The Yellow
Handkerchief is based on a Reader's Digest story by Peter Hamill. The
story, and screenplay, is about 4 people wanting to make a connection,
to be part of someone, something, hopefully a family and each of them
needing to love and trust others. The film revolves around three
strangers with two being given a ride out of town by a third passing by
though the heart of the story is between William Hurt and Maria Bello.

Eddie Redmayne is a young man in an old
convertible passing through town who makes a pass at Kristen Stewart who
has just been dumped by a 'player' boyfriend. Gordy, played by Eddie is
18-19 years old while Martine, Kristen, is 15 years old. We learn a
little about both characters with more about Martine than Gordy. He
keeps on talking about being a 'Native American' and refers to being
brought up on a reservation and his father leaving him there. He seems
to have had training as a mechanic saying that he had practically
rebuilt the vintage convertible.

Martine's father is a trucker and
though he use to take her on some of his runs he now has a girlfriend
who goes with him instead. She seems lost and when she meets Brett it is
almost as if he is the father she is losing.

Brett, William Hurt, has just been released
from prison after 6 years on a man slaughter charge. The story of Brett
and May, played by Maria Bell, and their passionate love affair is told
in flashback.

Brett makes May
leave him after he is sentenced to jail and we learn about their
meeting, their falling in love , their separation and how he wound up in
jail as Brett, Martine and
Gordy head to New Orleans  as an almost family unit in search of the
missing 'mother'.

The Yellow Handkerchief is an independent film, a
little slow moving but shows how people think they can read each others
face, how they can misunderstand each other and misinterpret signals.
The acting by all, especially by Hurt and Bello, is excellent though it
takes Redmayne awhile to get
into his role. Stewart reminds me a bit of Mary Stuart Masteron, which is a high
compliment indeed, and hopefully she won't get to caught up in her
"Twilight" role and do more roles like this.

This is a movie that grows on you and has some
interesting things to say if you are willing to stick with it.