The Spitfire Grill (1996) User Reviews

Small town USA

[caspian1978 · 7/10 · 26 February 2005]

Spitfire Grill does a wonderful job capturing the small town New England landscape. The setting for the movie is important as its characters. Both begin to blend from the start of the story. Alison Elliott is by far terrific. At times, Alison Elliott resembles a young Jodie Foster as she plays this innocent, yet troubled youngster as she tries to start fresh with a new life in a new town. At times, the story takes on a biblical tale of forgiveness and loving thy neighbor. A perfect movie about respect and acceptance, The Spitfire Grill takes on a life of its own as the story builds and builds with more secrets. A nice ending that brings everything together and answers all the questions. Alison Elliott is great.

Fried red potatoes

[jotix100 · 8/10 · 10 June 2004]

For a film that won the audience award at Sundance, this film must have played briefly in this area, as I have no memory of it when it was released. I saw it on cable recently; it was a surprise, but in retrospect, there are a few things that bothered me later.

It appears this is the first film for the director. Lee David Zlotoff is a product of television, as far as I've learned. Not having seen anything he has created before, I can only compare this film to similar fare one sees in the "movie-of-the-week" film made for that medium.

I have no way of knowing if the accents these actors speak are really from Maine, or from the South, as I have never met any one from that state where the action takes place. That said, the film will not disappoint because it tells a good story. It's easy to like, although it is predictable.

Young Percy Talbot can't shake her past. Instead of fleeing to a big city and getting lost there, she selects the small town of Gilead in rural Maine. Her choice of locales will proves Percy wrong. In the town, she manages to touch the lives of a lot of the local folk, who in return, show her kindness, after an initial rejection.

Allison Elliott was effective as the young woman. Ellen Burstyn, as Hannah, is quite good. Marcia Gay Harden underplays Shelby, the woman who gains Percy's trust. Will Patton is the only one that has nothing to do in the film.

Mixed Emotions

[hannahroseimagery · 7/10 · 14 March 2022]

I watched this movie when I was 12, and it seriously screwed with my brain. I couldn't stop crying. Is it melodramatic? Yes. Is there anything happy or positive about it? Not really.

I know that people either love or hate this movie, but for me it's more multilayered than that. This movie taught me something about not making harsh judgments about people, and the desperate need people have for kindness. These lessons have been invaluable in my life.

The vibe almost borrows from To Kill a Mockingbird. You wish the poor girl in this movie could just find some peace, but she can't. So many broken people in this world can't find peace, and that's the point. To stop and ask yourself why...

Once again Hollywood's reviews mean nothing

[slp00 · 9/10 · 10 April 2006]

This movie got pretty bad reviews from the Hollywood Hype-mongers. I suppose because it didn't have a lot of flash. All it had was a well-written original story and superb acting with real characters. Anyone who has ever spent time in a small town can identify with nearly all the characters. I could practically name them all in the town I grew up in. I'm sure the only people who would NOT enjoy this movie are the ones who grew up in Hollywood and believe everyone is like them. If thats not you, rent this movie for a truly enjoyable evening. But you might want to bring tissues. It's a very warm and often funny movie, but it's also very sad in some places. Will Patton is incredible and I honestly don't understand why Alison Elliott hasn't been used more than she has since this movie. Ellen Burstyn was glorious as ever :)

My favorite film; despite small melodrama toward end, a gorgeous, humbling, sensitive, carefully wrought film about pain, and about how love heals pain

[poetellect · 27 November 2005]

For most of my life I've sort of stated that the well-received, sort of hyped Best-Picture type films (Fight Club, American Beauty, Godfather, English Patient, etc. etc. etc.) have been my favorite films.

But then I saw "The Spitfire Grill". Or rather, I saw a preview for it. And I somehow knew that this film would surpass all others in its beauty and simplicity.

