Carolyn Chute's fascinatingly complex novel Beans of Egypt, Maine was softened and simplified for this 1994 film treatment. Martha Plimpton plays Earlene Pomerleau, who resides in the Maine backwoods community of Egypt. Earlene is swept off her feet by her studdish, irresponsible neighbor Beal Bean (Patrick McGaw), the youngest member of the much-despised Bean family. She lives to regret her sexual impulsiveness, while Beal is forcefully reminded of the importance of family loyalty. Co-produced by PBS' American Playhouse, the film is a toned-down version of the rough-hewn Chute original, ending so abruptly that it seems as though someone tore out the last five script pages just before shooting started. Beans of Egypt, Maine has been released to video as Forbidden Choices.
~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide