JLRMovieReviews
Robert Mitchum, Eleanor Parker, George Peppard and George Hamilton star in this family drama, directed by Vincente Minnelli. Mitchum has a bad reputation in his small hometown as an unfaithful husband to wife Parker and with other men's wives. He may even be shot by a jealous husband someday, I think somebody in the film said. Because of this and probably other reasons, Parker has been passively punishing him by withdrawing from him and withholding affection and attention. Hamilton is the son, babied by mama and practically ignored by daddy. But one day Mitchum decides Hamilton is to man-up, after Hamilton is a victim of one of the town's male citizens' pranks. Peppard is an employee of Michum's who works in the fields, does manual labor, etc. and basically goes wherever Mitchum goes. But there's a story there. This is the outline of this movie about a dysfunctional family and how they relate (or don't relate) to each other. I saw this back around 1997 or 1998 and I remember on the whole not liking it terribly much. I think I didn't like the dysfunction of the family and the miscommunication. But today, while I still don't consider it an entirely satisfying movie experience, I do appreciate the performances more and find the ending in a odd way very realistic. I read here in a few others' reviews that they consider this one of Minnelli's unsung classics; I do agree that it has the Minnelli touch with its grade-A production. But I think one's enjoyment of it depends on one's liking and involvement of the characters. "Home from the Hill" seems a bit played over the top in parts, but makes for a rather modest way of spending two hours and a half with good actors.
MartinHafer
Robert Mitchum is a rich and powerful man. He's also a 'man's man'--tough, adventurous, a great hunter and one who likes to lead a manly life. However, he also has the morals of a sewer rat--and frequently sleeps with women--even though he's married (to Eleanor Parker). As a result, their marriage is VERY strained and they are distant. They have a son (George Hamilton) and the parents both want to shape him into their sort of man. As for Hamilton, he desperately wants to be respected by his father and be the manly sort. He has no idea what sort of reprobate his father is--that is, until he asks out a nice girl and her father flatly refuses to allow this. The pair decide to start dating on the sly.As Hamilton is molded into a man like his father, he's told by his father to be mentored by one of his most trusted employees (George Peppard). Eventually, however, Hamilton learns that this 'employee' is actually his dad's illegitimate son as well what sort of man his father really is--and it sends him off the deep end. When his girlfriend becomes pregnant, what sort of man will Hamilton turn out to be? And, what will become of this rich but no account family? And what about George Peppard--what about him?! This is a glossy soap opera, though it may not appear so when it begins. In many ways, it's in the same tradition as "Peyton Place" and "A Summer Place"--enjoyable, glossy, very well-acted and a bit trashy--but mostly enjoyable. It ended very well--very, very well. And, the film has a lot to say about what it means to be a man...a REAL man.
moonspinner55
Southeast Texas game-hunter, a married man with a reputation for womanizing, wants to get a hunting rifle into the hands of his son, whom he fears is becoming a mama's boy; meanwhile, a young, swaggering associate of the hunter teaches the mild-mannered lad about girls. In the earliest portions of "Home from the Hill", director Vincente Minnelli nearly reconstructs a rural variation on "Tea and Sympathy" (which he also directed); after a muddled, melodramatic opening, the film becomes less a coming-of-age story than a tale of family secrets revealed, and the second-half of the picture is surprisingly serious and bracing (though rendered in typically glossy M-G-M fashion). George Peppard and George Hamilton are both excellent, far outshining the unhappy adults (Robert Mitchum--miscast--and Eleanor Parker, who keeps fiddling with her costumes as if she were a maiden lady). Peppard, in particular, has some wonderful physical bits of business, convincingly playing a small-town bachelor stud toying with the idea of growing up. Minnelli allows the dialogue-heavy plot to unfold carefully, slowly, but those who stick with it will find a rewarding drama of honor and responsibility. Constance Ford is terrific in small role as a bar floozy, and Everett Sloane gives a highly sympathetic turn as a businessman with family troubles of his own. **1/2 from ****
kenjha
A rich and powerful landowner tries to make a man out of his tenderfoot son while dealing with an illegitimate son and an estranged wife. This is perhaps the finest drama Minnelli ever made, as he elicits terrific performances from his stars. Mitchum is perfectly cast as the hard-drinking womanizer who has some regrets. Parker occasionally goes overboard but is otherwise fine as his estranged wife. Peppard turns in arguably his best performance as Mitchum's son from a dalliance with a maid. Even Hamilton does well in a role that seems to be tailor-made for Anthony Perkins. This long and absorbing drama is marked by good cinematography and score.
AD
