Melanie (film)
| Company type | Film |
|---|---|
| Industry | Film industry |
| Founded | 1982 |
| Founder | Rex Bromfield (director) |
| Products | Drama film |
Melanie is a Canadian drama film from 1982, directed by Rex Bromfield and featuring performances by Glynnis O'Connor, Burton Cummings, Paul Sorvino, and Don Johnson.
Plot summary
The story follows Melanie, a woman from rural Arkansas who journeys to Los Angeles in an effort to regain custody of her son from her former husband, Carl. Her inability to read and write presents a significant challenge. Along the way, she encounters Rick, a once-famous musician whose career has faded, and they form a connection. With the help of Rick's lawyer, who teaches her literacy skills, Melanie gains strength in her legal battle for her child.
Cast
- Glynnis O'Connor as Melanie
- Paul Sorvino as Walter
- Burton Cummings as Rick
- Trudy Young as Ronda
- Don Johnson as Carl
- Donann Cavin as Ginny
- Jamie Dick as Tyler
- Jodie Drake as Eula
- Lisa Dalbello as Marcie
- Yvonne Murray as Brandy
- Martha Gibson as Waitress
- Rocco Bellusci as Dana
- David Wills as Daryll Adrian
- L. Q. Jones as Buford (uncredited)
Development and casting
The film is adapted from Michael C. Green's novella A Melanie Without Words. Producer Peter R. Simpson secured the rights around early 1980. Burton Cummings was selected for his role following his exposure on Canadian television and his hosting duties at the Juno Awards. Initially hesitant about portraying a troubled character, Cummings auditioned and altered his appearance by growing his hair to resemble his early solo career style, mirroring the character’s development. As a newcomer to acting, he faced challenges but found inspiration working alongside seasoned actor Paul Sorvino.
Cummings contributed to the soundtrack by rearranging existing songs and composing new material, including "You Saved My Soul," which captures the essence of the protagonists' relationship. This song also served as the opening track on his album Sweet Sweet. Canadian artists Lisa Dalbello and David Wills from Stonebolt participated in both acting and musical performances within the film.
Filming and post-production
With a budget of CDN$4.3 million, principal photography commenced on 2 June 1980 in Toronto, with further scenes filmed in Los Angeles. The main shooting wrapped up on 24 July 1980. Additional footage was captured during a Burton Cummings concert at Ryerson Polytechnic Institute on 29 October 1980 before an audience of 3,000. This event also raised CDN$15,000 for the Canadian Juvenile Diabetes Foundation. Cummings performed a full hour-long set to energize the crowd before recording multiple takes of songs featured in the film. Although the concert sequence was ultimately trimmed to focus more on Melanie’s reunion with her son, clips from this live performance appear during the closing credits.
Release
Avco Embassy acquired distribution rights for the U.S., aiming for a late 1981 release. The film eventually debuted in February 1982 across both Canada and the United States.
Reception
Ned Powers of the Saskatoon Star-Phoenix lauded O'Connor’s powerful portrayal and noted Cummings’ unexpectedly smooth performance, emphasizing that the music was a key attraction. Bruce Bailey from The Montreal Gazette praised O'Connor but characterized the film as a deliberately crafted melodrama that seeks to manipulate viewers’ emotions, with mixed opinions regarding its depiction of violence.
In an American review for the Chicago Sun-Times, critic Roger Ebert described Melanie as "an uneven and sometimes frustrating but very alive movie."
Awards
Melanie earned seven nominations at the 4th Genie Awards:
- Best Performance by a Foreign Actress: Glynnis O'Connor (won)
- Best Original Song: Burton Cummings for "You Saved My Soul" (won)
- Best Adapted Screenplay: Richard Paluck and Robert Guza Jr.
(won)(revoked)- This accolade was withdrawn after it was determined that the original story was unpublished, rendering it ineligible as an adaptation.
- Best Direction: Rex Bromfield (nominee)
- Best Supporting Actress: Trudy Young (nominee)
- Best Costume Design: Julie Ganton (nominee)
- Sound Editing: Wayne Griffin and Dennis Drummond (nominee)