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Poster for Ironweed

Ironweed

Hard times and Good times. Francis and Helen.

1987 · 2h 23m · R Drama
Directed by Héctor Babenco

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Overview

An alcoholic drifter spends Halloween in his hometown of Albany, New York after returning there for the first time in decades.

Director and cast

Critics on Rotten Tomatoes

Top critics, in their words

All reviews
58%
Tomatometer
Rotten

Watching "Ironweed" is like having a large, metal object lodged in your brain for 2 1/2 hours. It hurts.

Dave Kehr, Chicago Tribune
Rotten

The film becomes becalmed and confusing; it lacks the novel's great unwavering trajectory.

Sheila Benson, Los Angeles Times
Rotten

Unrelentingly bleak, Ironweed is a film without an audience and no reason for being except its own self-importance.

Variety Staff, Variety
Fresh

At last, a real part for Nicholson to sink his teeth into.

Geoff Andrew, Time Out
Rotten

Despite its nearly two-and-a-half-hour running time, its superstar cast and its $23 million budget, Mr. Babenco's ''Ironweed'' is skeletal, a mere outline of Mr. Kennedy's far more resonant book.

Janet Maslin, New York Times

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