Stanley & Iris

"Some people need love spelled out for them."

Feb 9 1990 PG-13 1h 44m
Drama, Romance

An illiterate cook at a company cafeteria tries for the attention of a newly widowed woman. As they get to know one another, she discovers his inability to read. When he is fired, she takes on trying to teach him to read in her kitchen each night.

Plot

Stanley Cox is an illiterate short-order cook who has never taken a chance at love. Iris King is a newly widowed factory worker who has vowed never to love again. Still grieving eight months after her husband's death, she lives from paycheck to paycheck and raises two children. To make ends meet, she rents out space to her sister and brother-in-law who have financial and marital problems as well. Her daughter seeks escape through the company of boys resulting in an out of wedlock pregnancy, which makes matters worse. However, as their friendship slowly blossoms and Iris helps Stanley learn to read, his strong yet gentle kindness helps mend her broken heart. And where two lonely strangers stood trapped within the past, Stanley and Iris can now begin a new chapter of their lives - together.

Written by

Pat Barker, Harriet Frank Jr., Irving Ravetch

Directed by

Martin Ritt

Production Countries

United States of America

Production Companies

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, Star Partners II Ltd.

Languages

English

Awards

N/A

Scores
# of Votes
8,817
Average Rating
6.3 out of 10
Metascore
NA
Popularity
NA