
The Cement Garden
Seen it?1993 | 101 min | Drama
Why it’s a Sunday Safe Bet
It earned strong reviews (83% on Rotten Tomatoes), though it had a box office flop. A safe bet when you want something reliable.
Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.Is it for you?
- Who'll love it
- Made for anyone who loves a strong drama. Critics rate it higher than audiences do, so it rewards patience more than it chases thrills.
- The mood
- Thoughtful and character-driven.
- The pace
- Takes its time with its characters, at 1 hr 41 min.
- What might put you off
- Audiences were cooler on it than critics.
After the death of her husband, the mother of Julie, Jack, Sue and Tom begins to suffer from a mysterious illness. Aware that she is going to have to go into hospital she opens a bank account for the children, so that they can be financially self-sufficient and will be able to avoid being taken into care by the authorities. Unfortunately she also dies and Julie and Jack (the older, teenage children) decide to hide her body in the basement so that they can have free reign of their household. Soon Tom has taken to dressing as a girl whilst Sue has become increasingly reticent, confiding only to her diary, meanwhile Jack and Julie sense an attraction developing for each other. However Julie's new beau, Derek, threatens to unearth the many dark secrets within this family as he becomes increasingly suspicious of Jack.
How it earned its rating
- CriticsStrong
83% on Rotten Tomatoes
- AudiencesSolid
6.8 out of 10
- AwardsNot counted
No major awards or nominations
- Box office & staying powerWeak
$323K worldwide
- Buzz & cultural impactSolid
About 71K people sought it out in the past year
Trailer
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Cast & crew
Directed by Andrew Birkin
- Andrew RobertsonJack
- Charlotte GainsbourgJulie
- Alice CoulthardSue
- Ned BirkinTom
- Sinéad CusackMother
- Hanns ZischlerFather
- Jochen HorstDerek, Julie's Friend
- Gareth BrownWilliam
- William HootkinsCommander Hunt (voice)
- Dick FlockhartTruck Driver