The Spitfire Grill (1996)

I have only just seen this wonderful film on TV and it has touched me beyond what words can describe. It is the story of how the arrival of a young woman, who has just been released from prison, comes to a small town as an outsider who is a bit rough around the edges at first. Percy is trying to make a new start in a picturesque town where everyone knows everyone and where strangers and change are perceived as a threat to normal life.

The depth of the characters and all the normal life's tragedies and people's strength and frailties are in perfect balance and wonderfully written and portrayed by the actors. In a small community like this town, it is much easier to see that the action of one affects many people around. Percy touches the lives of many people, but some of them do not realize how special she is until it is too late. But the changes and beauty she brings to the town outlive her in the hearts of these people.

This film shows love, beauty, redemption as well as great sorrow and loss. It is a true masterpiece!

Fmovies: For a film that won the audience award at Sundance, this film must have played briefly in this area, as I have no memory of it when it was released. I saw it on cable recently; it was a surprise, but in retrospect, there are a few things that bothered me later.

It appears this is the first film for the director. Lee David Zlotoff is a product of television, as far as I've learned. Not having seen anything he has created before, I can only compare this film to similar fare one sees in the "movie-of-the-week" film made for that medium.

I have no way of knowing if the accents these actors speak are really from Maine, or from the South, as I have never met any one from that state where the action takes place. That said, the film will not disappoint because it tells a good story. It's easy to like, although it is predictable.

Young Percy Talbot can't shake her past. Instead of fleeing to a big city and getting lost there, she selects the small town of Gilead in rural Maine. Her choice of locales will proves Percy wrong. In the town, she manages to touch the lives of a lot of the local folk, who in return, show her kindness, after an initial rejection.

Allison Elliott was effective as the young woman. Ellen Burstyn, as Hannah, is quite good. Marcia Gay Harden underplays Shelby, the woman who gains Percy's trust. Will Patton is the only one that has nothing to do in the film.

This film was written and directed by a MAN, Lee David Zlotoff, whose only other major film contribution was creating the MacGyver TV series. How could such a MAN convey the deep sensitivity in 'Spitfire Grill'? Percy's boyfriend, the sheriff, and Ely all are portrayed as sensitive and caring MEN. Isn't it strange that some of the MALE film critics could not feel this film with their hearts?

MacGyver director-writer Zlotoff was honest enough to show the faults of MEN, and woman as well. Tremendous care and perception was needed to successfully convey the multi-layered messages in this film. Not only did Zlotoff do justice to MEN, but to women as well. The themes of Love, Suffering, and the Truth were all superbly enacted.

Bravo !

The Spitfire Grill fmovies. I just loved this movie. Perfectly cast. What a sleeper. Alison Elliott should been cast as the replacement for Jodie Foster in the Silence of the Lambs series. SEE IT!

Can't believe that anybody could write a poor review of this film. It is absolutely one of the best pictures I have seen in a very long time. Anybody who criticizes it just doesn't get it. But then again, I notice most of the negative reviews have been posted by men who obviously have no sensitivity.

Between Mr. Zlotoff's excellent writing and James Horner's awesome score, I was just blown away by this movie. It is just a beautiful film. I just wish that this would be the type and caliber of what Hollywood would offer us as a form of entertainment.

Go rent or buy this video!!! I didn't recognize many of the actors, but they were Award quality. Of course, I know Ellen Bursten but the main character was soooo good and perfect for this role. I love the story of the son, "Johnny B"...very moving. The talents of this character are remarkable...the things he makes out of nature. It makes you feel like you are in this small little town, getting to know all the people. I've never lived in a small town, but this is like Hometown America. It was tragic, funny, sad, romantic, and just the place you would want to visit. I watched this movie over 6 times already and I will never get tired of it. A classic to be sure!