woodard: Marianna
- Jared Leto: Beck
- Kaelynn Craddick: Finn as a child
- Sara Craddick: Finn as a child
- Kate Capshaw: Sally, Finn's mother
- Adam Baldwin: Finn's father
- Dermot Mulroney: Sam
Make an American Quilt ( How to Make an American Quilt ) is an American film drama directed by Jocelyn Moorhouse from the year 1995. The plot is based on a novel by Whitney Otto from the year 1991., The main role is played by Winona Ryder.
Action
The college graduate Finn Dodd is preparing for her master's degree. After her boyfriend has asked for her hand, she wants to spend time for themselves and their semester break at her grandmother Hy Dodd, who moved to her sister Glady Joe Cleary, after her husband had died. The friends of the two women prepare at the same time before sewing a new quilt. It turns out that this is to be a wedding gift for Finn. The theme of the quilt is " where love resides. "
The women, all of which incorporate some of their love stories in the quilt, tell their stories gradually. Finn is confused by the fact they do not believe in monogamy. This setting their lived before her mother Sally, who soon after Finn's birth separated from her husband. Finn learn in one of the hottest days of summer a young man in a swimming pool know who turned her head. She begins an affair with him and hopes that they will then be truly clear about whether they want to stay with her Sam or not.
After much back and forth takes her from her mother 's decision, by proclaiming her daughter that she was going to marry her father again. Finn is confused and has a bad conscience because of infidelity. Her mother tells her not to say anything. After the quilt is completed, also Finn has decided to stay with Sam.
Reviews
James Berardinelli wrote on ReelViews, the film's plot is similar to a quilt. He praised highly the illustrations, especially those of Winona Ryder, Anne Bancroft, Ellen Burstyn, Maya Angelou, Rip Torn, Claire Danes and Kate Capshaw. However, the number of characters in the film is too big.
Roger Ebert wrote in the Chicago Sun - Times that the life stories of Marianna and Sally would most affect him. Most of the characters had, however, as re-used from dime novels. The scene in which the leaves of Finn's thesis are swirled by a storm through the gardens, is unforgivable. The storm would serve only as a "plot device" ( as a matter that has been cheated into it in the film script, as this allows the action to be pursued ).
Awards
Winona Ryder and Dermot Mulroney have been nominated for the 1996 MTV Movie Award. Maya Angelou and Alfre Woodard were nominated for the 1996 Image Award. The cast film was nominated for the 1996 Screen Actors Guild Award.