Ironweed

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Ironweed ★★★ 1987 (R)

Grim and gritty drama about bums living the hard life in Depressionera Albany. Nicholson excels as a former ballplayer turned drunk bothered by visions of the past, and Streep is his equal in the lesser role of a tubercular boozer. Waits also shines. Another grim view from “Pixote” director Babenco. Kennedy scripted based on his Pulitzer Prizewinning tragedy. 135m/C VHS . Jack Nicholson, Meryl Streep, Tom Waits, Carroll Baker, Michael O'Keefe, Fred Gwynne, Diane Venora, Margaret Whitton, Jake Dengel, Nathan Lane, James Gammon, Joe Grifasi, Bethel Leslie, Ted Levine, Frank Whaley; D: Hector Babenco; W: William Kennedy; M: John Morris. L.A. Film Critics ‘87: Actor (Nicholson); N.Y. Film Critics ‘87: Actor (Nicholson).