The story is simple, the themes universal, the cinematography drop-dead gorgeous, and the music haunting. Allison Elliot and Ellen Burstyn are prime actors of their generations. If you ever want to watch a film about the mistakes we all inevitably can make, the relationships and friendships we all eventually have to form to heal us, and the power of forgiveness and helping others, and the transcendent, trans formative power of love and connecting to nature in a way that reminds of our unity, watch "The Spitfire Grill." I don't think I've ever cried more emotionally at the end of a movie, and not a hard sobbing, but more like a life-draining, emotionally cathartic cry. Absolutely unforgettable.

Beautiful and Sensitive Movie

[claudio_carvalho · 7/10 · 6 May 2005]

Percy Talbott (Alison Elliot) is a young woman, who has just left jail, and goes to Gillead, a small town in Maine looking for a new beginning of her life. She gets a job in a diner place called Spitfire Grill, owned by Hannah Ferguson Ellen Burstyn). Hannah lost her beloved son Elli in Vietnam, and is a very aggressive woman. Her nephew Nahum Goddard (Will Patton) is the local real-estate broker and has been trying to sell the place for ten years. He mistreat his wife Shelby Goddard (Marcia Gay Harden), questioning her intelligence most of the time. When Percy arrives in town, she changes the behavior not only of Hannah and Shelby, but of the local citizen, and deep secrets are disclosed. I bought the VHS "Spitgrill Fire" in 1998 and only today I have watched it. It is a sensitive story, filmed in beautiful locations in Maine and very supported by the performance by the outstanding central trio of actresses. The story is delightful most of the time and although having a good message in the end, I did not like the fate of Percy. I know life may be unfair, there are many envious and prejudicial people, but the story is fiction so I believe the writer used a very "heavy hand" to conclude the destiny of Percy. I would prefer a most commercial end for her character. My vote is seven.

Title (Brazil): "Spitfire Grill – O Recomeço" ("Spittfire Grill – The New Beginning")

Brilliant! Wonderful script, acting, music and message.

[nz man · 10/10 · 18 March 2000]

One of the reviews below states "I notice most of the negative reviews have been posted by men who obviously have no sensitivity." Well, as a 51 yr old man, I can tell you that I really loved this film and it did touch my heart and spirit. One of the best films that I have seen!

The three lead actresses were superb, especially Alison Elliott as Percy. It was all so 'real', and portrays small town life in an authentic, respectful manner. Everything was refreshing, including the deeper messages about life's struggles regarding relationships and inner psychological problems.

"Why aren't more films this good?" Indeed !!

For me, this film is better than "Fried Green Tomatoes" since it is not so blatantly anti-male (think about this!).

Two leads can't prevent slip into melodrama

[SKG-2 · 7/10 · 22 September 1999]

When this won the audience award at the Sundance Film Festival in 1996, a lot of critics sharpened their knives, because the film was produced with money from a religious group, and they thought it was pushing religion on the masses. The truth is, only a couple of scenes take place at a church, and there's nothing particularly "religious" about the storyline. Having got that out of the way, this is another instance where good performances and a promising story are sunk by melodrama. The two good performances are Alison Elliot as Percy, the ex-convict, and the underrated Marcia Gay Harden as Shelby, the housewife who becomes her best friend. The movie is best in the scenes between the two of them(like when they're cooking breakfast together at the grill for the first time), and I also liked the way first time director Lee David Zlotoff uses the outdoors. But he's got a lot to learn about writing, as the movie gradually becomes melodramatic, with so much plot thrown in you're suffocating in it. Also, Will Patton, who I like, is stuck playing such a one-note character he might as well have "Warning: Plot Device" written on him, and Ellen Burstyn does her crotchety old woman again. All in all, a missed opportunity.

Beautifully done in a beautiful part of our world.

[joeestlinbm · 10/10 · 5 February 2005]

Everyone has their opinion, and mine on this particular film, is that it's one of the best to have ever graced the screen of my TV.

I'm from typical small town America, and to quite a degree,Gilead depicts this sort of life. Clannish, and less than trusting, when it comes to new folks, but what impressed me as much as anything was the unbelievable authenticity of Alison Elliotts southern accent. I had to look her up on the net to see if she was from the south, or not. She's not, but I am, and being familiar with my own accent, I can tell you she did it perfectly.

