Watch Redwood Curtain

Redwood Curtain is a 1995 American drama film directed by John Korty and based on a play by Lanford Wilson. The movie tells the story of a young woman named Geri who travels to California to find out more about her biological parents. Despite her reluctance to meet them, Geri becomes involved in their lives and the shadowy secrets that they have been keeping from her.

Geri has been adopted and raised by a supportive and loving family in Ohio. However, she is curious about her biological parents and wants to find out more about her roots. Her search leads her to California, where she meets Dale (Jeff Daniels), a man who is a Vietnam veteran and is seemingly living a solitary life in a cabin nestled in the redwood forests.

While wandering in the redwoods, Geri becomes lost and stumbles upon Dale's cabin. There, she meets him and they form an unlikely bond. Dale is initially reluctant to get to know Geri, but he eventually decides to help her find her biological parents. They head out together to Arcata, a small town where the search leads them.

In Arcata, Geri learns that her biological father is a wealthy businessman named Lyman Fellers (John Lithgow), who is married to a Filipino woman named Geneva (Lea Salonga). Geri also discovers that she has a half-sister named Sonya (Debra Monk), who is mentally challenged and lives with her father and stepmother.

Geri's arrival creates tension in the Fellers' family, and Lyman and Geneva begin to reveal the secrets they have been keeping from her. The revelation of these secrets has a profound impact on Geri, especially when she discovers the truth about her own birth.

The film is a powerful exploration of the complex issues surrounding adoption, family relationships, and the impact of the Vietnam War on those who fought in it. Jeff Daniels delivers an outstanding performance as Dale, a man haunted by his past and struggling to come to terms with his present. Lea Salonga also delivers a standout performance as Geneva, a woman struggling to find her place in a world where she feels like an outsider.

The film's cinematography is also notable, capturing the beauty and majesty of the redwoods, while also conveying the sense of isolation and loneliness that pervades the characters' lives. The film's soundtrack, which includes original music by Bruce Broughton, further enhances the emotional impact of the story, underscoring the characters' struggles and adding depth to their experiences.

Overall, Redwood Curtain is a thoughtful and thought-provoking film that poses important questions about family, identity, and redemption. It is a moving exploration of the human condition in all its complexity and nuance, and a testament to the power of connection and the resilience of the human spirit.

Redwood Curtain is a 1995 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 39 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.7.