Starring Gena Rowlands Directed by Nick Cassavetes Rated R, with profanity and spousal abuse Running time 105 minutes Jack gives this film a rating of 8 out of 10

(May 16, 1997) -- The widow and son of much-admired, movie-making rebel John Cassavetes pool their talents in Unhook the Stars, an engrossing drama about a middle-aged woman who finally finds a place for herself in life.

The role is very much a gift to his Mom from writer and first-time director Nick Cassavetes. And since Mom is Gena Rowlands, a two-time Oscar nominee, she knows what to do with the gift when she gets it. She's wonderful.

In Unhook the Stars, Rowlands plays Mildred, a widow with two grown children. Her son has married and moved on; her daughter (Moira Kelly) is an arrogant and rebellious teen who moves out of the house as the film opens.

Left alone for the first time in her life, Mildred is all at sea until Monica (Marisa Tomei) knocks on her door. She is a young mother from across the street who's entangled in an abusive marriage. When her husband storms out, she comes to Mildred for emergency help: She needs someone to watch her 6-year-old son, J.J., while she goes to work. The little boy is played with winning charm by Jake Lloyd.

Over time, Mildred and J.J. grow fond of each other -- and Mildred begins to see the boy as another opportunity to keep "mothering." But as Cassavetes's smart script details, there is another future for Mildred.

Unhook the Stars is an appealing actors' showcase, with Tomei, Kelly and Lloyd all contributing quality support for the Rowlands' insightful portrayal. Also look for French superstar Gerard Depardieu (a long-time Cassavetes fan). He makes an ingratiating appearance as Big Tommy, a strapping French-Canadian truck driver who meets Mildred in a tavern and begins to romance her.

Coming-of-age stories are usually about the young. But life keeps giving us new ages to come to -- and that's why this portrait of a fifty-something woman is very much a coming-of-age saga. And a well-made one at that.

It remains to be seen what direction Nick Cassavetes will take with his emerging career as a filmmaker. But, based on this likable first effort, it's safe to say Dad would be proud.