Genres

Visitors Review

2012-05-25 02:19:29

An "independent" film with BIG stars - and a Bob Dylan soundtrack to boot.

I don't this "little" film played many theatres when released in 2010 but it sure has GREAT credentials and star power. Just look: We have Academy Award Winners Renee Zellweger and Forest Whitaker in the key roles, Academy Award nominee (twice!) Nick Nolte (in a brief role similar to what Jeff Bridges has been doing lately) and it was directed by French Director Olivier Dahan (who won Academy Awards for the French film "La Vie En Rose" (the Edith Piaf story). Oh yes, did I forget to mention that it includes original songs and music by Bob Dylan???With all that said, the film is really a "small quiet film". It's the story of two "friends" - one the crippled Zellweger (who used to be a singers-songwriter - with a vinyl Lp to her name!) and Whitaker - who has some mental issues (and sees angels!) and cares for - and transports Zellweger They set out on a journey to attend her (now adopted) son's Communion in New Orleans. You've seen these films before and this has a good story line though you know where it will end. The thing that makes this film "quirky"- and you'll find yourself saying "what the heck?" is that there is a small side story which involves the legendary blues singer Robert Johnson and his pact with the devil at the "Crossroads" in Mississippi and at another point, animated birds begin to appear for no reason. Those looking for Dylan's music will be frustrated as well. He sings seven songs on the soundtrack to move the action, but these are usually only one verse and a chorus, lasting less than a minute. The only full Dylan track is the nice "Life is Home" which he sings over the end credits. This is a Dylan song that Zellweger sings in a scene in the film. (She also sings Woody Guthrie's "This Land is Your Land" in a most unusual arrangement. Nolte plays guitar while Zellweger sings the Guthrie tune.So, if you are looking for something "different" - think "Independent Film", this is worth watching. I enjoyed all the acting performances. I'm still wondering about some of those ventures off the beaten track but it was 105 minutes I'm glad I spent. And, obviously, Zellweger, Whitaker, Nolte AND Dylan did this for more than just a "paycheck".The standard DVD - which I watched - has only the Trailer as a bonus. I understand the Bluray has a "making of" featurette.Steve Ramm"Anything Phonographic"

TxMike 2012-05-24 11:55:50

Unconventional road movie.

I saw this via Netflix streaming video. Written and dieted by theFrenchman who directed the superb "Edith Piaf" story (La Mome') it isset in the USA, filmed in various parts of Louisiana, and ends up inNew Orleans. The story centers on the story of Renée Zellweger as Jane Wyatt, onetime recording artist who, 7 years earlier, had become crippled andwheelchair bound as a result of an automobile accident. So she prettymuch put her life on hold.Seemingly her best friend in the small Kansas town is Forest Whitakeras the somewhat kooky Joey, who has visions of angels. He goes off thedeep end occasionally, often uses poor judgment in certain situations,but jokingly calls himself "Jane's body guard." He in fact does helpher out at times.One day Joey finds an unopened letter in Jane's house, it is from hernow 10-yr-old son, living in Baton Rouge, inviting her to his communionin July. Joey doesn't tell her about the letter, instead puts it in hispocket and sets about to get Jane to take a road trip, he wants her tosee her son. The road trip does have its share of pitfalls, the first being theircar burns up. Literally. At a motel along comes Elias Koteas as Dean,who sells them a car for $500, and it works fine, but the next morningthey awake to find it gone. Dean has cheated them.Then comes young Madeline Zima as Billie, whose young husband justseemed to take off, so she joins them in the road trip. At one stopping point they need a place to crash, hear music, and go tofind Nick Nolte as Caldwell, playing a guitar. He joins in for the roadtrip.Describing it in my feeble manner in no way does justice to the movie.It is very different, often touching, and very well acted.