Splendor in the Grass Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Hormones collide in 1920s Kansas when a football star and a sensitive girl are forbidden from doing the deed, leading to economic downturn and bathtub screaming.

🍿 Splendor in the Grass: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Small-Town Love in 1920s Kansas

The film opens in 1928 in a small, oil-rich town in Kansas. High school sweethearts Bud Stamper, a football star, and Deanie Loomis, a sensitive and loving girl, are deeply in love. However, their relationship is fraught with the pressures of societal expectations and parental influence.

Conflicting Parental Expectations

Bud’s overbearing father, Ace, a wealthy oil baron, expects him to attend Yale, regardless of Bud’s own desires to be a farmer. Meanwhile, Deanie’s mother pressures her to remain a virgin, believing it’s the only way to secure a marriage proposal from Bud. These conflicting expectations create tension and strain in Bud and Deanie’s relationship.

The Breaking Point

As pressures mount, Bud and Deanie struggle to navigate their desires and societal constraints. Bud’s sexual frustration leads him to seek release elsewhere, devastating Deanie and triggering a mental breakdown. This breakdown is symbolized by the infamous bathtub scene, where Deanie’s pent-up emotions explode.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Wilma Dean Loomis (Natalie Wood): A sensitive high school girl struggling with repressed desires and societal expectations, leading to emotional breakdown.
• Bud Stamper (Warren Beatty): A conflicted football star torn between his love for Deanie and his overbearing father’s ambitions for him.
• Ace Stamper (Pat Hingle): Bud’s domineering and wealthy father who pressures his son to pursue a future at Yale, interfering with his relationship with Deanie.
• Mrs. Loomis (Audrey Christie): Deanie’s mother who instills in her daughter the belief that premarital sex will ruin her chances of a good marriage.
• Ginny Stamper (Barbara Loden): Bud’s rebellious and promiscuous sister who serves as a cautionary tale and a symbol of societal judgment.
• Angelina (Zohra Lampert): A kind waitress who Bud meets in college and eventually marries, representing a more stable and practical life.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Mrs. Loomis: “Nice girls don’t enjoy it. They just submit.” – Deanie’s mother imparts her rigid and repressive views about sex to her daughter.
• Ace Stamper: “There’s two kinds of girls, Bud. There’s the kind you marry and the kind…” – Bud’s father expresses his cynical and objectifying view of women to his son.
• Deanie: “I’m a good girl, Mama! I am!” – Deanie screams this in desperation during a breakdown, showcasing the immense pressure she feels to conform.
• Deanie: “Though nothing can bring back the hour of splendor in the grass, glory in the flower, we will grieve not; rather find strength in what remains behind.” – Deanie recites Wordsworth’s poem, accepting the loss of her youthful love and finding solace in what remains.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $2.2 million
• Domestic Gross: $8.72 million
• Worldwide Gross: $8.72 million

💥 Splendor in the Grass Reviews

Personal Review

I watched this movie expecting just another old romance, but it hit me way harder than I thought. Natalie Wood’s performance is absolutely heartbreaking, especially during the breakdown scene – I felt so much for her character. The ending, though bittersweet, gave me a sense of hope. Seeing Bud and Deanie accept their separate paths was surprisingly powerful.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of classic Hollywood dramas”
  • “Viewers interested in coming-of-age stories”
  • “Those who appreciate films that explore complex social issues”
  • “Fans of Natalie Wood and Warren Beatty”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Depiction of mental illness”
  • “Suicide attempt”
  • “Sexual content and repression”
  • “Mature themes”

Professional Reviews

• The New York Times: “Kazan’s direction is masterful, capturing the raw emotions of youth. Wood and Beatty deliver unforgettable performances in this poignant tale of love and societal pressure. A truly moving experience.
• Variety: “While the storyline occasionally veers into melodrama, ‘Splendor in the Grass’ succeeds due to its powerful performances and Kazan’s keen eye for detail. The film explores the complexities of adolescence with sensitivity and depth.
• Rotten Tomatoes: “Thanks to powerful acting performances and effective direction, “Splendor in the Grass” continues to resonate to this day. Although dated, the film holds up as a cautionary tale of repressing the true nature of love.

Audience Reactions

Natalie Wood’s performance is unforgettable and emotionally gripping.: Viewers praise the film for its raw emotional honesty and exploration of adolescent love.

The film’s ending provides a realistic and moving conclusion.: The film’s poignant conclusion resonates strongly with audiences, making them accept the complex realities.

Overall Consensus: ‘Splendor in the Grass’ is generally viewed as a powerful and moving drama, with particular praise for Natalie Wood’s performance and its exploration of societal pressures on young love. Though some find it dated, its emotional impact remains significant.

Awards

1. Academy Award (Best Original Screenplay)- 1962

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Pat Hingle suffered severe injuries falling down an elevator shaft shortly before filming, and incorporated his resulting limp into his character, Ace Stamper.”
• “Elia Kazan cast Phyllis Diller in a small role after seeing her perform stand-up comedy, marking one of her earliest film appearances.”

🖥️ How to Watch Splendor in the Grass?

Splendor in the Grass is available for streaming on various platforms. You can rent or buy it on Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check your local listings for TV airings.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Splendor in the Grass, you might like these similar films:

• Rebel Without a Cause (1955): Explores similar themes of teenage angst, parental misunderstandings, and societal pressures on young people.
• A Place in the Sun (1951): A young man’s ambition clashes with his love for a ‘poor’ girl, leading to tragic consequences.
• Picnic (1955): Another William Inge drama about the destructive forces of social conventions and suppressed desires in a small town.
• Call Me By Your Name (2017): Features the intensity of first love and its lasting impact, with a strong sense of nostalgia and longing.

🛒 Splendor in the Grass Related Products

• Splendor in the Grass (Criterion Collection) [Blu-ray]: A pristine transfer of the film with insightful commentary and behind-the-scenes features. Perfect for collectors and cinephiles who want to experience the film in the best possible quality.
• Natalie Wood: A Life: A detailed biography exploring the life and career of Natalie Wood. Includes insights into her role in ‘Splendor in the Grass’ and her personal struggles during that time.
• The Films of Elia Kazan: A critical exploration of Elia Kazan’s filmography, with an entire chapter analyzing the themes and directing style in ‘Splendor in the Grass’.
• Vintage Movie Poster: Splendor in the Grass: A high-quality reprint of the original movie poster. Perfect for decorating a home theater or as a gift for classic film lovers. Captures the nostalgic charm of the film.

🎧 Soundtrack

Splendor in the Grass features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Ode: Intimations of Immortality” – performed by William Wordsworth (recited in film)
• “Auld Lang Syne” – performed by Traditional Scottish Music
• “Theme from Splendor in the Grass” – performed by David Amram

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

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Splendor in the Grass (Wordsworth’s poem in the final scene)

Ever wondered about the meaning behind that poignant poem at the end of ‘Splendor in the Grass’? This video breaks it down and honestly, it makes the ending even more heartbreaking.

Splendor in the Grass 2

Curious what a ‘Splendor in the Grass 2’ could look like? This video might be a funny parody or a weird sequel attempt. Either way, it’s worth a watch for a laugh!

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