The Effect of Gamma Rays on Man-in-the-Moon Marigolds

An engaging adaptation of Paul Zindel's Pulitzer Prize-winning play, which sees Paul Newman's cool, lucid direction transforming what could have been a pretentious domestic drama into a touching account of small joys in sad and stunted lives. Woodward is excellent as the slatternly mother of two daughters, one introverted and hiding a tenacious interest in science (the title refers to her school project), the other a boy-chasing cheerleader destined to follow in her mother's unsuccessful footsteps. Newman and Woodward's daughter Potts steals the movie, but what makes it so watchable is Newman's reluctance to sentimentalise.