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Poster for A Soldier's Daughter Never Cries

A Soldier's Daughter Never Cries

Seen it?

1998 | 127 min | Drama

Sunday Safe Betearly rating

Why it’s a Sunday Safe Bet

It earned strong reviews (77% on Rotten Tomatoes), though it had almost no lasting buzz and soft box office. 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.
The mood
Thoughtful and character-driven.
The pace
Takes its time with its characters, at 2 hr 7 min.
What might put you off
Rated R: meant for adults.

This fictionalized story, based on the family life of writer James Jones, is an emotional slice-of-life story. Jones is portrayed here as Bill Willis, a former war hero turned author who combats alcoholism and is starting to experience health problems. Living in France with his wife, daughter, and an adopted son, the family travels an unconventional road which casts them as outsiders to others. Preaching a sexual freedom, his daughter's sexual discovery begins at an early age and betrays her when the family moves to Hanover in America. Her overt sexuality clashes with the values of her teenage American peers and gives her a problematic reputation. Meanwhile, her brooding brother copes with his own interior pain regarding his past, only comfortable communicating within the domestic space.

How it earned its rating

  • CriticsStrong

    77% on Rotten Tomatoes, 66 on Metacritic

  • AudiencesNot counted

    Not measured yet: not enough ratings

  • AwardsNot counted

    No major awards or nominations

  • Box office & staying powerBelow par

    $2 million worldwide; still draws a steady audience long after release

  • Buzz & cultural impactWeak

    About 17K people sought it out in the past year

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Cast & crew

Directed by James Ivory

  • Kris KristoffersonBill Willis
  • Leelee SobieskiCharlotte Anne 'Channe' Willis, Age 14
  • Jane BirkinMrs. Fortescue
  • Barbara HersheyMarcella Willis
  • Dominique BlancCandida
  • Virginie LedoyenBilly's Mother
  • Jesse BradfordBilly Willis, Age 14
  • Isaach de BankoléMamadou
  • Anne-Cécile CrapieMademoiselle Picot
  • Anthony DecadiSchoolyard Tease