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How to Make an American Quilt (1995)

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Average Rating: 5.8/10
Reviews Counted: 22
Fresh: 12 | Rotten: 10

No consensus yet.

Average Rating: 7.6/10
Critic Reviews: 6
Fresh: 5 | Rotten: 1

No consensus yet.

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Average Rating: 3.2/5
User Ratings: 11,089

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Movie Info

A young woman at a crossroads in her life finds herself receiving plenty of advice from her older and wiser counterparts in this drama. Finn Dodd (Winona Ryder) is a graduate student trying to finish up her doctoral thesis on women's folk art while deciding if she should marry her fianc� Sam (Dermot Mulroney); she's not sure if she's ready to settle down, and suspects that Sam is unfaithful to her. Needing time to sort things out, Finn chooses to spend the summer with her grandmother Hy (Ellen

PG-13, 1 hr. 56 min.

Drama, Comedy

Directed By: Jocelyn Moorhouse

In Theaters: Oct 6, 1995 Wide

On DVD: Feb 23, 1999

MCA Universal Home Video

How to Make an American Quilt Trailer & Photos

Cast

Winona Ryder
Finn Dodd
Anne Bancroft
Glady Jo Finn's great a...
Maya Angelou
Anna
Ellen Burstyn
Hy (Finn's grandmother)
Kate Nelligan
Constance Saunders Dean...
Jean Simmons
Em (artist's wife)
Alfre Woodard
Marianna
Jane Alden
Em's Mother
Adam Baldwin
Finn's Father
Kate Capshaw
Sally Finn's mother
Loren Dean
Young Preston Sophia's ...
Melinda Dillon
Mrs. Darling Sophia's m...
Joanna Going
Young Em
Tim Guinee
Young Dean
Richard Jenkins
Howell
Samantha Mathis
Young Sophia Darling
Brian McElroy
Baby Pres
Ari Meyers
Duff
Dermot Mulroney
Sam
Will Nipper
Boy at Party
Derrick O'Connor
Dean
Charles Parks
Guest
James Rebhorn
Esther Rolle
Aunt Pauline
Lois Smith
Sophia
Gail Strickland
The Mrs
Holland Taylor
Mrs Rubens
Mykelti Williamson
Winston
Rip Torn
Arthur Cleary
Debra Stricklin
Guest
Claire Danes
Young Glady Joe
Johnathon Schaech
Leon
Maria Celedonio
Young Anna
Alicia Goranson
Young Hy
Jared Leto
Beck
David Williams
Em's Father

Critic Reviews for How to Make an American Quilt

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All Critics (33) | Top Critics (12) | Fresh (13) | Rotten (10) | DVD (2)

Despite its hard-sell coming attraction and pot-smoking granny singing rock oldies, How to Make an American Quilt turns out to be a wealth of old-style Hollywood magic.

January 1, 2000 Comment

USA Today

Top Critic

Rollicking, soap-like tale of women's love lives.

December 18, 2010 Full Review Source: Common Sense Media

| Comment

Heather Boerner

Common Sense Media

winona spoils the lovely vignettes

April 27, 2005 Comment (1)

Karina Montgomery

Cinerina

The stories are uninvolving, often too brief, and they quickly grow tiresome and repetitive.

January 8, 2005 Full Review Source: TheMovieReport.com

| Comment

Michael Dequina

TheMovieReport.com

Although the guys will find themselves drifting off in spots here and there, Ms Ryder's still got enough sensuality and magnetism to wake you up through more spots than you'd expect.

July 11, 2003 Comment

Clint Morris

Moviehole

Also known as, 'How to Make an American Critic Doze Off."

March 4, 2003 Comment

Alex Sandell

Juicy Cerebellum

Commends the value of women sharing their stories and secrets across generational lines.

August 28, 2002 Full Review Source: Spirituality and Practice

| Comment

Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat

Spirituality and Practice

Audience Reviews for How to Make an American Quilt

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I watched this years ago and can remember being quite disappointed with it. Enough time has now gone by that I felt like a re-watch. Has it improved with age? Well, yes and no.
First of all, it is a little on the dull side. I don't think the story of a young woman, Finn (Winona Ryder), who goes to stay with her older female relatives who are part of a quilting circle would be too many people's idea of riveting viewing.
Finn is recently engaged and has cold feet, so she becomes interested in hearing about the romantic lives of her relatives and their friends, which she is also using as a thesis topic. In flashback form, we see the disappointments and hardships these strong women have faced, as well as the parts that made it seem worthwhile. It's sentimental and a little cliched in that way American movies seem to be, but it is nice in its way. I think maybe it's a film that improves with repeat viewings, as there are quite a few female characters here, plus their younger selves, it can get a little confusing as to who is who!
The acting is excellent. A really good cast here. I think this is more a movie to appeal to an older female audience. Not one for young girls as they will be bored, as I was first time I watched this, I was not at an age to relate to the older women here. Men also, I think would be bored - even older ones!
I recommend it, but with reservations. Maybe one to watch on tv !

January 22, 2009

Nicki Marie

Super Reviewer

Winona visits her grandmonther and joins her sewing circle and learns about their relationships. Touching movie.

August 11, 2007

Candy Rose

Super Reviewer

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