Review of The Yellow Handkerchief (2009) by Jennifer W — 05 Mar 2011
A better-than-average road-trip flick about three people pulled and put together because of an empty void found in each of their three lives. William Hurt (Kiss of the Spider Woman, Robin Hood, A History of Violence) is a man who has just been released from prison and is trying to get back to southern Louisiana to find his estranged wife (Maria Bello - The Cooler, A History of Violence, Payback).
He "hitches" a ride alongside a pair of young teenagers who don't know each other as she (Kristen Stewart - Twilight, Panic Room, Into the Wild) has simply asked him (Eddie Redmayne - Elizabeth: The Golden Age, The Other Boleyn Girl, Savage Grace) for a ride across the river.
Martine and Gordy (the teenagers) grow to appreciate the quiet-yet-strange Hurt as he relates to them his past history and why he found himself imprisoned. This is a road picture so there isn't a whole lot of action; but the story is compelling enough and Hurt is always a remarkable actor in any role.
This is the grown-up/mature performance Stewart should be known for -- she received some acclaim for her performance in last year's Welcome to the Rileys; but this is the performance that shows that she can act.
She plays 15 remarkable well and is uncertain of herself and others. She has a lack of confidence here which is realistic and she does brood and mope like she does in the film franchise that has made her a "star" (see [or don't, actually] the Twilight vampire flicks).
The film tries for a slow and mellow feel much like the burgs of this backwoods and slower part of Louisiana in which the film finds itself. It works. The film is contemplative and genuine. While I didn't appreciate or really like the relationship between Gordy and Martine, I actually somewhat treasured the one between Martine and Hurt's character, Brett Hanson.
With a title that doesn't offer itself up easily to a recommendation, The Yellow Handkerchief is a tough sell but it is one that could be admired if given the its due respect.
This review of The Yellow Handkerchief (2009) was written by Jennifer W on 05 Mar 2011.
The Yellow Handkerchief has generally received positive reviews.
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