Sweet Lorraine

After watching Memphis Belle, I never thought it was possibly to make a good movie without any sort of major conflict in the plot. That is, until I saw Sweet Lorraine.

There isn't much to this film, Sweet Lorraine. I thought it was going to be something like Cafe Bagdhad, but it wasn't. Maureen Stapelton is Lorraine. She is the owner of Hotel Lorraine, a summer bed and breakfast in the Catskills. But, business isn't what it used to be, so she is considering selling the place to some very persistent, yet tempting buyers who wish to modernize the place. The story, however, does not concern eccentric guests, or anything like that. It is mostly about the staff regulars that work at Hotel Lorraine each summer.

Lots of familiar faces here, such as Edi Falco, Ginacarlo Eposito, and others, with good performances by all, especially the very charming Maureen Stapelton and the actor who played the chef, Sam. If for nothing else, I would really recommend this movie if you've like Maureen Stapelton's other performance.

One summer in the 1960's, 3 girls from Florida packed a car and went to work in a family resort in the Poconos. For me it was utter culture shock. South Florida, and I don't mean Miami, was so very different. I yet remember the 3 year old twins from New Jersey who asked their dad, "Is this the country?" But so much of this movie was like my summer. The relationship of the college kids to the owners/family. The motley group of kids working at the resort. I happened to have a job as a chambermaid, which had real advantages over being a waitress. We were off work for the day after the rooms were cleaned! Our inn was no way near as large, the entertainment was even more corny, but the the experience, the memories. They are golden. It was a great summer job, a place to meet people from very different backgrounds, to see new places. Thanks for "Sweet Lorraine".

This is the only film in existence that truly captures the spirit, the era, and even the birdsong, of summering in the Catskills.

That the Director, Steve Gorman, and crew, (all of whom should have received awards), made certain that even the flora of the place was captures, is further testimony to the fact that this film should be meticulously preserved. They have made the movie so experiential, that the viewer feels they are there, picking wildflowers and herbs. The movie should also be housed and shown in the Smithsonian, if it isn't already. The film should be shown at movie festivals.

Awards and all honors should be given to.writers Michael Zettler, Shelly Altman, and George Malko; cinematographer Rene Ohashi, the entire art and production department..And the music could not better invoke the place and time.

The costuming, set decoration - Oh the set decoration - I can't very well say, "superb" again.

The casting and acting is outstanding. The local extras, were not simply "background." They exude every aspect of the experience. To own this film is to own history..Grateful to all who created this truly iconic masterpiece.

Sweet Loraine captures the Catskills experience like no other film. Much more authentic and emotionally honest than Dirty Dancing and other films of this genre,Sweet Loraine communicates the innocence and tenderness of the post-war generation of Jewish adolescents and celebrates the bittersweet passing of a a more gentle and carefree time. Toward this end, the writers employ a clever cross-generational plot design in which the challenges facing the owner of a declining Catskill resort hotel are balanced by the struggles of her visiting granddaughter. Maureen Stapleton's portrayal of the grandmother communicates the wisdom and experience of age without any of the stereotypical clichés which often accompany such roles. As her granddaughter, Trini Alvarado offers an understated performance that perfectly captures the transition from the blind certainty of youth to awareness of forces beyond her control. Sweet Loraine is one of the top five indie films of all time, and the gold standard for films about the Catskill Mountain resorts.

A relatively quiet and simple movie, but in a good way that leaves the viewer with a nice, somewhat melancholic wistfulness.

The movie excellently captures the world it portrays (one summer holiday season with the owner, staff and guests of a Catskill hotel that has seen better days). As others have noted, Maureen Stapleton makes the movie worthwhile on her own, and it's a special pleasure for anyone who has an appreciation for the history of such resort hotels, and the role they played giving many entertainers a start in "the old days."

The Nat King Cole song of the same title captures in song much of what the movie captures on film.