Plenty (1985)
Fred Schepisi's adaptation of David Hare's acclaimed play, starring Meryl Streep as a former French Resistance fighter undone by peacetime.
Plenty - Movie Information
- Original Title: Plenty
- Release Year: 1985
- Directed by: Fred Schepisi
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Drama, Romance
- Age Rating (US): R
- Runtime: 2h 4m
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- Release Date (Theatrical): September 20, 1985 (United States - R), April 30, 1986 (Germany - 16)
- Alternative Titles: Bőség (HU), For Enhver Pris (DK), Plenty - O Mundo de Uma Mulher (BR)
- Production Companies: Pressman Productions, 20th Century Fox, RKO Pictures
- Production Countries: United Kingdom, United States of America
Plenty - Plot
David Hare's account of a one-time French freedom fighter who gradually realizes that her post-war life is not meeting her expectations.
Plenty - Trailer
Watch the official trailer for this compelling drama:
To know the pleasure of power. To feel the heat of passion. To stretch life to the absolute limit. She would settle for nothing less.
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Plenty - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Fred Schepisi
Main Cast
- Meryl Streep
- Tracey Ullman
- John Gielgud
- Sting
- Ian McKellen
- Sam Neill
- Burt Kwouk
- Charles Dance
- Christopher Fairbank
- Hugh Laurie
Writers
- David Hare
Producers
- Edward R. Pressman
- Joseph Papp
Plenty - FAQs
What is Plenty about?
Plenty follows Susan Traherne, a British woman who served in the French Resistance during World War II. Back in peacetime England, she finds ordinary life suffocating and hollow compared to the intensity of the war years. The film traces her emotional unraveling across two decades as she struggles to recapture meaning and purpose.
Is Plenty based on a play?
Yes, Plenty is adapted from David Hare's acclaimed 1978 stage play of the same name. Hare also wrote the screenplay himself. The play originally premiered at the National Theatre in London and was widely praised for its sharp critique of postwar British society and its complex central character.
Where can you watch Plenty online?
Streaming availability for Plenty varies by region and platform. Your best bet is to check JustWatch, which tracks current rental, purchase, and streaming options across all major services in your area, so you can find the most up-to-date viewing options without hunting across multiple sites.
How does Meryl Streep perform in Plenty?
Meryl Streep delivers a demanding, layered performance as Susan Traherne, carrying the film across multiple decades and emotional registers. Critics noted her ability to make a deeply unsympathetic character compelling and even tragic. The role required her to portray both youthful idealism and slow psychological deterioration with remarkable precision.
Who are the main actors in Plenty?
The cast is genuinely impressive. Meryl Streep leads as Susan Traherne, joined by Charles Dance, Sam Neill, and Sting in key roles. The supporting ensemble includes Ian McKellen, John Gielgud, Tracey Ullman, and a very early appearance from Hugh Laurie, making it a remarkable gathering of British and international talent.
Does Plenty have a happy ending?
Not quite. The film ends on an ambiguous, bittersweet note. Susan's final moments flash back to wartime France, suggesting she finds peace only in memory rather than in the life she actually lived. It's a melancholy conclusion that reinforces the film's central theme: that postwar 'plenty' brought emptiness, not fulfillment.
How was Plenty received by critics?
Critical reception was mixed but respectful. Most reviewers praised Streep's performance and the film's ambition while noting that its stage origins made it feel somewhat theatrical and emotionally distant on screen. It was seen as a serious, intelligent drama that didn't fully translate the power of Hare's original play into cinematic terms.
What themes does Plenty explore?
Plenty digs into postwar disillusionment, the gap between idealism and reality, and the psychological cost of living through extreme historical events. It also critiques the British establishment and the hollow prosperity of the postwar decades. At its core, it's a portrait of a woman who peaked during wartime and never recovered from peace.
More About Plenty
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