''Silence Like Glass'' (German title: ''Zwei Frauen'') is a 1989 German-American drama film. Though made in Germany, it is set in America and features an American cast with all English dialogue. The film stars

Jami Gertz Jami Beth Gertz (born October 28, 1965) is an American actress. Gertz is known for her early roles in the films ''Crossroads'', ''The Lost Boys'', '' Less than Zero'' and '' Quicksilver'', the 1980s TV series ''Square Pegs'' and 1996's ''Twister ...

Martha Plimpton Martha Plimpton (born November 16, 1970) is an American actress. Her feature-film debut was in '' Rollover'' (1981); she subsequently rose to prominence in the Richard Donner film ''The Goonies'' (1985). She has also appeared in '' The Mosquito ...

George Peppard George Peppard (; October 1, 1928 – May 8, 1994) was an American actor. He is best remembered for his role as struggling writer Paul Varjak in the 1961 film '' Breakfast at Tiffany's'', and for playing commando leader Col. John "Hannibal ...

Bruce Payne Bruce Martyn Payne (born 22 November 1958) is an English actor, producer, screenwriter, film director and theatre director. Payne is best known for portraying villains, such as Charles Rane in '' Passenger 57'', Jacob Kell in '' Highlander: En ...

, and Rip Torn.

Plot

Eva is a wealthy, snobbish

ballerina A ballet dancer ( it, ballerina fem.; ''ballerino'' masc.) is a person who practices the art of classical ballet. Both females and males can practice ballet; however, dancers have a strict hierarchy and strict gender roles. They rely on ye ...

who is diagnosed with cancer. She is admitted into the youth cancer ward at a hospital where she is forced into humility by her disease. She rooms with fellow cancer patient Claudia, and the majority of the film revolves around their interactions together in their hospital room. She is treated with "concern and compassion" by Dr. Burton. Ultimately Eva goes into remission and is able to continue her life, but not before witnessing another young woman's death and also assisting Claudia to suicide.

Cast

as Eva Martin *

as Claudia Jacoby *

as Mr. Martin *

as Dr. Burton * Rip Torn as Dr. Markowitz *

Gayle Hunnicutt Gayle Jenkins, Lady Jenkins (''née'' Hunnicutt; born February 6, 1943) is an American retired film, television and stage actress. She has made more than 30 film appearances. Early life and education The daughter of Colonel Sam Lloyd Hunnicut ...

as Mrs. Martin

Production

Filming took place in West Germany in autumn 1988. The film opened the Munich film festival in the summer of 1989. Actress

shaved her head for this role, a move that would influence the direction of her career for the next several years. She appeared bald in the 1989 film '' Parenthood'' and accompanied her then-boyfriend

River Phoenix River Jude Phoenix (; August 23, 1970 – October 31, 1993) was an American actor, musician and activist. Phoenix grew up in an itinerant family, as the older brother of Rain Phoenix, Joaquin Phoenix, Liberty Phoenix, and Summer Phoenix. He ...

to the Oscars with a bald head.

Reception

The film was nominated for Outstanding Feature Film at the

German Film Awards German(s) may refer to: * Germany (of or related to) **Germania (historical use) * Germans, citizens of Germany, people of German ancestry, or native speakers of the German language ** For citizens of Germany, see also German nationality law **Ger ...

. Sam Frank stated that the film was 'engrossing throughout with a directorial style by

Carl Schenkel Carl Schenkel (pseudonym: Carlo Ombra; 8 May 1948 – 1 December 2003) was a Swiss film director. His 1984 film ''Abwärts'' won the Bavarian Film Award for Best Direction in 1985. :de:Carl Schenkel Filmography * ''Graf Dracula beißt jetzt in Ob ...

that is witty and inventive, yet unafraid to stare death in the face'. He also stated that the film featured two female lead performances 'that are among the strongest and most accomplished of the year'. Similarly, Juliet Wittman stated that Gertz and Plimpton 'should receive

Oscars The Academy Awards, better known as the Oscars, are awards for artistic and technical merit for the American and international film industry. The awards are regarded by many as the most prestigious, significant awards in the entertainment ind ...

for their fierce and lovely performances'. A reviewer for ''

Variety Variety may refer to: Arts and entertainment Entertainment formats * Variety (radio) * Variety show, in theater and television Films * ''Variety'' (1925 film), a German silent film directed by Ewald Andre Dupont * ''Variety'' (1935 film), ...

'' stated that the film contained 'brilliant acting and tight direction'. James Cameron-Wilson described the film as 'a powerful, superbly played drama set in a cancer clinic'. Another reviewer stated that ''Silence Like Glass'' was a 'discussion-worthy, thought-provoking film'. Rosemarie Kuheim described the film as 'moving'. In contrast, Georg Seeßlen stated that Schenkel's efforts in 'combining the content of a German television film with the craft of an American genre film' did not succeed.

Awards and honors

; 1990 :;

1990 :: Outstanding Feature Film (nominated)

References

External links

* * {{Carl Schenkel 1989 drama films 1989 films Films set in the United States American drama films German drama films English-language German films Films scored by Anne Dudley Films shot in Germany Films about cancer Films directed by Carl Schenkel 1980s English-language films 1980s American films 1980s German films