Janet Maslin of The New York Times wrote that 'Meryl Streep, as ever, is uncanny. But there is not much visible 'acting' in this movie the actors are too good for that.' Ebert gave the film three stars out of four.

Roger Ebert wrote, 'Nicholson and Streep play drunks in Ironweed, and actors are said to like to play drunks, because it gives them an excuse for overacting. At the time of its release, it garnered enthusiasm because of the presence of stars Jack Nicholson and Meryl Streep. On Rotten Tomatoes, the film has an approval rating of 58% based on reviews from 24 critics. During the course of the day, a series of events unfolds and changes Francis' life forever. Meanwhile, a group of local vigilantes takes it upon themselves to drive the homeless out of Albany by violent means. Eventually, Francis comes back to his old family house and tries to make peace with his wife Annie Phelan (Carroll Baker), his son Billy ( Michael O'Keefe), and his daughter Peg ( Diane Venora). Over the next few days, Phelan takes a few minor jobs to support Helen, while haunted by visions of his past. The two meet up in a mission managed by Reverend Chester ( James Gammon), and later in Oscar Reo's (Gwynne) gin mill. Wandering into his hometown of Albany on Halloween in 1938, Phelan seeks out his lover and drinking companion, Helen Archer (Meryl Streep). Since then, he has been a bum, roaming the streets and punishing himself by remembering men whom he knew who died while he was younger in different circumstances. He is implied to have been drunk at the time, but Francis claims he was just tired and does not understand why no one will believe in his story. Francis is a washed-up and retired baseball player who deserted his family back in the 1910s, when he accidentally dropped his infant son to the ground, causing the child's death. Despite mixed reviews and being a box-office bomb, Ironweed received two nominations at the 60th Academy Awards, Best Actor (for Nicholson), and Best Actress (for Streep).ĭuring the 1930s depression, Francis Phelan (Nicholson) wanders the city. Joseph's Church, and the Miss Albany Diner on North Broadway. Major portions of the film were shot on location in Albany, New York, including Jay Street at Lark Street, Albany Rural Cemetery, St. The story concerns the relationship of a homeless couple: Francis, an alcoholic, and Helen, a terminally ill woman during the years following the Great Depression. It stars Jack Nicholson and Meryl Streep, with Carroll Baker, Michael O'Keefe, Diane Venora, Fred Gwynne, Nathan Lane and Tom Waits in supporting roles. It is based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel of the same name by William Kennedy, who also wrote the screenplay. Ironweed is a 1987 American drama film directed by Héctor Babenco. Victorian house, known as the Dillenbeck House, in Slingerlands NY (outside Albany) used in the film Ironweed.

Ironweed book