I've watched it about six, or seven times, and will likely watch it that many more before Let it rest for a while.

If you like beautiful scenery, small town life, and folks who are just a little short of being odd, you'll love this movie.

Overlooked and Little Known Movie

[bonniebonniebanks · 7/10 · 27 January 2018]

I don't think there's a person I mention this to - even to this day who says they've heard of it or saw it back in I show it to them.

One of the things I do wonder is - how many small businesses for sale are inspired to do the raffle thing - because I think it's a great idea.

I love the characters' depth. This is not a sequel or franchise that has dozens of offshoots that have time to develop and enhance the characters, it's a one night stand and they make sure you get to know what they about...or at least what they appear to be until closer to the end.

The setting is lovely. I've never been to New England but everyone who has been there and those who grew up in small down New England vouches that this is about 'their town'.

I love Percy's "fish out of water" beginning and then expertise after she gets into the swing of it, as well as the wisdom she brings to small minds.

I promise when people watch it that they won't be disappointed.

A bittersweet look at small-town life and the vagaries of doing good

[has43 · 5/10 · 11 October 2010]

I rated this movie 5/10 only because I truly hate the ending. Is the author saying Percy HAD to die to redeem everyone else? If so, that really stinks. God knows what her life was life before she took her tormentor out. AND after. Reminds me of "A Tree Grows In Brooklyn." The mother killed the man who raped her daughter, but after awhile all that anyone seems to remember is that she was convicted of murder. And then there's "Mystic River," wherein Tim Robbins' character was molested as a young boy by two priests, barely escapes with his life, such things were not discussed at that time, he lived with his pain, and then is taken out, and his murderer justifies the unfortunate wrongful murder, but we're left hanging as to any justice occurring, whatsoever.

Also, I cannot abide Will Patton, in anything I've seen him in.

Otherwise, I think the movie was pretty extraordinary, and I wish I'd walked out of the theater before the ending. If the author ever reads these reviews, I do wish he would explain the ending.

Thank you for listening.

The Spitfire Grill

[ladyhawk-18 · 10/10 · 16 February 2005]

This is an excellent "chic flick". Have the Kleenex box close by, it's a real tear jerker. The movie takes place in a small New England town. It's social comment is: "Don't judge a book by it's cover." Poor Percy was jailed for the crime of killing her tormentor. She did her time and paid for her crime but not everybody felt that way. Nahum, in particular, had a rough lesson to learn about judgement. What Percy doesn't know is that she is going to be the catalyst to ignite growth again in the little town of Gilead. She helps every "townie" in one way or another with her simple, uneducated truths and her honest and open view of the world. She's a breath of fresh air this town needed if it was going to grow and mature. Take a look at this movie. You will find it gets under your skin and you are rooting for Percy to make this her home, this little town named Gilead.

The Spitfire Grill deserves more attention.

[cadenpolen · 7/10 · 4 December 2023]

Until recently, this film was unfamiliar to me. Uncertain about my expectations after watching the trailer, I resorted to reading the plot. Encouraged by what I discovered, I decided to give it a chance, and I'm genuinely pleased that I did!

While parts of this movie may seem dull and occasionally tedious, the overall viewing experience is mostly breathtaking. The film showcases stunning scenery that significantly contributes to its allure. This movie keeps you guessing as it pulls you in, and it introduces a subplot or two along the way.

The Spitfire Grill deserves more recognition than it has garnered; it falls just shy of reaching masterpiece status. In fact, with a bit more substance, it would undoubtedly be considered a hidden gem.

The Cast Was Assembled....

