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Mrs. Soffel

Name: Mrs. Soffel
Genre: Drama, Romance
Released: 1984-12-26
Cast: Diane Keaton, Mel Gibson, Matthew Modine, Edward Herrmann, Trini Alvarado

1984 | 112 min | Drama, Romance

Weeknight Watchearly rating

Why it’s a Weeknight Watch

With middling reviews (46% on Rotten Tomatoes) and a box office loss, it's a mixed bag. Fine if it's on; don't plan your night around it.

Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.

Is it for you?

Who'll love it: Made for romantics. If you loved Cool Hand Luke or Escape from Alcatraz, start here.
The mood: Warm and romantic.
The pace: Takes its time with its characters, at 1 hr 52 min.
What might put you off: Rated PG-13: peril. Probably too much for younger kids.

Kate Soffel is married to a prison warden in Pittsburgh, and is the mother of their four children. Ed Biddle is a convicted murderer awaiting execution on death row with his brother Jack. When Kate meets Eddie through her Bible readings to the prisoners, she is drawn to him, and they pursue a clandestine relationship. She agrees to help the brothers escape, and begins a treacherous journey with them to freedom in Canada.

How it earned its rating

CriticsBelow par
46% on Rotten Tomatoes
AudiencesNot counted
Not measured yet: not enough ratings
AwardsNot counted
No major awards or nominations
Box office & staying powerBelow par
$4 million worldwide on a $11 million budget; still draws a steady audience long after release
Buzz & cultural impactSolid
About 44K people sought it out in the past year

Trailer

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Cast & crew

Directed by Gillian Armstrong

Diane KeatonKate Soffel
Mel GibsonEd Biddle
Matthew ModineJack Biddle
Edward HerrmannWarden Peter Soffel
Trini AlvaradoIrene Soffel
Jennifer DundasMargaret Soffel
Danny CorkillEddie Soffel
Harley CrossClarence Soffel
Terry O'QuinnDetective Buck McGovern
Pippa PearthreeMaggie