Ironweed

THE GIST: Francis and Helen are two tramps among the many that populate the city of Albany, New York, in the late 1930s. He pines for his dead infant son and is anguished by the ghosts of his past. She reminisces about a singing career that never materialized. In the dreariness of their daily lives, they share a connection.

Ironweed opens a window for us on the lives of the people we might pass by on a sidewalk during our busy lives without even seeing them, or trying hard not to.

It shines a light on how people with very ordinary or even comfortable lives can suddenly find themselves homeless and with no prospects.

It's an interesting exposé aided by excellent turns by Meryl Streep and Jack Nicholson, two of the most lauded actors of their generation.

THE BOTTOM LINE: The movie is certainly worth watching, but it's a bit slow at times, which is sort of required given the topic. If you like either of the actors, I'd give it a try.

Grade: 6