[mcjensen-05924 · 2/10 · 4 September 2021]

......So Why Did It Stink So Much? Well for one thing, the accents were horrendous. My gosh man did anybody do any research into the dialect of the region they were filming in? I laughed as the accents got as thick as stew then disappeared altother only to emerge the next sentnece. It's a testament to incompetence. MGH showed the least talent accent wise, with Ellen B. A close 2nd. Alison E., in the lead role, actually did all right with it and I didn't notice anybody else butchering it too badly. But the main problem, other than the overdramatic mucic, was the clinging dripping sappy sentimentality. It was just too much to bear at times. I don't rehash plots in my reviews here because people generally have an idea what it's about and I don't plaster mine on several different sites. There were parts I liked. I enjoyed the friendship develop between MGH and Percy (Alison E.) at the start, and the guy who played the young man interested in Percy was authentic. Him and the sheriff were the two best characters in the movie. Ellen B. Was just too erratic to be likeable, and Will P. Was as awful as he is in every role he's ever been cast in. The way the story unfolds though is just not too credible, and the cliched nonsense of any made for TV movie creeps up to intolerable levels. Too many things just didn't make sense, and while it's possible to overlook a few plot holes or absurd scenes, when they start to pile up the fun is gone. People just behaved in irrational ways too many times, and the ending climax and conclusion was over the top corny and not in the least bit surprising. The town and countryside were portrayed nicely, and interior of the inn was appealing. But the townfolk just came across and closed minded busybodies, and why they'd want to visit an inn owned and operated by crotchety old Ellen B. Is mystifying. And I didn't see the need for Percy to wade that far out into the river just to warn hermit man when he could hear her fine from where she was. Stupidity or suicide? Who cares? Watch it once if you can get through it. The way Will patronizes and insults his wife will make you want to drown him instead. Not particularly thought provoking or enjoyable, but Alison E. Is pretty enough to carry lead actress duties. I've seen it a few times through the years but won't subject myself to it again. This dvd will get donated to the library.

Unique... words would never be enough

[finnerss · 10/10 · 14 May 2000]

Nowadays it's extremely hard to come across a movie that involves so much in the simple premise. The plot itself is riveting. A flawless plotline where the nail's hit in the head at every point. The direction alone is soulsearching. Alison Elliot delivers one of the strongest performances I've seen in years, as well as the rest of the cast. And I know I can "say that twice and mean it". This movie is a must for everyone who enjoys art at the top of its form. I won't let my words spoil the film if the reader has not seen it yet, just lay back, and enjoy one of the best pictures I've seen and felt, I know too many words like this can cause people to look for a flaw wherever they may find one, but I can only say that this work is deep enough to bear wrongful comments and survive and still be such a warm story. Two thumbs up.

A really good movie.

[TxMike · 16 September 2005]

As the first scene unfolds we see women apparently working in a travel office, giving information to those who call. But as the camera pulls back, and we see bars, we realize it is a prison, and the inmates are unusual employees of the state of Maine.

Set in Gilead, Maine, Percy Talbot (Alison Elliot) is being released from 5 years behind bars and travels here to pick up her life, and in the process helps heal a small town. Originally from Ohio, nothing has gone good for her yet. Now, in town, the local sheriff forgot that he was supposed to see about her. But nice older owner of the Spitfire Grill, Hannah (Ellen Burstyn), takes Percy in and puts her to work. In this very small town everyone is curious about Percy, but none as much as Hannah's nephew, Nahum (Will Patton), who has taken it upon himself to watch out for Hannah. He simply does not trust Percy, even though she is a model employee. Marcia Gay Harden is good as Nahum's simpleton wife, Shelby.

Hannah unwisely uses a chair at home above the grill to get something high and falls, breaking her leg. Percy and Shelby share duties to keep the grill running somewhat smoothly. But Hannah decides she needs to get rid of the business and Nahum has not been successful selling it for her. Percy had once heard about someone holding a contest, told Shelby about it, who suggested it to Hannah, and off they were, to the consternation of Nahum. The inmate friends of Shelby got the notice in newspapers all over the USA, and entries rolled in, with $100 bills included for the entry fee.

The contest was successful beyond their dreams, pulling in so many entries that all the townspeople had to pitch in, reading essays and helping pick the winner. But Nahum became very nervous about all the money, still not trusting Percy.

