Ironweed

Ironweed

143 mins | Drama | Dec. 18, 1987

Albany, New York, Halloween, 1938. Francis Phelan and Helen Archer are bums, back in their birth city. She was a singer on the radio, he a major league pitcher. Death surrounds them: she's sick, a pal has cancer, he digs graves at the cemetery and visits the grave of his infant son whom he dropped; visions of his past haunt him, including ghosts of two men he killed. That night, out drinking, Helen tries to sing at a bar. Next day, Fran visits his wife and children and meets a grandson. He could stay, but decides it's not for him. Helen gets their things out of storage and finds a hotel. Amidst their mistakes and dereliction, the film explores their code of fairness and loyalty.

Ironweed

143 mins | Drama | Dec. 18, 1987

Ironweed
Albany, New York, Halloween, 1938. Francis Phelan and Helen Archer are bums, back in their birth city. She was a singer on the radio, he a major league pitcher. Death surrounds them: she's sick, a pal has cancer, he digs graves at the cemetery and visits the grave of his infant son whom he dropped; visions of his past haunt him, including ghosts of two men he killed. That night, out drinking, Helen tries to sing at a bar. Next day, Fran visits his wife and children and meets a grandson. He could stay, but decides it's not for him. Helen gets their things out of storage and finds a hotel. Amidst their mistakes and dereliction, the film explores their code of fairness and loyalty.
IMDb rating 6.7
Producers Keith Barish Productions, TAFT Entertainment Pictures, HBO
Original title Ironweed
Directors Cornelia 'Nini' Rogan, Héctor Babenco
Writers William Kennedy

Cast

Jack Nicholson

as Francis Phelan

Meryl Streep

as Helen Archer

Carroll Baker

as Annie Phelan

Michael O'Keefe

as Billy

Diane Venora

as Peg

Fred Gwynne

as Oscar Reo

Margaret Whitton

as Katrina

Tom Waits

as Rudy

Jake Dengel

as Pee Wee

Nathan Lane

as Harold Allen

James Gammon

as Reverend Chester

Laura Esterman

as Rowdy Dick

Will Zahrn

as Nora

Joe Grifasi

as Jack

Hy Anzell

as Rosskam

Bethel Leslie

as Librarian

Richard Hamilton

as Donovan

Black-Eyed Susan

as Clara

Louise Phillips

as Flower Girl

Marjorie Slocum

as Elderly Woman

Lena Spencer

as Slatternly Woman

Lola Pashalinski

as Fat Woman with Turkey

Paul A. DiCocco Jr.

as Bus Driver

Priscilla Smith

as Sandra

James Dukas

as Finny

Jared Swartout

as Guard Captain

Ted Levine

as Pocono Pete

Martin Patterson

as Foxy Phil Tooker

Terry O'Reilly

as Aldo Campione

Michael O'Gorman

as Strike Leader

Frank Whaley

as Young Francis

Jordan Valdina

as Youth at Strike

Louis St. Louis

as Piano Man

John Wright

as Goblin

Nicole Weden

as Goblin

Peter Pryor

as Goblin

Duane Scholz

as Goblin

Matt McGrath

as Goblin

Lois Barden Stilley

as Mrs. Dillon

Cori Irwin

as Young Girl

Boris McGiver

as Clerk

Phyllis Gottung

as Old Woman

James Yoham

as Bald Man

Ean Egas

as Danny

Nebraska Brace

as Andy

Jeff Morris

as Michigan Mac

William Duell

as Moose

George Rafferty

as Raider

Robert Manion

as Raider

Pat Devane

as Nurse