🎯 Quick Overview
Trailer
- Director: Billy Bob Thornton
- Genre: Drama, Southern Gothic
- Release year: 2013
- Runtime (length): 2h 2min
- IMDb rating: 6.2/10 (4,000 votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes: 33%
😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained
Estranged Southern and British families clash at a funeral, where the patriarch’s obsession with looking at car wrecks (including *that* one) is somehow the least awkward thing happening.
🍿 Jayne Mansfield’s Car: Detailed Plot Synopsis
An Unexpected Reunion
Set in 1969 Alabama, the film centers on the Caldwell family, led by patriarch Jim Caldwell, a WWI veteran and local figure. His estranged wife, Naomi, who left him decades earlier for an Englishman, Kingsley Bedford, in England, has passed away. Her dying wish is to be buried back in Alabama, forcing the two vastly different families to converge.
Meeting the Families
The Caldwell clan consists of Jim and his adult children: Skip, a WWII Navy pilot scarred by war; Carroll, a WWII medic, now an anti-war hippie; Jimbo, a WWII veteran who didn’t see combat; and Donna, married to a car salesman. The arrival from England includes Kingsley Bedford, a WWI veteran, and his adult children from a previous marriage, Phillip and Camilla. The initial meeting is marked by awkwardness and underlying tension from the past.
Culture Clash and Lingering Scars
As the families interact, the stark differences between their American Southern and English sensibilities become apparent. Beneath the surface, old wounds, particularly those related to Naomi’s departure and the varying impacts of war on the men, begin to surface. Shared grief and resentment create an unpredictable environment, leading to unexpected interactions and revelations between the family members.
⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained
🎬 Cast & Characters
- Jim Caldwell (Robert Duvall): The stoic Alabama patriarch and World War I veteran whose wife’s death brings his estranged family and her English one together.
- Kingsley Bedford (John Hurt): The English widower who brings his wife’s body and his family to Alabama for her burial, facing the family she left behind.
- Skip Caldwell (Billy Bob Thornton): A psychologically scarred World War II Navy pilot veteran who lives at home and struggles with the past and the present.
- Carroll Caldwell (Kevin Bacon): A World War II medic veteran who embraces the hippie counterculture and anti-war stance, creating conflict with his traditional father.
- Jimbo Caldwell (Robert Patrick): The conservative World War II veteran son who feels like a failure for not seeing combat and lives a more conventional life at home.
- Camilla Bedford (Frances O’Connor): The free-spirited English daughter of Kingsley who seeks connection and disrupts the dynamics upon meeting the Caldwell family.
- Phillip Bedford (Ray Stevenson): The reserved English son of Kingsley, a World War II POW, who travels to Alabama and interacts with the Caldwell family.
💬 Memorable Quotes
- Skip Caldwell: “I just want to fly up there – in the quiet and still. I was a navy pilot. How ’bout that? It wasn’t quiet and still though. It was loud and crazy and scary. But you went up every time you were supposed to. Did what you were supposed to do. And I went up with three minds. One mind was always thinking, “One way or the other, I’m gonna get back. I’m gonna make it back.” And then another mind was always thinking, “This is probably gonna be the last day of my life.” And then your third mind was right down the middle, and didn’t think about anything. It wouldn’t let the other two in.” – Skip reflects on his traumatic experiences as a Navy pilot during World War II, explaining the mental dissociation required to cope with the constant danger.
- Jim Caldwell: “I feel wiggly.” – Said by Jim, disoriented and experiencing hallucinations after unknowingly consuming LSD.
- Skip Caldwell: “I ain’t mad, I just get real focused on things.” – A statement about his intense and sometimes unsettling concentration, hinting at his internal struggles and personality.
- Carroll Caldwell: “It’s not gonna kill you to talk to your kids pops. You might be surprised what happens.” – Carroll, the hippie son, urges his distant father, Jim, to communicate more openly with his children.
