Cross Creek (1983)

In 1928, a frustrated journalist (Mary Steenburgen) buys an orange grove in the Florida  bayou and moves there in the hopes that the new setting will allow her creativity to bloom and write a novel that can get published. Based on the memoir by Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings (THE YEARLING) and directed by Martin Ritt (HUD). As with most movie biographies, artistic license is taken and some of the situations in the film didn't actually happen. But it feels authentic (it helps that it was filmed near the area where the story actually took place) and there's an emotional and truthful core to it. Ritt and the screenwriter Dalene Young don't condescend to the film's rustic provincials. Steenburgen is wonderful but she receives first rate support from Rip Torn and Alfre Woodard (both Oscar nominated for their performances) who transcend their stereotypes. A lovely film. With Malcom McDowell, Peter Coyote, Dana Hill (SHOOT THE MOON), Joanna Miles and Jay O. Sanders.