Customer Reviews

White Palace

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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.

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!

This review refers to the DVD edition(Goodtimes Video) of "White Palace".....

There couldn't be two people at more opposite ends of the poles than Nora Baker and Max Baron. He's a 27 year old upwardly mobile executive,obsessive and compulsive, he's neat as a pin, and Jewish. She's 43, is in the "food preparation business"(serves up greasy hamburgers) ,lives in the low rent district, in a house that doesn't get cleaned and has never even met anyone Jewish. They meet twice by happenstance and although it seems all they really have in common is that they are both from St.Louis, they discover they are really not all together different.

Max is grieving for his young and beautiful wife, and Nora her child. And although they handle their grief in very different ways, they take solace in each others arms. Their whirlwind affair, brings a renewed spirit to each of them, but when the relationship steps up to a new level, they wonder how they will fit into each other's world.

It's a believable, beautiful, and at times a funny love story.Susan Sarandon lights up the screen with her portrayal of the fiesty Nora. Spader shines in a role that seems to be made for him. Other notables in the cast include Jason Alexander,Eileen Brennan, and Kathy Bates.

The DVD could have a better transfer. Although there's nothing that will impair your viewing, it didn't seem as sharp and clear as it could be.The sound in Dolby Dig surround was very good, but the film has been "Formatted from it's original version to fit your screen"(pan and scan), and I didn't see a widescreen edition available, so we don't have a choice of how we would like to view it. There are however captions in English and subtitiles in Spanish and French and may be viewed in those languages as well.There are no other special features included.

The film is rated R and even that is pushing the envelope somewhat. The loves scenes are very steamy(this one is definately not for the kiddies), but you'll also find a beautiful story of fate stepping in and lending a hand. A romantic film that is worth the view in any format.

Thanks and enjoy.....Laurie

I saw this movie again after 10 years and really found it an enjoyable two hours. The premise of the movie is two wounded souls who seem to have nothing in common coming together and struggling to understand their place in the world or if there is a place in each other's worlds. The performances were first rate, the dialogue runs true and I highly recommend this movie.

I borrowed this video from a Library, not really knowing what to expect. It turned out to be a pretty steamy and hilariously funny movie. James Spader was really very sexy, playing the part of an upscale 27 year old Jewish widower. Susan Sarandon really played a convincing part of a poor conditioned living 44 year old woman. Both were lonely people looking for love. This is one very good steamy love story.

As a native St. Louisan and someone who had seen "White Palace" 12 years ago when it was first released, I was surprised by how little I had paid attention to this truly outstanding artistic creation until I saw it again. The sexual chemistry between James Spader and Susan Sarandan was electric; the supporting roles by James Alexander, Kathy Bates, Eileen Brennan, Rachael Levine and Corey Parker were truly professional; but the plot is what I found mesmerizing and so true to life. Nora Baker touched Max Baron's heart and soul unlike anyone had done since Janie( his wife's) death and allowed him to truly examine who he was and what would bring him a sense of peace and happiness for the rest of his life. The fast paced rat race of living the upper middle class Jewish existence in Ladue, Mo became sterile and meaningless when he realized that it was not too late to change his life i.e, leave St. Louis for NYC and go back to teaching (his true love) and finding the one person (Nora) whom he could be true to himself with! The fact that Nora was 16 years older, a heavy smoker and drinker, from a poor lower class family and a complete opposite of Max's made the attraction all the more intense. And the movie so spell-binding!!

Okay, I never read the book, which I'm sure is much deeper than the movie...still, as an older woman I can relate to this movie. Sarandon's character Nora demonstrates a truth that our youth obsessed society overlooks: older women can still be vital, often moreso than women half their age. ... This movie is not far-fetched or a *fairy tale* just because James Spader's character Max is relatively well-off, young and handsome, I know of similar real-life "odd couples"--...the movie strikes a realistic cord to me. Besides, this movie is very well made, watchable, sexy, and the ending puts tears in my eyes every time....

The movie is excellent and one of my favorite romantic movies. Susan Sarandon is superb as usual. But the full-screen format leaves half the image out, which is really a shame!

James Spader, a personal favorite of mine, stars with Susan Sarandon in this entertaining adaption of the Glenn Savan novel. I own and read that too, and although a book is ALWAYS deeper in detail, I was not disappointed with this film. ................ Max Baron, a twenty seven year old Jewish widower coming from his buddy Neil's (Jason Alexander, pre Costanza) bachelor party, meets poor white anglo trash waitress Nora (Susan Sarandon) at "White Palace" restaurant. He has come to claim six empty boxes that should have had burgers in them. Instead he gets no burgers, just a refund and lots of attitude from a beligerent Nora behind the register. ............... After being thoroughly depressed and feeling sorry for his loss more than ever, Max gets drunk. On his way home, he stops in a country music bar for a nightcap. A few gulps later, he is spotted by a cigarette puffing drunken Nora, attracted to Max, she is therefore, swilling AND willing. I don't think ANYONE would actually need drinks to find Spader attractive though. ................ After Max relents and lets Nora stay and have a drink, despite being surlier earlier...they end up back at her place. It is then, that two consenting, inebriated adults begin their December/May romance. ................ What Max had intended as one night stand, somehow ends up being true love, despite the ethnic differences, social status disparity, and disapproving friends and family. Max and Nora make-up, and break-up, and come to a crossroads in their relationship, but true love conquers all. ............... All the performances from the leads are well executed, you feel for Max. His analogy at a party, where his friends are trying to find him a more suitable mate is terrific. When asked if he likes the girl, Max's says, "There's No dust in her dustbuster!" This sums up his feelings perfectly. He doesn't WANT a perfect young girl, he wants imperfect older Nora. ................ I found this to be a warm, enjoyable romantic comedy/drama. Luis Mandoki did a fine directing job, and the script adaption was fine in telling the story. Jason Alexander was good as Neil, Max's best friend. There were also many good minor roles of various friends in Max's circle of snobs that really made you root for Nora all the more. A fun cameo was Kathy Bates in a small role as Spaders boss............. All in all, a winner that is definitely worth seeing, and adding to the romance selections in your film collection.