Square Dance (1987)

Set in rural Texas, a 13 year old girl (Winona Ryder) is raised by her grandfather (Jason Robards) after being abandoned by her mother (Jane Alexander). After a dispute with her grandfather, she runs off to Fort Worth to live with her mother and her live in boyfriend (Guich Koock) though he might be her husband, the film doesn't make it clear. Based on the novel by Alan Hines (who adapted his book for the screen) and directed by Daniel Petrie (A RAISIN IN THE SUN). A well intentioned coming of age drama with some good acting by Ryder and Alexander whose mother/daughter relationship is the linchpin of the movie. The story itself isn't particularly compelling but both Ryder and Alexander (in an atypical role) bring much needed nuance and shading to their one dimensional characters. With Rob Lowe, who received praise for his performance as a mentally challenged youth though I found his performance unexceptional and also Deborah Richter and Irma P. Hall.