Grace (Julia Roberts)’s marriage to her high school sweetheart Eddie (Dennis Quaid) is not exactly in honeymoon period. They have a little daughter named Caroline (Haley Aull) and that seems to be the only thing they have in common. Grace works for her father (Robert Duvall), running the family barn and socializing with a local women’s committee.
Her life changes completely when she catches Eddie cheating. She takes Caroline and moves back to her family’s house, staying at her sister Emma Rae (Kyra Sedgwick)’s separate cottage. Her sister is eager to kick Eddie’s ass, but her father is a lot more concerned about the upcoming deal he will be making with Eddie’s dad than her daughter’s happiness. As for her mother (Gena Rowlands), she is being an old-fashioned, traditional mother who thinks men do stray by nature and it is OK to take them back as long as they are sorry. The only other ally in kicking Eddie’s ass is the “crazy” aunt.
Eddie is missing her daughter, but Grace has no intention of letting him off the hook so easily, especially after she finds out he has strayed a lot and well, strayed with her friends in the committee.
With the help of her upfront and snappy sister Emma, Grace starts to reevaluate all aspects of her life. And the handsome rider/trainer Jamie (Brett Cullen) is back. What’s next for Grace?
Something to Talk About is a lovely little romantic comedy/drama from 1995. I first saw it in the late 90s and loved it. I have seen it a couple of times after that. For me, it is just a nostalgic good time with some of my favorite actors and I also love the concept of “make the cheating bastard suffer”. There are many reasons to see this film but there are also many reasons why some people may not enjoy it. Here are both lists:
Reasons to Like Something to Talk About:
– The Cast: Dennis Quaid, Julia Roberts, Kyra Sedgwick, Robert Duvall, Gena Rowlands and Brett Cullen.
– The nostalgia: It is from 1995- and the actors are notably younger, especially Kyra, Julia, Dennis and Brett.
– The story: Familiar but fun. Written by Callie Khouri.
– The Director: This was directed by Lasse Hallstrom, the Swedish director that gave us Chocolat starring Johnny Depp and Juliette Binoche) , Casanova (starring Heath Ledger and Siena Miller) and What’s Eating Gilbert Grape (starring Johnny Depp, Leonardo DiCaprio and Juliette Lewis)
Reasons Not to Like Something to Talk About:
– The concept isn’t exactly original. There are no twists and surprises, just fun moments.
– The ending. I kinda like it, but I would rather have it go another direction.
– No, I wouldn’t watch this film without this cast.
Favorite Scenes:
– The meal Grace cooks for Eddie
– How Emma Rae keeps Eddie busy when he first drops by after Grace left with their daughter.
– Grace’s going nuts in the committee
– Gena Rowlands’ going rebellious on Robert Duvall
– The very end scene, Julia Roberts’ funny suspicious look.
*Fun note: Dennis Quaid and Gena Rowlands also starred in Playing by Heart together, another romantic comedy drama, again from the 90s. Again, Dennis Quaid’s character is married to a daughter of Gena Rowlands, and there is cheating. But this time, it is the wife who cheats on Quaid.
Other Posts on the Cast
Kyra Sedgwick
Phenomenon starring John Travolta, Kyra Sedgwick and Robert Duvall
The Closer starring Kyra Sedgwick
Dennis Quaid
Other Dennis Quaid Movies
In Good Company starring Dennis Quaid, Topher Grace and Scarlett Johannson
Also recommended for Dennis Quaid fans: Trivia for Meg Ryan, Ex-Mrs.Quaid
Other Julia Roberts Movies
Duplicity starring Julia Roberts and Clive Owen
Closer starring Julia Roberts, Clive Owen, Natalie Portman and Jude Law
Pretty Woman starring Julia Roberts and Richard Gere
Conspiracy Theory starring Julia Roberts and Mel Gibson
Brett Cullen
Life Before Her Eyes starring Uma Thurman, Evan Rachel Wood and Brett Cullen