Watch Men Don't Leave

Men Don't Leave is a heartfelt drama released in the year 1990, which speaks of the traumatic effects of death and grief upon a family. The movie illustrates how an unexpected tragedy within the family leads to a series of internal conflicts and harsh realities, forcing everyone to adapt and rebuild their lives. The story revolves around two siblings, Jody and Chris, who live with their parents in a quaint little house in Baltimore. However, life changes dramatically when their father dies in a car accident, leaving Jody's mother, Beth, to manage the household and raise her children alone. Beth's life takes an even more drastic turn when Chris, her younger son, runs away.

Subsequently, Beth suffers a mental breakdown and is taken to a hospital, leaving Jody alone to face the challenges of life as she enters her teenage years. Inevitably, Jody struggles to deal with her mother's condition and the responsibility of raising herself before she even completes her high school education.

As Jody tries to keep her mother's home intact, she also struggles to fit into her daily life, trying to find a balance between school, a part-time job, and caring for her little brother. Beth, slowly regains her senses and returns home, and Jody is happy to have her back. However, Beth is unable to deal with the loss of her husband and with raising her children alone, leading to fights and quarrels between mother and daughter.

Jody eventually becomes bored of the monotony of her regular routine, and with permission from her mother, she lands a job in a local bar run by a friendly older man. There, she meets a young man, who is sweet and thoughtful, and the two instantly connect. Despite her mother's initial reluctance towards her daughter working at a bar, she gradually becomes proud of her as she takes a real liking to her co-worker's son.

Beth, now more erratic than ever, tries to go back to work, and her problems only intensify as she becomes much more invested in her job than in her children. Jody tries her best to keep everything under control, but nothing seems to be going her way. The film explores the various facets of grief, pain, and heartbreak as each character lives through their own unique journey of loss.

Jessica Lange plays the role of the mother, Beth, brilliantly, portraying a woman who has lost everything in her life, including her husband, her job, and even her sanity. As she tries to rebuild her life, she finds it incredibly challenging due to her deep-seated grief.

Kathy Bates plays the role of Lisa Coleman, the principal of Jody's high school, who helps her cope with the challenges of life and offers a kind ear for Jody to confide in. Her compassion towards Jody's situation enables her to see the difficulties Jody faces and helps her overcome them.

Arliss Howard plays the role of the bartender, who gives Jody a job and becomes a mentor figure in her life. He is also the father of the young man she meets at the bar, whom she becomes romantically involved with.

Men Don't Leave offers a raw and poignant portrayal of how loss and grief can tear families apart while highlighting hope and resilience in the face of adversity. The film's emotional depth, combined with its excellent performances, make it a must-see for anyone who appreciates heartfelt drama that tackles challenging themes with honesty and sensitivity.

Men Don't Leave is a 1989 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 55 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.6.