Cross Creek

Cross Creek is a film released in 1983, directed by Martin Ritt that is named after the rural community in north-central Florida where it takes place. The film stars Mary Steenburgen portraying the real-life character of Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings, the acclaimed author, who penned the award-winning novel, “The Yearling”. The film highlights the life of Rawlings, focusing on her journey from being a struggling writer in a city to a successful novelist depicting rural life.

As the narrative unfolds, we see Rawlings decide to leave the industrial surroundings of 1920s New York behind, after unsuccessful attempts at writing romance novels that would appeal to the masses. She purchases an orange grove in Florida’s Cross Creek, despite having little knowledge of the farming lifestyle that awaits her there. It's her husband who suggests the move initially, although, within the film, he quickly disappears from her life and it's largely her solo journey that the audience witnesses.

The audience steps into a different era with Steenburgen's character, as she boldly immerses herself in an entirely new and different lifestyle, solitary and remote from the city life she was accustomed to. Her initial struggles to adapt to her new life and the series of trial and errors as she learns to farm in southern Florida forms an important part of the narrative.

The movie shines a light on her relationship with her surroundings and her neighbors of varying backgrounds. Rawlings, somewhat an outsider initially in the close-knit rural community, begins to befriend the Floridian locals, including an array of colorful characters that make up her new world. These include the eccentric Marsh Turner, played delicately by Rip Torn, and the neighbor Geechee, interpreted by Actress Alfre Woodard in a standout performance that earned her an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress.

The film truly embraces the spirit of southern rural life, its rugged beauty, and its down-to-earth people, aspects that Rawlings later successfully incorporates in her works. Cross Creek delineates Rawlings' immersion into a new culture and environment and showcases her journey towards finding her authentic voice that strikes a chord with people.

Mary Steenburgen brings to life Marjorie's strong-willed, independent spirit, her resilience, and her commitment to her chosen path that is remarkable and inspiring. Her performance is grounded and engaging, appealing to the audience on a personal level, perfectly embodying the quintessential writer in search of her own narrative.

Rip Torn, as Marsh Turner, delivers a textured performance that not only adds complexity to Rawlings' story but also demonstrates the unique culture and perspective of rural Floridians. Peter Coyote plays Norton Baskin, a local hotel owner who eventually becomes a romantic interest for Rawlings. His subtle and proficient portrayal warms up the screen each time he shares it with Steenburgen.

The cinematography deserves a special mention as it captures the lush beauty and rawness of rural Florida, adding an aesthetically pleasing dimension to the narrative. The picturesque landscapes, the wilderness, the extensive orange groves, and the rippling creek, all bring a certain tranquility on the screen that reinforces the thematic elements of Marjorie's journey of transformation and finding her inner voice.

With a remarkable cast and deeply engaging storytelling, Cross Creek is more than a simple biographic tale. The film masterfully intertwines the life of the author with the social and cultural intricacies of rural south, highlighting how her life at Cross Creek profoundly influenced her narratives and impacted her career as an author.

An essential part of the charm of Cross Creek is that it's rooted in utter simplicity. The film does not try to dramatize Marjorie's story unnecessarily but rather lets it unfold organically, leaving the viewer drawn towards her journey. It's about a woman who forfeited urban life to seek a simpler yet richer life in the Floridian wilderness, about how her sojourn changed her not only as a writer but also as a person.

For viewers who appreciate literature or are intrigued by the experiences of authors, Cross Creek is an undeniably mighty catch. The film composes the symphony of an author's journey to her authentic voice beautifully, inviting viewers to an intimate narrative that is indeed a pleasant watch.