The Patron Saint of Liars

The Patron Saint of Liars is a drama film from 1998, directed by Stephen Gyllenhaal and based on the novel by Ann Patchett. The movie stars Dana Delany as Rose, a pregnant woman who abandons her husband and seeks refuge at a home for unwed mothers in rural Kentucky called the St. Elizabeth's. The film also features Sada Thompson as Mother Marie-Therese, the head of the home, and Clancy Brown as Son, a carpenter who helps to build a new wing for the St. Elizabeth's.

The movie is set in the 1960s and tells the story of Rose, a woman who is unhappy with her life and makes the impulsive decision to flee her husband and go to St. Elizabeth's, where she plans to have her baby and give it up for adoption. Rose fabricates a story about her background to fit in as a patient at the home, saying that her father died in the war and her mother is deceased.

Mother Marie-Therese is initially skeptical of Rose's story, but she quickly becomes fond of her new patient and sees something in her that others might not. She even goes so far as to suggest that Rose stay on at St. Elizabeth's after giving birth to help care for the other women there. Over time, Rose becomes more and more involved in the lives of the other women at the home, and she starts to question her decision to give up her own child for adoption.

Meanwhile, Son is a local builder who has been hired to construct a new wing for St. Elizabeth's. He is a man of few words, but his actions speak louder than his words, and he becomes a source of comfort for Rose during her time at the home. There is an undeniable attraction between the two, but complications arise when it becomes clear that Son has a wife and child of his own.

The Patron Saint of Liars is a well-paced drama that explores themes of the search for home and identity, the power of secrets and lies, and the strength of human connection. The performances by the three leads are strong and emotionally resonant, particularly Dana Delany's portrayal of Rose, who is simultaneously vulnerable and brave throughout the film. The film also benefits from its rural Kentucky setting, which is shot beautifully by cinematographer Elliot Davis, and the poignant score by Thomas Newman.

Overall, The Patron Saint of Liars is a moving and thought-provoking film that will stay with viewers long after the credits roll. It grapples with complex and universal themes in a way that is both sensitive and honest, and it features exceptional performances from its talented cast.