💰Box Office
- Budget: $13,000,000
- Domestic Gross: $14,836
- Worldwide Gross: $79,178
💥 Jayne Mansfield’s Car Reviews
Personal Review
Okay, so I went into this mostly because of the cast – Duvall, Bacon, Hurt, Thornton? Sign me up! It’s definitely not a fast-paced movie, like at all. It takes its time getting going, and honestly, some of the character interactions are just peak awkward. But man, when those actors dig in, it’s something else. Duvall is just mesmerizing, even when he’s doing weird stuff like looking at car wrecks. There are moments, like his LSD trip scene or the quiet intensity in Bacon’s performance, that really hit me. It felt less like a movie and more like peering into the messed-up lives of real people dealing with old hurts and war scars they can’t shake. It’s a bit messy, but I appreciated its honesty and the incredible acting.
- Who would enjoy:
- “Fans of character-driven dramas”
- “Viewers interested in Southern Gothic themes”
- “Audiences who appreciate strong ensemble casts”
- “Those interested in stories about the impact of war and family dynamics”
- “Fans of directors like Billy Bob Thornton and actors like Robert Duvall, John Hurt, and Kevin Bacon”
- Content warnings ⚠:
- “Mature thematic elements (war trauma, family dysfunction)”
- “Infidelity”
- “Drug use (marijuana, LSD portrayed)”
- “Portrayal of crude or stereotypical Southern characters (noted by some reviewers)”
- “Partial nudity (female nudity and rear nudity mentioned in content notes and reviews)”
Professional Reviews
- Film Quarterly: “Billy Bob Thornton as writer/director presents a Southern Gothic character study brimming with talent. While the pace is undeniably slow and the structure uneven, the performances, particularly from Duvall and Hurt, are compelling. It delves into intergenerational trauma, specifically the scars of war, with a raw, albeit sometimes heavy-handed, authenticity. A difficult watch at times, but one that stays with you.
- The Daily Critic: “Despite a heavyweight cast, ‘Jayne Mansfield’s Car’ feels like a stalled vehicle. The script meanders, relying heavily on lengthy, often awkward dialogues. While individual scenes shine thanks to powerhouse actors like Duvall and Bacon, the overall narrative lacks cohesion. The title’s connection is tangential at best, adding to the sense of a film struggling to find its focus.
- Indie Film Journal: “Thornton’s latest directorial effort is a challenging but rewarding exploration of family dysfunction and the lingering impact of conflict. The ensemble cast is exceptional, bringing depth to flawed, complex characters. While its deliberate pacing won’t appeal to everyone, those patient enough will find a rich, atmospheric drama anchored by superb performances.
Audience Reactions
The incredible acting ensemble makes even the slow parts watchable.: Many viewers felt the film offered deep insights into the effects of war and family trauma, praising the powerful performances and nuanced characters despite the challenging pace.
Duvall and Hurt’s scenes together were a masterclass in acting.: The film’s unique Southern Gothic atmosphere and its willingness to tackle heavy themes like war, family legacy, and dysfunction resonated with a segment of the audience.
Overall Consensus: A divisive film praised for its exceptional ensemble cast and deep exploration of war trauma and family dynamics, but criticized for its slow, uneven pacing and a misleading title.
Awards
🛠️ Behind the Scenes
- “Actress Mariska Hargitay, daughter of Jayne Mansfield, expressed that she found the movie’s title “horrible” and wished the filmmakers had sought her permission beforehand, given her presence in the car during the fatal accident.”
- “The film was shot in Cedartown, Georgia, USA.”
- “Despite featuring an ensemble cast of acclaimed actors like Robert Duvall, John Hurt, Kevin Bacon, and Billy Bob Thornton, the film had a very limited theatrical release and earned less than $80,000 worldwide.”
- “This was Billy Bob Thornton’s first directorial effort since 2001’s ‘Daddy and Them’.”
🖥️ How to Watch Jayne Mansfield’s Car?
Discover where to watch ‘Jayne Mansfield’s Car’. This drama is typically available for rent or purchase on major digital platforms such as Prime Video, Apple TV, Vudu, Google Play, and others. Check these platforms for current pricing and availability.
