Radiant City (1996 TV Movie) User Reviews

Quite realistic

[arturus · 3/10 · 11 January 2006]

This is exactly the way I remember life in public housing in Brooklyn in the 50s. ALL of the fathers I knew worked, including mine; it was frowned upon for women to work, though several I knew did, in retail, just as in this movie. The language, the accents, the interactions...all startlingly true to my memories of this time and place. Public housing was NEVER meant to be permanent, but was designed to be transitional, with rents low enough so people could save enough to buy their own homes, as so many did, just about the time this story takes place, and just as they do in the movie.

The acting is good, and the writing too. The Toronto locations, however, are just a bit off, not QUITE looking like New York.

Could this film get any more boring?

[rooboy84 · 1/10 · 17 March 2002]

I watched this movie because nothin else was on and I must say it was as boring as hell. To be honest it didn't make any sense what-so-ever. All there were was talking, talking and more talking. I think i'd rather watch sesame street than this piece of garbage.

0%

This movie was done beautifully. It had me captured.

[CoolRiz31 · 10/10 · 27 July 1999]

This was a beautiful movie. Kirstie Alley was brilliant, as usual. The characters were very much in depth, but clearly defined. It was a touching story about family and life in the "projects." I now have an even bigger respect for Ms. Alley after seeing her performance in "Radiant City", which was extremely strong and had a lot of heart. The story stayed very true to itself. The costumes, hair, and make-up were exquisite, as was the set and dialogue. I give my utmost regards to the writers, producers, director, and actors of this film.

A comedic slice of nostalgia...

[gingasnaps · 8/10 · 27 February 2007]

Kirstie Alley and Clancy Brown radiate the best chemistry as bored housewife Gloria and her over-worked, underpaid mailman husband Al Goodman. It's 1957 Brooklyn, in a fictitious housing project known as Radiant City. The summer heat has everyone sweltering, gossiping, and hanging out and about in the projects. Gloria, however, feels desperate and trapped. Her teen daughter is running around with "bad" boy Johnny, her young son Stewie is making unusual friends and getting into mischief. Al works the night-shift and it's even affecting their love life.

When a handsome beatnik blows into town (Gil Bellows) it turns the project on its ear. He sets his sights on Gloria. All she wants is a way out of the doldrums and she devises a plan to make her dreams come true. When her secret's exposed thanks to Stewie's loose lips, the entire project knows and it won't fare well for the housing Authority or Al.

Gloria stands up for herself in many ways. She shows beatnik Bert what a real man is, "He gets up, no matter how tired he is, and goes to work for her!" In a romantic kiss reminiscent of fifties movies she gains back the waning love and respect from Al and all is resolved happily as the family ascends to their dream of suburbia.

Great movie

[alotoldo · 10/10 · 18 November 2006]

The movie shows the common life of people who wants to change their life and move around. It's a great movie, touching, and I recommend. Tells the story of a family who lives in a condo, whose name is Radiant City. The mother, Kirstie Alley, tired of being just the mother, and live the boring life with the gossip and little things, and goes to find a job. Then she learns how life can be exciting and funny. But she doesn't tell her husband about this new job, and they got problems to continuous on the condo. The movie is plenty of music, and the boys and girls who we used to see in a production that shows the 60s. The word of the kids deserves the attention.