"And when my mother dies, the world will be flat. Too simple, too fair, too reasonable!"
Directed by Wayne Wang, "Anywhere But Here" takes us into the world of Adele August, the carefree high school teacher who leaves her family and home behind in Wisconsin and moves to California along with her teenage daughter, Anne, in hope of a luxury life. Unlike her, Anne is not so happy about these big changes...
This movie is all about struggling - a young girl who desperately wants to leave her mother and start her own life and a single mother who takes life easier than she should but wants the best in the world. The main problem with this movie is that it never tries to show us anything more than these two women arguing, it's full of scenes that have no point other than telling us over and over that this mother and daughter cannot really stand one another. It never gives them the chance to change - by the end of the movie, Ann and Adele are still the same expect that they now argue a little less. The next, smaller problem is the presence of side characters that have no role but to highlight the flaws and misery of the lead. Benny, Ann's cousin, is just there to emphasize her sadness of being forced to leave home even more. Ted (Adele's second husband), Josh Spritzer and Jack Irwin all just show how Adele can never settle for a nice man and start a normal life. Weak screenplay and uninspired directing are to blame for these problems.
Despite the movie itself, the acting is professional and solid. Adele August - the movie wants you to hate her but Susan Sarandon handles her role with such energy and skill that you just can't. Inatead of easily portraying her as a mindless maniac, Susan puts humanity in her character. She portrays Adele as a carefree, irresponsible mother who's still in love with her daughter and is ready to do anything for her. Natalie Portman is flawless at such a young age. At just 17 and so early in her career, she's able to play such challenging character so masterfully. She doesn't let her portrayal of the wise Ann get boring or annoying by adding vulnerability and need whenever it's suitable. The chemistry between Susan and Natalie is so intense and realistic that has the ability to carry the movie on its own.
"Anywhere But Here" is a movie that is brave enough to explore the complicated world of mother-daughter relationship but fails to depict it effectively. However, the perfect performances of its lead actresses save it at most parts.
Directed by Wayne Wang, "Anywhere But Here" takes us into the world of Adele August, the carefree high school teacher who leaves her family and home behind in Wisconsin and moves to California along with her teenage daughter, Anne, in hope of a luxury life. Unlike her, Anne is not so happy about these big changes...
This movie is all about struggling - a young girl who desperately wants to leave her mother and start her own life and a single mother who takes life easier than she should but wants the best in the world. The main problem with this movie is that it never tries to show us anything more than these two women arguing, it's full of scenes that have no point other than telling us over and over that this mother and daughter cannot really stand one another. It never gives them the chance to change - by the end of the movie, Ann and Adele are still the same expect that they now argue a little less. The next, smaller problem is the presence of side characters that have no role but to highlight the flaws and misery of the lead. Benny, Ann's cousin, is just there to emphasize her sadness of being forced to leave home even more. Ted (Adele's second husband), Josh Spritzer and Jack Irwin all just show how Adele can never settle for a nice man and start a normal life. Weak screenplay and uninspired directing are to blame for these problems.
Despite the movie itself, the acting is professional and solid. Adele August - the movie wants you to hate her but Susan Sarandon handles her role with such energy and skill that you just can't. Inatead of easily portraying her as a mindless maniac, Susan puts humanity in her character. She portrays Adele as a carefree, irresponsible mother who's still in love with her daughter and is ready to do anything for her. Natalie Portman is flawless at such a young age. At just 17 and so early in her career, she's able to play such challenging character so masterfully. She doesn't let her portrayal of the wise Ann get boring or annoying by adding vulnerability and need whenever it's suitable. The chemistry between Susan and Natalie is so intense and realistic that has the ability to carry the movie on its own.
"Anywhere But Here" is a movie that is brave enough to explore the complicated world of mother-daughter relationship but fails to depict it effectively. However, the perfect performances of its lead actresses save it at most parts.