Watch A Dangerous Woman

A Dangerous Woman is a drama film from 1993 starring Debra Winger, Barbara Hershey, and Gabriel Byrne. The movie is directed by Stephen Gyllenhaal and is based on the novel of the same name by Mary McGarry Morris. It follows the story of Martha Horgan (Debra Winger), a lonely and isolated woman who has been labeled as mentally challenged by her family and community. Martha lives with her elderly aunt (Barbara Hershey) and works at a local dry cleaner's shop.

Throughout the movie, we see Martha struggle to find her place in the world. Her family treats her with little respect or kindness, and her coworkers are cruel and dismissive. Despite this, Martha is determined to make the most of her life. She dreams of finding love and starting a family of her own, but her attempts at romance always seem to end in disappointment.

When Martha's aunt dies, she is forced to leave the only home she has ever known and move in with her estranged mother (played by Lois Smith). Her mother is a stern and unaffectionate woman who is embarrassed by her daughter's behavior. Martha tries to fit in with her new community, but her attempts to make friends are met with suspicion and distrust.

The only person who shows any kindness to Martha is Mackey (Gabriel Byrne), a local handyman who offers her a job on his farm. Mackey is kind and patient with Martha, and she finds herself drawn to him. However, their relationship is complicated by Mackey's past and the disapproval of Martha's mother.

As Martha tries to navigate the difficult path ahead of her, she is confronted with memories of her troubled childhood. She begins to realize that she has been mistreated and neglected by her family, and this knowledge drives her to seek independence and self-acceptance.

The performances in A Dangerous Woman are outstanding. Debra Winger is exceptional in the lead role as Martha. She portrays the character with a delicate balance of vulnerability and strength that makes her very relatable. Gabriel Byrne is also excellent as Mackey, and his scenes with Winger are tender and emotional.

Barbara Hershey is a standout as Martha's aunt, who is the only person in her family who seems to care about her. Hershey's performance is warm and loving, and she provides a poignant contrast to the coldness of Martha's mother.

The movie is beautifully shot, and the settings are evocative of the rural Midwest. The soundtrack is also noteworthy, featuring original songs by John Mellencamp.

Overall, A Dangerous Woman is an emotionally powerful movie that deals with themes of loneliness, isolation, and the search for identity. It is a character-driven story that is both poignant and heartwarming. The film is a showcase for the talents of Debra Winger and is a must-see for fans of character-driven dramas.

A Dangerous Woman is a 1993 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 42 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.7.