Movies like this hang on the performances of their stars, since one unconvincing role can send an intimate character study reeling into unintended directions. No worry here — the cast, right down to the smallest parts, is excellent.

Spacek is, as usual, utterly believable as the Southern belle who wants to change but feels trapped by family and tradition, and Dwight Schultz as her husband is suitably pitiable. Ving Rhames is rings true as Odessa's husband, and the children on both sides are very natural.

But it is Whoopi Goldberg who shines here, and after her string of action pictures, the disappointing "Clara's Heart" and the ultra-popular but wildly uneven "Ghost," it's nice to see her in a movie that works on nearly every level, giving her an opportunity to show what a fine actress she really is.

This is arguably her best, most successfully sustained film since "The Color Purple" — and she certainly should have received a best actress Oscar nomination for "The Long Walk Home" instead of a supporting nomination for "Ghost."

"The Long Walk Home" is rated PG for some violence.