Stones for Ibarra is truly a work of excellence by acclaimed writer Harriet Doerr which was brought to the small screen in 1988 under the direction of the talented but highly underrated Jack Gold(The Package).It is a simple but moving tale of a childless American couple who against better judgment and the advice of friends and family move to the small Mexican village/town of Ibarra.As they come into contact with the local population and learn more about their life changing experiences their own perspective on life starts to change particularly that of the woman Sara portrayed to near perfection by the legendary Glenn Close.She comes to terms with her past ,the new people around her , customs of Ibarra (arrangement of the stones) and most importantly with the impending death of Richard (Kieth Carradine) her husband.
The movie captures the lives of the inhabitants as they are shaped by their pasts.The Mexican landscape is surprisingly breathtaking.The supporting cast includes Alphonso Arau,Ray Oriel and Angelina Torres.However the highest praise should be reserved for the brilliant Glenn Close who has time and again come up with landmark performances over the years.My favourite scene is when the character of Glenn Close is maintaining a calm exterior while talking to her husband while inside her a flurry of tumultuous emotions are exploding,both instances are presented in a juxtaposed manner by the director and truly takes your breath away.The rating of 8 is very much justified.Released only a few months after Fatal Attraction Close's character could not be more diametrically opposite to the psychotic Alex Forrest.She proves once again why she along with the likes of Meryl Streep and Jodie Foster are the true leading ladies of Hollywood.The fact that five Oscar nominations have not yielded an academy award for her is truly stupefying.
