- Actors: Susan Sarandon, James Spader, Jason Alexander, Kathy Bates, Eileen Brennan
- Directors: Luis Mandoki
- Writers: Alvin Sargent, Glenn Savan, Ted Tally
- Producers: Amy Robinson, Bill Finnegan, Griffin Dunne, Mark Rosenberg
- Format: Color, Dolby, DVD-Video, Widescreen, NTSC
- Language: English
- Region: (US and Canada This DVD will probably NOT be viewable in other countries. Read more about DVD formats.)
- Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1
- Number of discs: 1
- MPAA Rating:
- Studio: Mca (Universal)
- Release Date: Mar 1 2005
- Run Time: 103 minutes
- Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
- ASIN: B0006IIPLM
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Amazon Bestsellers Rank:
#18,195 in DVD (See Top 100 in DVD)
- #16 in DVD > Special Interests > Religion & Spirituality > Judaism
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Product Description
From Amazon.com
Glenn Savan's depressing and self-loathing novel about a 27-year-old upper-class Jewish widower mired in self-pity after his beloved wife dies, and who finds love and sexual rebirth with a trailer-trash older woman, was brought to the big screen by the competent director Luis Mandoki (When a Man Loves a Woman, Message in a Bottle). But the savage irony in Savan's book has been face-lifted by screenwriters Ted Tally (The Silence of the Lambs) and Alvin Sargent (Ordinary People) into something else entirely: what passes for low-rent "slumming" in Hollywood means hiring sexy Susan Sarandon to play Nora Baker, the poor, uneducated 43-year-old waitress in a White Palace burger joint who strikes up an unlikely relationship with sad Max Baron (James Spader). Widower Max attends a bachelor party for best pal Neil (Jason Alexander) and discovers that the local White Palace has stiffed the boys a whopping six burgers. Max barges into the joint, bent on getting his money back, and meets a testy Nora, who is bemused at the young man's insolence. While driving home, Max stops abruptly at a bar for a drink. Inside, Nora is nursing a vodka and takes a shine to the tuxedo-clad, handsome, and morose younger man. He gives her a lift, she seduces him, and the rest of the movie examines how two such opposites in manners and morals can find happiness. The only common bond they have is great sex and a private tragedy. White Palace nudges at the dark journey and the smashing of illusion that was at the heart of the novel, but there is still a fairy-tale element to the film that negates the earthy essence that distinguished the book. In Mandoki's vision, White Palace is about overcoming class, family, and outside opinion to find true love. In Savan's book, Max wastes into decline while Nora ultimately thrives in the quest for truth, redemption, and self-forgiveness. She becomes his salvation only after he stops hating himself. But mainstream Hollywood shuns making "protagonists" so mad, bad, or sad, and as such, too much glitter is tossed on Spader, while Sarandon, as usual, is the only one who seems to embody and understand her character's angst. She deserved her Oscar for Nora, not the nun in Dead Man Walking. --Paula Nechak
Amazon.com Essential Video
Glenn Savan's depressing and self-loathing novel about a 27-year-old upper-class Jewish widower mired in self-pity after his beloved wife dies, and who finds love and sexual rebirth with a trailer-trash older woman, was brought to the big screen by the competent director Luis Mandoki (When a Man Loves a Woman, Message in a Bottle). But the savage irony in Savan's book has been face-lifted by screenwriters Ted Tally (The Silence of the Lambs) and Alvin Sargent (Ordinary People) into something else entirely: what passes for low-rent "slumming" in Hollywood means hiring sexy Susan Sarandon to play Nora Baker, the poor, uneducated 43-year-old waitress in a White Palace burger joint who strikes up an unlikely relationship with sad Max Baron (James Spader). Widower Max attends a bachelor party for best pal Neil (Jason Alexander) and discovers that the local White Palace has stiffed the boys a whopping six burgers. Max barges into the joint, bent on getting his money back, and meets a testy Nora, who is bemused at the young man's insolence. While driving home, Max stops abruptly at a bar for a drink. Inside, Nora is nursing a vodka and takes a shine to the tuxedo-clad, handsome, and morose younger man. He gives her a lift, she seduces him, and the rest of the movie examines how two such opposites in manners and morals can find happiness. The only common bond they have is great sex and a private tragedy. White Palace nudges at the dark journey and the smashing of illusion that was at the heart of the novel, but there is still a fairy-tale element to the film that negates the earthy essence that distinguished the book. In Mandoki's vision, White Palace is about overcoming class, family, and outside opinion to find true love. In Savan's book, Max wastes into decline while Nora ultimately thrives in the quest for truth, redemption, and self-forgiveness. She becomes his salvation only after he stops hating himself. But mainstream Hollywood shuns making "protagonists" so mad, bad, or sad, and as such, too much glitter is tossed on Spader, while Sarandon, as usual, is the only one who seems to embody and understand her character's angst. She deserved her Oscar for Nora, not the nun in Dead Man Walking. --Paula Nechak
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Customer Reviews
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Most helpful customer reviews
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars
A good, solid love story with great performances...,
By A Customer
This review is from: White Palace (DVD)
I found this film to be a very moving and touching love story. The chemistry between the two lead characters is fantastic and holds the attention of the viewer. I am a big fan of James Spader and he does a fantastic job in this film, even though I prefer his more recent movies. This is a good film to check out if you are a fan of either Spader or Sarandon.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Timeless Movie!,
By elizabeth morrison (St. louis, Missouri United States) - See all my reviews
This review is from: White Palace (VHS Tape)
White Palace" is truly one of the most enjoyable movies I have ever seen. It is timeless because no matter how many times you see it, you want to keep coming back for more!I am also a native of St. Louis, Mo. and it was incredible to see so many familiar sites that were in the film etc. his apt.- the outside building is in Clayton and the actual apt. is Lee Redell's, a famous restauranteur who gratiously lent it for the movie or Rachael and Neal's house- I drive past it almost daily! James Spader has become my favorite actor. I think it is so neat that he never graduated from high school let alone college and look what he has accomplished! He has a presence and a chemistry that is electrifying. He and Susan Sarandon were fantastic as lovers. The movie is very believable even though it is unusual for a woman 15 years older and from a completely different background economically and educationally to have an affair with such a younger man. You want to believe that it can work out. All in all this is a movie that will never grow old.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars
Wonderful Teaming of Actors,
By PAMELA S. BLANK (BROOKLYN, NY United States) - See all my reviews
This review is from: White Palace (VHS Tape)
I just saw the edited version of "White Palace" and I remember how much I enjoyed the uncut version, with its gritty realism. Please note the description above says "starring Luis Mandoki," when he's the director! The star is the vastly underutilized James Spader who I just saw in a strange movie called "Secretary." Here he's in love with the older Susan Sarandon and it's magic. I also read the book, whick is quite different from the movie, but they're both quite enjoyable. Pop the popcorn and enjoy!
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