Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- Mild
- wistful
- sentimental
- melancholic
- quiet evening
- family drama night
What critics said
Critics broadly regarded the film as a contrived, tedious, and unconvincing sequel, despite Shirley MacLaine's committed performance.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Aurora Greenway attempts to hold together grandchildren facing incarceration, rebellion, poverty, and serious illness.
Terminal illness and multiple deaths are central pressures on Aurora and her family relationships.
The story continues Aurora Greenway's life after the events of the earlier family saga and shifts attention toward her grandchildren.
One grandson lives just above the poverty line while Aurora navigates the unequal circumstances of her family.
Films like The Evening Star, and why
Terms of Endearment
intergenerational family drama with comic and romantic elements, centered on a strong-willed older woman
The Joy Luck Club
emotionally direct family melodrama involving parents, children, illness, and difficult reconciliation
The Family Stone
ensemble domestic drama balancing family conflict, romance, humor, and terminal illness
Movie Details
- Director
- Robert Harling
- Release Date
- 1996-12-25
- Runtime
- 129 min
- Rating
- 5.9 / 10 (83)
Cast
- Shirley MacLaine
- Bill Paxton
- Juliette Lewis
- Miranda Richardson
- Ben Johnson
- Scott Wolf
- George Newbern
- Marion Ross
- Mackenzie Astin
- Donald Moffat
Where to watch in United States
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is The Evening Star about?
- A formidable Texas matriarch struggles to protect a fractured family whose younger generation faces rebellion, incarceration, poverty, and loss.
- What is The Evening Star like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of The Evening Star as measured, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is The Evening Star violent?
- Only mildly. Ember rates the violence in The Evening Star as mild.
- What did critics think of The Evening Star?
- Critics broadly regarded the film as a contrived, tedious, and unconvincing sequel, despite Shirley MacLaine's committed performance.
- Which films are like The Evening Star?
- Films with a similar feel include Terms of Endearment, The Joy Luck Club, and The Family Stone.
- How long is The Evening Star?
- The Evening Star runs 129 minutes.
- Where can I watch The Evening Star?
- In United States, The Evening Star is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home.