MAJOR SPOILERS. To be on the safe side, Nahum sneaked into Hannah's place at night to get the money and put it in a cloth sack to carry it to a safe place. However, Percy came in at that time to gather the food items for Hannah to put out each night for the mysterious man that she came to call "Johnny Bee" (from Johnny Be Good), used the sack not knowing money was in it, and put it out at the usual place near the wood pile. The next day when it was discovered that all the money was gone Nahum could have done the right thing but played dumb instead, everyone was chasing Percy, who was looking for "Johnny Bee", spooked by all the cops and dogs. Percy was trying to cross the river to get to him when she was swept away and over some rapids and drowned. At her funeral Nahum admitted his role, and took responsibility for Percy's death.

MORE SPOILERS. "Johnny Bee" turned out to be Hannah's long lost son, who was never the same after the war. Police found the money at his campsite in the woods, he had begun to use some of it to make artistic designs. In the end he came back to be with his mother, having been shown some hope by his interactions with Percy. We learn that Percy had been sexually abused from the age of 9 by her step-dad, who impregnated her when she was 16. He also caused the death of her unborn baby, and she killed him because of the abuse, but still got 5 years' prison time.

The movie ends as we see another new face in town, a 20-something young lady with a small son, the winner of the essay contest and new owner of the Spitfire Grill, so named for the WW2 fighter plane that Hannah's husband had been fond of. We hear her essay in a voice over, her wanting to make a new start for her young son.

So what's wrong with sentimental, Roger??

[=G= · 6/10 · 24 February 2002]

"The Spitfire Grill" tells of the influence of one young woman (Elliott) on the people of a small town in Maine. A multifaceted, soapy, and unabashed chick-flick, this critically panned audience pleaser is sentimental almost to a fault. From its sepia tinged warmth to its Norman Rockwell stereotypes to it's plaintive orchestral score to its contrived storyline, etc., this flick is out to tug at your heart strings and jerk that tear from your eye. Sentimentalists should kick back, turn off brain, and enjoy. All others, find something else to watch.

Why aren't all movies this good?

[horsemom27 · 10/10 · 22 December 1999]

Can't believe that anybody could write a poor review of this film. It is absolutely one of the best pictures I have seen in a very long time. Anybody who criticizes it just doesn't get it. But then again, I notice most of the negative reviews have been posted by men who obviously have no sensitivity.

Between Mr. Zlotoff's excellent writing and James Horner's awesome score, I was just blown away by this movie. It is just a beautiful film. I just wish that this would be the type and caliber of what Hollywood would offer us as a form of entertainment.

very light touch and yet heavy melodrama

[SnoopyStyle · 6/10 · 28 November 2015]

Newly released prisoner Percy (Alison Elliott) comes to the small town of Gillead, Maine. She was imprisoned 5 years for manslaughter. Sheriff Walsh directs her to the Spitfire Grill. Elderly owner Hannah Ferguson (Ellen Burstyn) recently lost her waitress. She's given a job and a place to live. Hannah's nephew Nahum Goddard (Will Patton) is suspicious. Joe Sperling takes a liking to the newcomer. After Hannah suffers a bad fall, Percy and Nahum's kind-hearted wife Shelby (Marcia Gay Harden) start running the grill. There's a mysterious local hermit and a tree scientist. Percy organizes an essay contest with an entry fee to sell the grill with the help of her former prison mates. Hannah gets tired of the townfolks' sarcasm and gives them the essays to read.

The drama and the characters are done with a very light touch. I like the characters but it's too easy going. There is no tension until the last act. Alison Elliott is pretty and does a good job. I think Joe needs to be a bigger character played by a more charismatic actor. It gets a bit hokey. The townfolks are too monotone. It tries too hard to be fanciful or fails to be fanciful enough. It also needs to advance Percy's character more in the first half. Nahum and Shelby have a better character arc. This is an interesting story about tolerance and salvation but it's done without any tension rising to a super high soaring melodramatic ending. The tearjerker ending feels too manipulative.

A Personal Favorite

[atlasmb · 10/10 · 19 August 2020]

This film is one of my favorites.

The story is about Percy Talbott (Alison Elliott), a young incarcerated woman who is released from prison and decides to visit Gilead, a small town she has never seen, hoping to find a job. Hannah Ferguson (Ellen Burstyn) owns a restaurant where Percy seeks employment. And Shelby Goddard (Marcia Gay Harden) is a local who assists Percy in acclimating to the town.

