One True Thing Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A journalist has to move back home to take care of her mom, and learns that maybe her dad isn’t so great after all, and everyone’s keeping secrets.

🍿 One True Thing: Detailed Plot Synopsis

The Gulden Family

Ellen Gulden, a successful magazine writer in New York City, returns home for her father’s birthday to find her mother, Kate, diagnosed with cancer. Her father, George, a respected English professor, insists Ellen take leave from her job to care for Kate. Ellen resents leaving her career and boyfriend behind, especially because she’s never been close to her mother.

Changing Dynamics

As Ellen cares for her mother, she begins to see Kate in a new light, appreciating her warmth, strength, and dedication to the family. She also begins to notice her father’s detachment, potential infidelity, and reliance on Kate for everything. Ellen’s perception of her parents shifts as she matures and sees their flaws and strengths more clearly.

The Final Months

Kate’s condition worsens, and she requires increasing amounts of morphine for pain management. Ellen and George struggle to cope with her decline. Tensions rise, and Ellen confronts her father about his behavior. Kate, sensing the conflict, tries to impart wisdom to Ellen about marriage and accepting life’s imperfections.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Kate Gulden (Meryl Streep): A loving and devoted homemaker and mother who faces terminal cancer with grace and humor, forcing her family to confront their relationships and values.
• Ellen Gulden (Renée Zellweger): A driven career woman who returns home to care for her ailing mother, reassessing her relationship with both of her parents and discovering her mother’s true strength.
• George Gulden (William Hurt): An esteemed English professor and father who struggles to cope with his wife’s illness, revealing his flaws and vulnerabilities to his daughter.
• Brian Gulden (Tom Everett Scott): The supportive son who maintains a close relationship with his mother and offers a different perspective on the family dynamics.
• Jules (Lauren Graham): Ellen’s supportive and understanding best friend who provides a sounding board as Ellen navigates her family crisis.
• District Attorney (James Eckhouse): The investigator looking into the circumstances surrounding Kate’s death.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Kate Gulden: “It’s so much easier to be happy, my love. It’s so much easier to choose to love the things that you have, and you have so much, instead of always yearning for what you’re missing, or what it is you’re imagining you’re missing. It’s so much more peaceful.” – Kate shares her philosophy on life with Ellen, emphasizing contentment and gratitude over constant longing.
• George Gulden: “You have a Harvard education but where is your heart?” – George questions Ellen’s priorities and values, highlighting the emotional distance between them.
• Kate Gulden: “This is no way to live.” – Kate expresses her despair and frustration with her deteriorating health and loss of quality of life.
• George Gulden: “I loved your mother, she was my one true thing.” – George finally expresses his deep affection for Kate at her graveside, acknowledging her central role in his life.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $30,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $23,245,840
• Worldwide Gross: $26,616,840

💥 One True Thing Reviews

Personal Review

This movie really hit me hard. I wasn’t prepared for how emotionally raw it would be. Seeing Meryl Streep’s character slowly fade was heartbreaking. The scene where Renee Zellweger bathes her mother is probably the most impactful one for me, showing a side of cancer that’s often not seen. You also start to understand how much the mother means to that small community that she helps keep alive with her involvement and charity. It also made me re-evaluate my own family relationships.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of family dramas”
  • “Viewers who enjoy movies starring Meryl Streep, Renée Zellweger, or William Hurt”
  • “People interested in stories about mother-daughter relationships”
  • “Those who appreciate films that explore themes of illness, death, and grief”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Themes of terminal illness and death”
  • “Discussion of infidelity”
  • “Brief strong language”
  • “Implied assisted suicide”

Professional Reviews

• Variety: “Meryl Streep delivers a nuanced performance as a woman facing mortality, while Zellweger captures the daughter’s journey from resentment to understanding. The film explores family dynamics and the hidden complexities of seemingly ordinary lives.
• RogerEbert.com: “Carl Franklin directs with sensitivity, drawing out strong performances from the cast. The film tackles difficult themes with grace, avoiding melodrama and focusing on the characters’ emotional truths.
• The New York Times: “The film’s strength lies in its performances, particularly Streep’s portrayal of a woman finding strength in the face of death. Zellweger effectively conveys the daughter’s evolving perspective.

Audience Reactions

Meryl Streep’s performance is unforgettable, showcasing her incredible range as an actress.: Viewers consistently praise the acting, especially Meryl Streep’s portrayal of a mother facing a terminal illness.

The film’s exploration of family secrets and complex relationships resonates deeply with viewers.: Many appreciate the film’s realistic portrayal of family dynamics and the challenges of caring for a loved one.

Overall Consensus: One True Thing is a well-acted and emotionally resonant drama that explores the complexities of family relationships in the face of terminal illness. It is praised for its strong performances and realistic portrayal of difficult themes.

Awards

1. National Board of Review (Best Supporting Actress)- 1998

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Meryl Streep personally contacted Bette Midler to request permission to use her song ‘My One True Friend’ in the movie, and Midler immediately agreed.”
• “The film is based on the novel of the same name by Anna Quindlen, which drew heavily from Quindlen’s own experiences with her mother’s illness and death.”
• “Director Carl Franklin is known for his versatility, having directed films in various genres including thrillers (‘One False Move’) and crime dramas (‘Devil in a Blue Dress’). ‘One True Thing’ marked a departure into more emotional, character-driven territory.”

🖥️ How to Watch One True Thing?

One True Thing is available for rent or purchase on various platforms including Prime Video, Apple TV, and Google Play Movies. Check your local listings for streaming availability. Physical copies (DVD/Blu-ray) can also be purchased online from retailers like Amazon and major department stores.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed One True Thing, you might like these similar films:

• Terms of Endearment (1983): A classic tearjerker that explores the complex and evolving relationship between a mother and daughter facing serious illness.
• Steel Magnolias (1989): Features a close-knit group of women supporting each other through life’s challenges, including illness and loss, with both humor and pathos.
• The Accidental Tourist (1988): Explores family dynamics and emotional distance during times of grief.
• Manchester by the Sea (2016): A modern drama exploring grief, family secrets, and the difficulty of emotional connection in the face of tragedy.
• Ordinary People (1980): It presents the theme of a family struggling to communicate and connect after a devastating loss, revealing the hidden resentments and emotional scars that linger beneath the surface.

🛒 One True Thing Related Products

• One True Thing [DVD]: Own the DVD of this powerful drama and experience the compelling story and performances firsthand. A great addition to any movie collection.
• Anna Quindlen – One True Thing [Book]: Read the original novel by Anna Quindlen that inspired the film, delving deeper into the story and characters. Enjoy a deeper understanding of the family dynamics and emotional journey.
• Meryl Streep: A Life on Film [Biography]: Explore the career of Meryl Streep, including her role in One True Thing. A detailed look at her artistry and impact on cinema.
• Renee Zellweger Film Collection [DVD]: A collection of Renee Zellweger’s most memorable films including “Jerry Maguire”, “Bridget Jones’s Diary”. Perfect for movie nights and discovering (or re-discovering) her remarkable performances.

🎧 Soundtrack

One True Thing features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “My One True Friend” – performed by Bette Midler

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Do You Support What the Girl Did#shorts

Ever wondered if you’d make the same tough choices as the characters in ‘One True Thing’? This short clip dives into the heart of the movie, making you think about family, sacrifice, and doing what’s right. I definitely found myself questioning my own values after watching, give it a watch!

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