i have the privilege of see this powerful play on broadway with kathy bates in the lead . i only saw one other play in the 1970 1990 that have an emotional impact like this play do . i really looked forward to the play be make into a movie but be very disappointed when i learn that kathy bates wouldn not reprise her role in the film she wasn not well know off broadway at the time and the producer must have want star power i suppose and cast sissy spacek instead . sissy do an adequate job in the lead role but do not measure up to kathy bates in any way . i love anne bancroft but she seem too young for this role . the movie plot be true to the play . anyone who ever contemplate suicide should have to watch this movie to realize the devastation on those who be leave behind .