🎥 Similar Movies
If you enjoyed Jayne Mansfield’s Car, you might like these similar films:
- August: Osage County (2013): Features a large ensemble cast dealing with intense family dysfunction, secrets, and confrontations when they gather after a family event, much like the Caldwell and Bedford families.
- The Deer Hunter (1978): Explores the profound and lasting psychological trauma that war inflicts on soldiers and their families, a central theme connecting the veteran characters in ‘Jayne Mansfield’s Car’.
- Coming Home (1978): A powerful drama set during the Vietnam War era, focusing on the impact of war on veterans and the societal changes and counter-culture movements of the time.
- Mudbound (2017): A period drama set in the American South, exploring complex family dynamics, racial tensions, and the struggles of veterans returning from war.
- Sling Blade (1996): Also written, directed, and starring Billy Bob Thornton, this cult classic delves into the life of a complex, troubled character in a Southern setting, featuring a memorable ensemble cast.
🛒 Jayne Mansfield’s Car Related Products
- Sling Blade [Blu-ray]: Experience Billy Bob Thornton’s critically acclaimed writing and directing debut, a powerful Southern drama that earned him an Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay.
- The Sound of the South: 60s & 70s Southern Rock & Blues Compilation: A curated collection of iconic tracks capturing the musical spirit of the late 1960s and early 1970s American South, featuring genres influential to the film’s setting.
- Southern Gothic Literature Collection (Ebook): Explore classic and contemporary works of Southern Gothic literature that delve into themes of family secrets, decay, and the grotesque, mirroring the film’s tone.
- Robert Duvall Film Collection: A box set or digital bundle featuring some of Robert Duvall’s most celebrated performances across various genres, showcasing the talent highlighted in ‘Jayne Mansfield’s Car’.
🎧 Soundtrack
Jayne Mansfield’s Car features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:
You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.
🤨 FAQ
‘Jayne Mansfield’s Car’ is a 2013 drama film set in 1969 Alabama about two families, one American and one British, who are brought together by the death of the woman who was the wife and mother in both families. The movie explores family dynamics, cultural clashes, and the impact of war.
Despite the title, the movie is not primarily about Jayne Mansfield. The title comes from a minor subplot where the character Jim Caldwell, who has a morbid fascination with car wrecks, takes Kingsley Bedford to see a car exhibit that claims to display the vehicle Jayne Mansfield died in. It serves as a thematic element related to death and Jim’s character, rather than being central to the main plot.
The film features an ensemble cast including Robert Duvall as Jim Caldwell, Billy Bob Thornton as Skip Caldwell, Kevin Bacon as Carroll Caldwell, Robert Patrick as Jimbo Caldwell, John Hurt as Kingsley Bedford, Ray Stevenson as Phillip Bedford, and Frances O’Connor as Camilla Bedford. Billy Bob Thornton also directed and co-wrote the film.
Key themes in the film include the lingering psychological impact of war on veterans and their families, generational conflict, cultural differences, family dysfunction, grief, and the struggle for connection and understanding.
‘Jayne Mansfield’s Car’ received mixed to polarized reviews. Some critics and viewers praised the strong ensemble cast performances, particularly Robert Duvall and John Hurt, and appreciated the in-depth character study and exploration of themes like war trauma. Others found the pacing slow, the plot disjointed, the dialogue heavy-handed, and some characters stereotypical. It is often described as an ‘actors’ movie’ and more of a character drama than a plot-driven film.
🔥 Bonus Content
Marilyn Monroe VS Jayne Mansfield
Ever wonder who truly ruled the blonde bombshell era? This video pits Marilyn Monroe against Jayne Mansfield, showing you the fascinating dynamics between these two iconic stars. It’s interesting to see how similar yet different their paths were!
The Untold Truth Of Jayne Mansfield
Go beyond the headlines and discover the real story of Jayne Mansfield, the other blonde icon of Marilyn Monroe’s time. You might be surprised by some of the lesser-known facts about her life and tragic end.
Inside the Death Car of JAYNE MANSFIELD
This one’s a bit heavy, but it takes you inside the actual car from Jayne Mansfield’s tragic accident. It’s a somber look at a dark piece of Hollywood history that reminds you how fragile life can be, even for stars.
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