Five women who grew up together in a small Texas town idolizing James Dean reunite 20 years later at a local dime store and discuss their lives and loves, illusion and reality. The most touching moment comes when Sandy Dennis, who has deluded herself for years, finally accepts that Dean
was not the father of her illegitimate child. Director Robert Altman, turning Super 16mm cameras on the cast that he directed on Broadway in Ed Graczyck's play, captures the vitality of live performances from each of his actors. Using much technical invention, Altman does his best to invest his
uncinematic material with a cinematic feel, but if COME BACK TO THE 5 & DIME, JIMMY DEAN, JIMMY DEAN still looks like a filmed play--and not a great play at that--it is nonetheless presented with great sensitivity. Karen Black, Cher, and Dennis contribute especially fine performances to this
insightful film that was shot in just 19 days.
