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{{Short description|1987 film by Alan J. Pakula}}
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{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2021}}
{{Infobox film
{{Infobox film
| name = Orphans
| name = Orphans
| image = Orphans 1987.jpg
| image = Orphans 1987.jpg
| image_size =
| alt =
| alt =
| caption = Theatrical release poster
| caption = Theatrical release poster
| director = [[Alan J. Pakula]]
| director = [[Alan J. Pakula]]
| producer = Alan J. Pakula<br>Susan Solt
| producer = Alan J. Pakula<br />Susan Solt
| writer = '''Play/Screenplay:'''<br>[[Lyle Kessler]]
| writer = [[Lyle Kessler]]
| based_on = ''[[Orphans (Lyle Kessler play)|Orphans]]'' by Lyle Kessler
| narrator =
| starring = [[Albert Finney]]<br>[[Matthew Modine]]<br>[[Kevin Anderson (actor)|Kevin Anderson]]
| starring = {{Plainlist|
* [[Albert Finney]]
* [[Matthew Modine]]
* [[Kevin Anderson (actor)|Kevin Anderson]]
⚫
}}
| music = [[Michael Small]]
| music = [[Michael Small]]
| cinematography = [[Donald McAlpine]]
| cinematography = [[Donald McAlpine]]
| editing = Evan A. Lottman
| editing = Evan A. Lottman
| studio =
| distributor = [[Lorimar Motion Pictures]]
| distributor = [[Lorimar Motion Pictures]]
| released = 18 September 1987
| released = {{Film date|df=yes|1987|09|18}}
| runtime = 115 minutes
| runtime = 115 minutes
| country = {{flag|United States}}
| country = United States
| language = English
| language = English
| budget =
| budget = $15 million
| gross = $252,430 (USA)
| gross = $252,430
| preceded_by =
| followed_by =
}}
}}
'''''Orphans''''' is a 1987 American [[drama (film and television)|drama film]] directed by [[Alan J. Pakula]]. Written by [[Lyle Kessler]], based on his [[Orphans (Lyle Kessler play)|1983 play of the same name]], the film follows two orphaned brothers ([[Matthew Modine]] and [[Kevin Anderson (actor)|Kevin Anderson]]) as they navigate life on their own.

'''''Orphans''''' is a [[1987 film]] directed by [[Alan J. Pakula]]. It was written by [[Lyle Kessler]], based on his [[Orphans (Lyle Kessler play)|play.]]


==Plot==
==Plot==
Treat ([[Matthew Modine]]) and Phillip ([[Kevin Anderson (actor)|Kevin Anderson]]) are two brothers living alone in a rundown row house in Newark, New Jersey. Treat, the elder, is a violent pickpocket who spends the day robbing people in order to provide for himself and Phillip. Meanwhile, at home, Phillip tries to educate himself via words in magazines and watching TV.
{{Expand section|date=October 2009}}
Brothers Treat ([[Matthew Modine]]) and Philip ([[Kevin Anderson (actor)|Kevin Anderson]]) have lived alone since they were kids when a small time criminal enters their lives.


Treat kidnaps a mysterious man from a bar, with a briefcase full of stocks and bonds. Known as Harold ([[Albert Finney]]), he turns the tables on his abductor and begins to assimilate himself into the brothers' lives, turning Treat into a gentleman and giving Phillip the encouragement he needs.
==Principal cast==

{| class="wikitable" width="50%"
But there are people who have picked up on Harold's disappearance. As Harold helps Phillip overcome his [[agoraphobia]] (Treat has him under the influence that he will die upon contact with the outside world), tensions begin to run high in the household.
|- bgcolor="#CCCCCC"

! Actor !! Role
One night, after an argument between the brothers, Harold returns and is revealed to have been fatally wounded. He dies on the couch, with Phillip by his side. Treat breaks down in tears, and Phillip comforts him.
|-

| [[Albert Finney]] ||Harold
==Cast==
|-
| [[Matthew Modine]] || Treat
* [[Albert Finney]] as Harold
* [[Matthew Modine]] as Treat
|-
| [[Kevin Anderson (actor)|Kevin Anderson]]|| Phillip
* [[Kevin Anderson (actor)|Kevin Anderson]] as Phillip
⚫
* [[John Kellogg (actor)|John Kellogg]] as Barney
|-
* [[Anthony Heald]] as Man in park
⚫
| [[John Kellogg (actor)|John Kellogg]] || Barney
⚫
* [[Novella Nelson]] as Mattie
|-
| [[Anthony Heald]] || Man in Park
* [[Elizabeth Parrish]] as Rich woman
* [[Raymond J. Barry#Personal life|B. Constance Barry]] as Woman in crosswalk
|-
* Frank Ferrara as Cab driver
⚫
| [[Novella Nelson]] || Mattie
* Clifford Fearl as Doorman
|-
| [[Elizabeth Parrish]] || Rich Woman
⚫
|}


