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Le secret de Clara

Original title: Clara's Heart
  • 1988
  • PG-13
  • 1h 30m
IMDb RATING
6.1/10
2.7K
YOUR RATING
Le secret de Clara (1988)
Home Video Trailer from Warner Home Video
Play trailer0:31
1 Video
64 Photos
Drama

A Jamaican woman becomes the housekeeper for a rich Baltimore family and bonds with a disillusioned teenage boy.A Jamaican woman becomes the housekeeper for a rich Baltimore family and bonds with a disillusioned teenage boy.A Jamaican woman becomes the housekeeper for a rich Baltimore family and bonds with a disillusioned teenage boy.

  • Director
    • Robert Mulligan
  • Writers
    • Joseph Olshan
    • Mark Medoff
  • Stars
    • Whoopi Goldberg
    • Michael Ontkean
    • Kathleen Quinlan
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    6.1/10
    2.7K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Robert Mulligan
    • Writers
      • Joseph Olshan
      • Mark Medoff
    • Stars
      • Whoopi Goldberg
      • Michael Ontkean
      • Kathleen Quinlan
    • 9User reviews
    • 11Critic reviews
    • 52Metascore
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 4 nominations total

    Videos1

    Clara's Heart
    Trailer 0:31
    Clara's Heart

    Photos64

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    Top cast31

    Edit
    Whoopi Goldberg
    Whoopi Goldberg
    • Clara Mayfield
    Michael Ontkean
    Michael Ontkean
    • Bill Hart
    Kathleen Quinlan
    Kathleen Quinlan
    • Leona Hart
    Neil Patrick Harris
    Neil Patrick Harris
    • David Hart
    Spalding Gray
    Spalding Gray
    • Peter Epstein
    Beverly Todd
    Beverly Todd
    • Dora
    Hattie Winston
    Hattie Winston
    • Blanche Loudon
    Jason Downs
    Jason Downs
    • Alan Lipsky
    Caitlin Thompson
    • Celeste
    Maria Broom
    Maria Broom
    • Felicia
    Wanda Christine
    • Lydia
    Maryce Carter
    • Babs
    Angel Harper
    Angel Harper
    • Rita
    Frederick Strother
    Frederick Strother
    • Bundy
    • (as Fred Strother)
    Joseph Muth
    • Father Joe
    • (as Father Joseph Muth)
    Warren Long
    • Leo
    Dorthy Cunningham
    • Buxom Woman
    Alaine Laughton
    • Little Girl
    • Director
      • Robert Mulligan
    • Writers
      • Joseph Olshan
      • Mark Medoff
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews9

    6.12.6K
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    Featured reviews

    10litlbit2001

    Loved it when I was kid and love it as an adult.,,,,,,,,

    Loved it when I first saw it and will always love it. It's one of those 80's movies that tears at your heart strings without being to sappy. It makes the viewer aware that this kind of things are happening in other households and that it's actually something that's real and not made up. If you watch it as a kid and then watch it as an adult you may learn more about it. This is one movie I want on DVD, because it shows that like others have mentioned, it's not a happy ever ending, but a realistic ending. David learns some valuable lessons as he is trying to deal with his guilt of his baby sister's death. Remember when he wanted to save a toy of hers and Clara tells him no. (I haven't watched it in a long time so I don't know exactly what she say, but it's something to think about.) I love this movie and always will. I think everyone should see this movie.
    10saramjohnson-05027

    Great movie

    Movie was awesome , I love the story line and I love the message that came with the movie . Movie definitely gives you another perspective of life . And the story really touches deep within people who experience the same situation. Especially a love for another stranger ! Loved it !
    9MarieGabrielle

    Beautiful and sad...

    besides the fact that Whoopi Goldberg and Spalding Gray are in this film, this is a very nice set-piece for families in America, who "have it all" yet something is missing.

    Whoopi Goldberg and Spalding Gray (recently deceased) are the bookends of a tragic story of yet another family that does not work out. Katherine Quinlan, Neil Patrick Harris, and Michael Ontkean are the family, who cannot hold it together after a baby dies.

    The shores of Baltimore are well-filmed and beautiful, as well as the scenes in Jamaica, where Quinlan befriends Goldberg, and learns about the complexities of life.

    This is a film worth watching because there are no pat answers. The audience sees a story true to life, and empathizes with the actors. The cinematography is also noteworthy, and anyone who has experienced loss will not regret watching this film. 9/10.
    6dick-56

    tender even if we know the end

    Well I must say this is nothing new to us what concerns the plot.But I loved it unconditioned for what it is expected.Perhaps my rating(***/1/2)is not really to agree. But I I had nice feelings on the movie.It was really likely.Just from the beginning you could expect how it was going on.The acting of whoopie is not that we are known about but not bad.The little boy is interesting along the film. He gives that little way of speeding Clara that gives you the taste to watch it.It was nice to me (even it's not my favorite genre).It's hard to make eleven lines if you have to say less about it.I can't sing glory till the end. But you won't disagree totally to this film.
    mmmunier

    Warm black and white story

    I only caught "the rest of the movie" But seeing W Goldberg I decided to watch it and loved it. Young white American boy find out his parents will not stay together and has to deal with it. House Keeper W G is supposed to be Jamaican and it seems has "raised" this child along his parents and somehow has become part of the family all hierarchy still in vigor but not really imposed as it seems this family has much relied on her. Young David is also faced with a mystery with his allied house keeper and his growing up is doubly challenged by his own situation but also with his parent's substitute unclear past. I do have a lot of time for W G and enjoyed her performance never giving into over emotional yet displaying a genuine caring attitude. Some may find the final finding a little over the top, but I know sometimes reality can be larger than fiction so personality I go with the flow. I wonder why there are so few reviews...to each its own

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Film debut of Neil Patrick Harris.
    • Quotes

      Catherine the decorator: Um David, what do you think of your dad's apartment?

      David Hart: Well, it's pretty goddamn ostentatious if you ask me, but of course that's just a kid's opinion. I mean, I don't even speak Italian. Are you sexually involved with my father?

    • Connections
      Featured in Siskel & Ebert & the Movies: The Accused/Another Woman/Madame Sousatzka/Hotel Terminus/Clara's Heart (1988)
    • Soundtracks
      Jamming
      Written by Bob Marley

      Performed by Bob Marley & The Wailers (as Bob Marley and The Wailers)

      Courtesy of Island Records

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    FAQ17

    • How long is Clara's Heart?Powered by Alexa

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • October 7, 1988 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Clara's Heart
    • Filming locations
      • Port Antonio, Jamaica
    • Production companies
      • MTM Enterprises
      • Warner Bros.
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $5,194,491
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $588,869
      • Oct 9, 1988
    • Gross worldwide
      • $5,194,491
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 30 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Stereo
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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