These three actresses are the backbone of the film. Though they are blessed with a wonderful script, their performances are largely responsible for the tenderness and passion of this film.

I watch this film periodically because of its tone and its insight. It also includes mysteries and plot twists, drama and beauty. It is an emotional ride that is both heartwarming and heartbreaking.

Good But Derivative

[gavin6942 · 6/10 · 28 March 2016]

Percy (Alison Elliott), upon being released from prison, goes to the small town of Gillead, to find a place where she can start over again. She is taken in by Hannah (Ellen Burstyn), to help out at her place, the Spitfire Grill. Percy brings change to the small town, stirring resentment and fear in some, and growth in others.

Roger Ebert wrote, "Watching this plot unfold, I was remembering last week's 'Heavy,' which also premiered at Sundance; its cafe was run by an older woman (Shelley Winters), and had a veteran waitress (Deborah Harry) and a young waitress (Liv Tyler), and had a regular customer whose name was Leo, not Joe, although he was played by Joe Grifasi. Also echoing in the caverns of my memory were several other movies about stalwart women running cafes and striding above the local gossip: The Ballad of the Sad Cafe, Fried Green Tomatoes, Staying Together and of course Bagdad Cafe." Indeed, something about this film felt derivative or cheap, like it belonged on the Lifetime network and not as a film championed by the fine folks at Sundance. Some say this is a forgotten sleeper hit, and I disagree. Others say the score was overlooked, and that I will agree with. James Horner is one of the bigger names out there, and this effort is no exception.

Burstyn's worth a look, but artificiality grills what's left over...

[moonspinner55 · 2/10 · 5 April 2008]

Pure corn. A female ex-con in a small community in Maine gets waitressing job at the local diner, enlightening everyone there with her presence. Resolutely old-fashioned hokum is replete with pseudo-meaningful platitudes and female bonding (with divergent accents). Acquired at the Sundance Film Festival for what was reported to be a princely sum, Castle Rock barely distributed this after the reviews came in (they were probably hoping for another "Fried Green Tomatoes" but got rotten tomatoes instead). Trifling nonsense tries for a prestigious look, but even this fails as the moody ambiance resembles nothing more than encroaching mold. It at least gave work to Ellen Burstyn, whose professionalism and mere presence saves this from oblivion. Otherwise, a prime candidate for Lifetime's four a.m. movie. * from ****

Get your Kleenex out for this one...

[lemonapril66 · 10/10 · 21 June 2004]

Go rent or buy this video!!! I didn't recognize many of the actors, but they were Award quality. Of course, I know Ellen Bursten but the main character was soooo good and perfect for this role. I love the story of the son, "Johnny B"...very moving. The talents of this character are remarkable...the things he makes out of nature. It makes you feel like you are in this small little town, getting to know all the people. I've never lived in a small town, but this is like Hometown America. It was tragic, funny, sad, romantic, and just the place you would want to visit. I watched this movie over 6 times already and I will never get tired of it. A classic to be sure!

More palatable than Fried Green Tomatoes ...

[Brysmi · 6/10 · 6 January 1999]

A bunch of really fine actors dealing with a cliche-rich, hackneyed, often-contrived script directed without a hint of irony or humor. The last half hour especially challenged me to like this film, but overall, I enjoyed it. We've seen this before, though this time around's better than average. Again, the performances (particularly Alison Elliott's) deserve much praise, but director Zlotoff should try to put his MacGyver days further behind him.

A noble effort...

[dexter-3 · 5/10 · 16 June 1999]

Great idea, very poor execution for "The Spitfire Grill." They did the research on the area and the accents (even though it was filmed in Vermont), then dropped the ball when it came to a believable script and dialogue. I enjoyed Marcia Gay Harden's performance the most, even though she didn't have the best material to work with. Burstyn was also good. I was amused by the character of the sheriff, who in these films is either a redneck or dishonest jerk or the voice of reason.

In sum, a "5" of "10," particularly because they do a poor job of development with the lead character, who seems to make the transition to civilian life too easily.