Resurrection (1980)

Resurrection (1980)

“If we could just love each other as much as we say we love Him… I expect there’d be much less trouble in the world.”

Synopsis:
When Edna Mae (Ellen Burstyn) dies in a car crash, she returns to life with amazing healing powers. While she has the best of intentions, she must deal with those who doubt the veracity and the source of her power, including her abusive new lover, Cal (Sam Shepard).

Genres, Themes, Actors, and Directors:

  • Do-Gooders
  • Ellen Burstyn Films
  • Lois Smith Films
  • Supernatural Powers
  • Untimely Death

Response to Peary’s Review:
Although Peary is an enormous fan of this “special film” which “slipped by moviegoers in 1980”, I find it ultimately unsatisfying. Burstyn’s wonderful performance — which Peary names as Best of the Year in his Alternate Oscars — can’t erase the fact that the script never reaches its full potential; most egregious is the focus on Edna Mae’s romance with the wildly inconsistent Cal, a “spousal-abuse” subplot which ultimately just distracts us from the real drama of Edna Mae’s miraculous story.

Redeeming Qualities:

  • Burstyn’s quietly powerful performance as a woman who simply wants to do good in the world
  • Edna Mae healing her own legs and learning to walk again

Must See?
No. While based on an intriguing premise, this movie ultimately doesn’t quite deliver.

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One thought on “Resurrection (1980)

  1. First viewing. Not a must.

    Verrry rambling character study; occasional nonsense, occasionally boring, and a rather forgotten film. It’s not hard to understand why.

    Interesting assembly of good supporting character actors…surprisingly wasted.

    The film’s final moment is admittedly touching…but it doesn’t save the film.

    I wonder if Burstyn did this film as ‘penance’ for ‘The Exorcist’. 😉

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