White Palace

1990 Drama

Screenwriters Ted Tally and Alvin Sargent adapted the novel by Glenn Savan into this intelligent comedy-drama about a May-December romance where the woman is the senior partner. James Spader is Max Baron, a 27-year-old St. Louis advertising executive who has completely shut himself off from the world in the two years since the auto accident death of his wife. When he meets free-spirited, 43-year-old burger joint waitress Nora Baker (Susan Sarandon), his attraction to the earthy, outspoken woman is immediate and overpowering. The difference in age isn't their only obstacle happiness: Nora's into Marilyn Monroe, drinking beer, and lives in Dogtown, the city's low-rent district, while Max is cultured, sophisticated, and wealthy. Despite their differences, Max and Nora are alike in their suffering and in their deep need for connection, but their charged relationship is put to the emotional test when it becomes clear that Max is hiding his affair with Nora from his upper middle-class, Jewish social circle. White Palace co-stars Renée Taylor, Eileen Brennan, Kathy Bates, Jason Alexander, and Corey Parker. more..

Director: Luis Mandoki

Starring: Susan Sarandon, James Spader,Jason Alexander, Kathy Bates, Eileen Brennan

Reviews

No reviews

Awards

  • Best Actress

    Chicago Film Critics Association Awards (1991)

     
  • Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture - Drama

    Golden Globes (1991)

     
  • Actress of the Year

    London Critics Circle Film Awards (1992)