==Critical reception==
==Critical reception==
[[File:Orphans French.jpg|225px|thumb|left|French Version of Orphans Movie Poster]]
[[Vincent Canby]] of the ''[[New York Times]]'' enjoyed the film:
[[Vincent Canby]] of the ''[[New York Times]]'' enjoyed the film:
{{cquote |Mr. Pakula's achievement is in making a film that's simultaneously theatrical and cinematic. ''Orphans'' honors both worlds.<ref>http://movies.nytimes.com/movie/review?_r=1&res=9B0DE3DC163CF93BA2575AC0A961948260</ref>}}
{{cquote |Mr. Pakula's achievement is in making a film that's simultaneously theatrical and cinematic. ''Orphans'' honors both worlds.<ref>{{cite news| url=https://movies.nytimes.com/movie/review?_r=1&res=9B0DE3DC163CF93BA2575AC0A961948260 | work=The New York Times | first=Vincent | last=Canby | title=Film: 'Orphans,' Based on the Play | date=18 September 1987}}</ref>}}
[[Roger Ebert]] of the ''[[Chicago Sun-Times]]'' gave it two and a half stars out of four and had this to say:
[[Roger Ebert]] of the ''[[Chicago Sun-Times]]'' gave it two and a half stars out of four and had this to say:
{{cquote |''Orphans'' is a good play about behavior that has been turned into a mediocre movie about nothing much at all.<ref>http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/19870925/REVIEWS/709250303/1023</ref>}}
{{cquote |''Orphans'' is a good play about behavior that has been turned into a mediocre movie about nothing much at all.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/19870925/REVIEWS/709250303/1023 |title=Orphans :: rogerebert.com :: Reviews |publisher=Rogerebert.suntimes.com |date= 25 September 1987|access-date=2012-12-11}}</ref>}}


==References==
==References==
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== External links ==
== External links ==
* {{IMDb title|0093683|Orphans}}
* {{IMDb title|0093683|Orphans}}
* {{amg movie|36679|Orphans}}
* {{allMovie title|36679|Orphans}}
* {{Mojo title|orphans87}}
* {{Rotten Tomatoes|1015698_orphans}}


{{Alan J. Pakula Films}}
{{Alan J. Pakula}}

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{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2011}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Orphans}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Orphans}}
[[Category:1987 films]]
[[Category:1987 films]]
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[[Category:1987 drama films]]
[[Category:American drama films]]
[[Category:American drama films]]
[[Category:English-language films]]
[[Category:1980s English-language films]]
[[Category:Films about orphans]]
[[Category:Films about orphans]]
[[Category:Films based on plays]]
[[Category:American films based on plays]]
[[Category:Films shot in New York City]]
[[Category:Films shot in New York City]]
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[[Category:1980s drama films]]
[[Category:Films directed by Alan J. Pakula]]
[[Category:Films directed by Alan J. Pakula]]
[[Category:Films scored by Michael Small]]

[[Category:1980s American films]]
[[it:Un ostaggio di riguardo]]
[[Category:English-language drama films]]

Latest revision as of 22:24, 20 December 2023

Orphans
Theatrical release poster
Directed byAlan J. Pakula
Written byLyle Kessler
Based onOrphans by Lyle Kessler
Produced byAlan J. Pakula
Susan Solt
Starring
CinematographyDonald McAlpine
Edited byEvan A. Lottman
Music byMichael Small
Distributed byLorimar Motion Pictures
Release date
  • 18 September 1987 (1987-09-18)
Running time
115 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Budget$15 million
Box office$252,430

Orphans is a 1987 American drama film directed by Alan J. Pakula. Written by Lyle Kessler, based on his 1983 play of the same name, the film follows two orphaned brothers (Matthew Modine and Kevin Anderson) as they navigate life on their own.

Plot

[edit]

Treat (Matthew Modine) and Phillip (Kevin Anderson) are two brothers living alone in a rundown row house in Newark, New Jersey. Treat, the elder, is a violent pickpocket who spends the day robbing people in order to provide for himself and Phillip. Meanwhile, at home, Phillip tries to educate himself via words in magazines and watching TV.

Treat kidnaps a mysterious man from a bar, with a briefcase full of stocks and bonds. Known as Harold (Albert Finney), he turns the tables on his abductor and begins to assimilate himself into the brothers' lives, turning Treat into a gentleman and giving Phillip the encouragement he needs.

But there are people who have picked up on Harold's disappearance. As Harold helps Phillip overcome his agoraphobia (Treat has him under the influence that he will die upon contact with the outside world), tensions begin to run high in the household.

One night, after an argument between the brothers, Harold returns and is revealed to have been fatally wounded. He dies on the couch, with Phillip by his side. Treat breaks down in tears, and Phillip comforts him.

Cast

[edit]

Critical reception

[edit]

Vincent Canby of the New York Times enjoyed the film:

Mr. Pakula's achievement is in making a film that's simultaneously theatrical and cinematic. Orphans honors both worlds.[1]

Roger Ebert of the Chicago Sun-Times gave it two and a half stars out of four and had this to say:

Orphans is a good play about behavior that has been turned into a mediocre movie about nothing much at all.[2]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Canby, Vincent (18 September 1987). "Film: 'Orphans,' Based on the Play". The New York Times.
  2. ^ "Orphans :: rogerebert.com :: Reviews". Rogerebert.suntimes.com. 25 September 1987. Retrieved 11 December 2012.
[edit]
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