''Windy City'' is a 1984 American
drama film
In film and television, drama is a category or genre of narrative fiction (or semi-fiction) intended to be more serious than humorous in tone. Drama of this kind is usually qualified with additional terms that specify its particular super ...
written and directed by
Armyan Bernstein
Barry "Armyan" Bernstein (born August 12, 1947) is an American film producer, director and screenwriter. He is the co-founder and chairman of film company Beacon Pictures.
Career
Bernstein has produced, executive produced, written or direc ...
and starring
Kate Capshaw
Kathleen Sue Spielberg (''née'' Nail; born November 3, 1953), known professionally as Kate Capshaw, is an American retired actress. She is best known for her portrayal of Willie Scott, an American nightclub singer and performer in ''Indiana Jon ...
,
Josh Mostel
Joshua Mostel (born December 21, 1946) is an American actor with numerous film and Broadway credits. The son of Zero Mostel, he is best known for his supporting roles in films such as ''Jesus Christ Superstar'' (1973), '' Harry and Tonto'' (1974 ...
and
John Shea
John Victor Shea III ( ; born April 14, 1949) is an American actor, film producer and stage director. His career began on Broadway theatre, Broadway where he starred in ''Yentl (play), Yentl,'' subsequently winning his first major award, the 1975 ...
.
Plot
Danny Morgan, a writer living in Chicago, feels his world crashing down around him. His former girlfriend, Emily, is about to get married. His close childhood friend, Sol, has leukemia. Danny reflects on his past relationship with Emily while also trying to give Sol the send-off he deserves.
Danny pitches the idea of a sailing trip to their group of friends. This plan refers back to their childhood fantasies of being adventurers and pirates. However, Danny's friends have obligations and claim they are unable to just take off.
Despite a clandestine kiss with Emily at a dance club, Danny is unable to persuade her to take him back. On the day of Emily's wedding, he runs to stop her but is blocked by a rising drawbridge. He tries to jump the gap between the bridge's two halves, but falls short and lands in the river below. He arrives too late to stop the wedding ceremony.
Danny and Sol's friends throw caution to the wind and pitch in to make the sailing trip happen. As they all sail away from the harbor, Sol thanks Danny. In voice over, Danny reveals Sol died on the evening of trip's ninth day.
Years later, Danny runs into Emily, who is now divorced. The two of them go to a park, talk and hint at a possible reconciliation.
Cast
*
John Shea
John Victor Shea III ( ; born April 14, 1949) is an American actor, film producer and stage director. His career began on Broadway theatre, Broadway where he starred in ''Yentl (play), Yentl,'' subsequently winning his first major award, the 1975 ...
as Danny Morgan
*
Kate Capshaw
Kathleen Sue Spielberg (''née'' Nail; born November 3, 1953), known professionally as Kate Capshaw, is an American retired actress. She is best known for her portrayal of Willie Scott, an American nightclub singer and performer in ''Indiana Jon ...
as Emily Reubens
*
Josh Mostel
Joshua Mostel (born December 21, 1946) is an American actor with numerous film and Broadway credits. The son of Zero Mostel, he is best known for his supporting roles in films such as ''Jesus Christ Superstar'' (1973), '' Harry and Tonto'' (1974 ...
as Sol
* Jim Borrelli as Mickey
*
Jeffrey DeMunn
Jeffrey DeMunn (born April 25, 1947) is an American stage, film and television actor known for playing Captain Esteridge in '' The Hitcher'' (1986), Sheriff Herb Geller in ''The Blob'' (1988), Andrei Chikatilo in '' Citizen X'' (1995), Harry Terwi ...
as Bobby
*
Eric Pierpoint
Eric Pierpoint (born November 18, 1950) is an American actor and author. He is perhaps best known for his role as George Francisco on Fox Network's ''Alien Nation (TV series), Alien Nation''. He has also notably appeared on each of the first fo ...
as Pete
*
Lewis J. Stadlen as Marty
* James Sutorius as Eddy
* Niles McMaster as Michael
*
Lisa Taylor as Sherry
*
Nathan Davis as Mr. Jones
* Louie Lanciloti as Ernesto
* Wilbert Bradley as Joe the Janitor
References
External links
*
*
*
1984 films
1980s English-language films
Films set in Chicago
1984 drama films
American drama films
Films scored by Jack Nitzsche
Films directed by Armyan Bernstein
Films with screenplays by Armyan Bernstein
CBS Theatrical Films films
1984 directorial debut films
1980s American films
{{1980s-drama-film-stub