Premiere magazine, October 1995

© 1995 Premiere Publishing Co., LCC

Sysopsis

Episodic ensemble piece; written by Jane Anderson, from the novel by Whitney Otto; directed by Jocelyn Moorehouse; starring Winona Ryder, Anne Bancroft, Ellen Burstyn, and Jean Simmons; from Universal via Amblin

The Pitch

A young woman [Ryder] contemplating marriage listens to the love stories told by the women sewing her wedding quilt. An Occidental Joy Luck Club.

The Backstory

Director Moorehouse, busy producing Muriel's Wedding in Australia, was sent the script and sealed the deal over the phone after conferring with Steven Spielburg.

The Buzz

Witty, moving. Ryder is luscious; supporting-actress nominations seem likely.

Coverage

The cast's vetran actresses "adored Winona," says Moorhouse. "It was like the script in that there were all these older women who [were] constantly giving her advice." One such vet is Jean Simmons: "She's very small and ladylike. I had to put her in the middle of this windstorm and hurl her about. I fully expected her to just fall over. I did in fact ask her if she wanted tea, and she said, 'No, no, I'll be all right, just let me have a cigaratte.'"