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First of all, do not confuse this film as a remake of Billy Graham's film production of The Hiding Place. Here, we have a different story line, which refers to family secrets. Director Douglas Green is premiering his film, The Hiding Place on April 3, 2003 in his hometown of Kansas City, Missouri. It will then show at various theaters in the country. Green was looking for an ensemble-cast type film and found it in Mitch Giannunzio's play A Smaller Place. A screenplay was done and then casting began. The late Kim Hunter did the role of Muriel on stage and agreed to play the part in the film, which was re-named The Hiding Place. It's the last film for the late actress Kim Hunter, who died on Sept. 11, 2002. Hunter will always be remembered for her role as Stella in the first screen version of A Streetcar Named Desire. Muriel's son, Jack, is played by Timothy Bottoms, who gained fame years ago in The Last Picture Show and continued with television appearances such as That's My Bush! Bottoms does look like President George Bush and occasionally, when in profile in the film, the audience may catch the resemblance. Jack's wife, Holly, is played by Kim Greist (television's Chicago Hope) and their two children are Katie Hagan (Deep Impact) and Hayden Tank (The Perfect Storm).

In this film, Hunter (Muriel) is the aging mother to Jack and lives alone in her house aided by housekeeper, Sally (Howard). Muriel becomes increasingly forgetful and on this particular visit, begins to confuse Jack with a suitor from her youthful years. Holly has seen this scenario coming for a long time and through phone calls with Jack, tells him to take Muriel for a doctor's examination--now. Perhaps this is the time for Muriel to leave her house and live elsewhere. However, as Muriel fades in and out of reality, she and Jack begin a dialogue about their past, and certain facts come out that clarify emotions Jack has put out of his mind. Truths must be faced, and the audience sees that this family has lies and deep secrets.

The Hiding Place has exquisite moments. One is when Jack and Muriel are sitting across from each other in the kitchen and talking. It is as natural as observing this in your home. Timothy Bottoms has an expressive face, and there is a gentleness present that connects with Muriel's confused state. Anyone who has been a caregiver can relate to this situation. Another is the phone conversation between Jack and Holly, where Jack takes charge of a situation and tells Holly to back down. The crumbling look on Kim Greist's face is a treasure. She goes from controlling to being controlled in seconds. However, the finest moments belong to Kim Hunter, when she tries to explain that she knows what is happening to her and doesn't know what to do. Here is a consummate actress who makes it look so easy, yet there are years and years of acting experience behind her face and body language.

It is wonderful to think of people close to us as youthful all the time. Even as family members age, we tend to greet them with expressions from the past. It is when reality sets in--and this reality can be difficult sometimes--that we must come out of the clouds and see the situation for what it is. Time marches on for everyone. The sharpest minds become forgetful, and for those with senile dementia or Alzheimer's disease, the mind begins to disappear in a quagmire of misfiring brain cells. Sometimes, a hiding place is the safest place to be.

As for film production values, The Hiding Place is mainly set in Muriel's home, and this gives the film a closed-in feeling. If the audience looks away from the screen for an instant, they may miss a key point. This film is one of family relationships, so no car chases or guns. The dialogue moves the plot, and just when the audience thinks a certain point has been exhausted, something else is brought up and away we go. One can tell that the film budget was carefully calculated, but cinematographer John Leuba's lighting certainly adds to the production.

Muriel does not live in a perfect house. There are piles of magazines and newspapers, plus half-empty food containers in the refrigerator. This is Muriel's mind as it slowly ages. Gives one something to pause and reflect. Who will come to your aid in years to come?

Copyright 2003 Marie Asner
Submitted 4/3/03