Watch The Spitfire Grill

The Spitfire Grill is a 1996 drama film starring Alison Elliott, Ellen Burstyn, and Marcia Gay Harden. Directed by Lee David Zlotoff, the movie tells the story of a young woman named Percy Talbott (Alison Elliott), who has been released from prison and starts a new life in a small town in Maine. The story begins with Percy arriving in the town of Gilead, which is a struggling community that has been hit hard by the economic downturn. Percy is taken in by Hannah Ferguson (Ellen Burstyn), a gruff and taciturn old lady who runs a small diner called The Spitfire Grill. Percy persuades Hannah to let her work at the diner, and she quickly becomes part of the small community.

The plot of the movie unfolds as Percy settles into life in Gilead. She befriends some of the locals, who are initially wary of her, and learns about the town's history and the struggles that the residents are facing. She also makes some unsettling discoveries about the town's past and the secrets that people are keeping.

One of the people that Percy befriends is Shelby Goddard (Marcia Gay Harden), a wealthy woman who lives on the outskirts of town. Shelby is married to the town's sheriff, Joe (played by Will Patton), and is dealing with her own personal demons. Percy and Shelby share a bond, and they both confide in each other about their pasts and their hopes for the future.

As the story progresses, Percy comes up with a plan to help turn the town's fortunes around. She suggests holding a raffle for the Spitfire Grill, with the winner getting to run the diner for a year. The idea is met with a great deal of skepticism, but Percy perseveres and eventually persuades the townspeople to get behind her.

The final act of the movie sees the raffle take place and the winner announced, as tensions rise and secrets are revealed. The Spitfire Grill is a movie about redemption, forgiveness, and the power of community, and it has been praised for its memorable performances and moving storyline.

Alison Elliott delivers a standout performance as Percy, portraying the character's vulnerability and strength with equal conviction. Ellen Burstyn is equally impressive as Hannah, bringing a depth to the character that belies her gruff exterior. Marcia Gay Harden also shines as Shelby, imbuing the character with a complexity that makes her both sympathetic and flawed.

Overall, The Spitfire Grill is a heartwarming and thought-provoking movie that explores themes of hope and resilience in the face of adversity. It is a moving tribute to the power of small-town communities and the human spirit, and it has earned its place as a beloved classic of the 1990s.

The Spitfire Grill is a 1996 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 57 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.0.