The Spitfire Grill

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The Spitfire Grill ★★ ½ Care of the Spitfire Grill 1995 (PG-13)

Newly released from prison, Perry Talbott (Elliott) moves to smalltown Gilead, Maine, and gets a waitressing job at the Spitfire Grill, run by the cranky Hannah (Burstyn). Perry's up-front about her jail time, which doesn't endear her to the suspicious locals. Particularly censorious is businessman Nahum Goddard (Patton), who sends his downtrodden wife Shelby (Harden) to keep an eye on Perry. There are a number of personal dilemmas that take their toll in this familiar setting—redeemed by strong performances. 117m/C VHS, DVD . Alison Elliott, Ellen Burstyn, Marcia Gay Harden, Will Patton, Kieran Mulroney, Gailard Sartain, Louise De Cormier, John M. Jackson; D: Lee David Zlotoff; W: Lee David Zlotoff; C: Rob Draper; M: James Horner. Sundance '96: Aud. Award.

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