Moonlight Mile (2002) User Reviews

Great acting is enough

[rbverhoef · 7/10 · 31 May 2004]

This is a very well acted movie that deals with a sudden loss in a family in a better way than I would expect. The movie avoids the usual clichés and through some very strong performances shows us how it could really be. The dead person is the daughter of Ben (Dustin Hoffman) and Jojo (Susan Sarandon), her fiancé named Joe (Jake Gyllenhaal) is now living with them. The girl was murdered, simply because she was in the wrong place at the wrong time. Now Ben and Joe go into business together and the all try to live on in their own ways. Joe befriends a girl named Bertie Knox (Ellen Pompeo) who also has lost someone.

Like I said the subject is handled in a very good way. May be the movie makes some easy choices, especially near the end, but the acting is so good and real here that the movie is easily forgiven. Gyllenhaal plays the same kind of part as he did in 'Donnie Darko' and 'The Good Girl', not the most happy one. He has the best single scene, although overall veterans Hoffman and Sarandon are as good as he is. The best thing though is Ellen Pompeo. Her character has a certain sweetness and nice way of dealing with things and Pompeo finds the perfect note for playing this part. See it for the acting and you will find a lot more.

An underrated masterpiece.

[us3 · 8/10 · 15 January 2006]

"Moonlight Mile" is one of the most beautiful films ever to be made. Highlighted by phenomenal performances by Hoffman, Sarandon and Hunter, the film is truly inspiring, despite some overly-sentimental moments.

Brad Silberling has created an amazing piece of film. The story starts out quite shakily, but manages to quickly find its feet and, thus, saves itself from being another overly-indulgent, kitchy movie. Some might battle with "Moonlight Mile"'s pace, as the film takes its time in developing its characters. However, the film is character-driven and these developments are fundamental to the film's progression.

Holly Hunter's performance is Oscar worthy, even though her role is quite small. Judi Dench won an Oscar for her 8 minute performance in "Shakespeare in love" and I see no reason why Hunter should not have been nominated. Amongst a cast of film legends, Jake Gyllenhaal holds his ground. It is obvious that he has had less experience in the acting field, but his performance is still great. Gyllenhaal's climatic monologue near the end of the film will give you goosebumps. It is the best part of the film and in my opinion one of the best scenes in cinema history.

In a film about one of the most life-changing, traumatic experiences one can endure, subtlety rules. Little things drive the film and the characters in the film begin to appreciate the smaller things in life. And that's what makes the film so beautiful and so real. The subtlety of the comedy and romance is what makes the drama that much more bearable - which brings us back to the films central theme: coming to terms with loss and trying to move on from it. These beautiful little moments are what make the film.

One might have mistaken "Moonlight Mile" for a Cameron Crowe film as music plays a vital part. The film's music is as evocative as the action on screen and the film's epic moments are emphasised by the films perfectly fitted music.

This film has been overlooked and underrated, and should have received more credit. Silberling has crafted an outstanding piece of cinema, which is rich with emotion and evocatively inspiring. Some cynics may find the film too sentimental and will claim they predicted the entire movie, but if one is able to ignore the odd mushy moment (there's one or two), "Moonlight Mile" is a cinematic triumph. Treat yourself to this amazing film!

Good acting saves this

[q-taran · 7/10 · 1 January 2005]

True, this movie is not for everyone. It is not for action junkies and it isn't that exciting as dramas go. But the excellent acting by the three main leads will hold your attention, if you let yourself get into it.

Dustin Hoffman is completely believable as the dad whose hopes and dreams have vanished with his daughter and he struggles to hold on to them in a state of denial. Susan Sarandon's character has accepted the fact and turns away from friends' sympathy. And as the fiancée in a slight state of paralysis from numbness, Jake Gyllenhaal proves he can play more than disturbed teen. The girl's parents try to hold onto him as their last hope of clinging to their daughter. Joe (Gyllenhaal) doesn't want to hurt them by leaving, but has to find his own path now.

The actors keep the movie going for longer than expected. Even though by the end you're glad it's over, it'll stick in your mind. It's the kind of movie you only see once, or else you'll get sick of it. But the one time will be enough for you to appreciate its quiet despair and hope.

Great performances highlight Moonlight Mile.

[Li-1 · 12 April 2003]

*** out of ****

While not quite a great movie (it just barely misses the mark), Moonlight Mile is still an excellent drama that showcases some of the finest acting talent around, wrapped amidst a beautifully told story of a young man (Jake Gyllenhaal) who's trying to do what everyone expects out of him, but against the desire of following his own heart.

Moonlight Mile plays as a cathartic experience. The premise bears truth to it, as it parallels writer/director Brad Siberling's own real-life experience when his girlfriend was murdered by an obsessive fan. But most importantly, almost every part of this movie feels natural in its emotions and storytelling, not the result of some sentimental hackjob put together by a big studio. Siberling's intent is to portray a normal family dealing with life, loss, and love and whatever obstacles may come their way and he does a fine job of it.

There are moments Moonlight Mile doesn't entirely ring true, but those moments are glossed over by the acting. From Gyllenhaal to Ellen Pompeo to Dustin Hoffman and Susan Sarandon, the cast is uniformly superb. Even though the climax is set in a courtroom (typically the setting for cliche hell in dramas), Gyllenhaal's emotional outpour makes the scene work almost magnificently.

An admittedly very irksome element of the film is the score, which is yet again another rip-off of the music to American Beauty. Moonlight Mile's straightforward, honest approach doesn't match the quirky tone of the score, resulting in a few off-kilter moments of balance. But otherwise, this is a first-rate, truthful drama, and certainly superior to the overrated and similary themed In the Bedroom.

quietly suffering family

[SnoopyStyle · 6/10 · 27 February 2015]

Waitress Diana Floss was killed by a husband who came to the diner to kill his wife. Mona Camp (Holly Hunter) is the prosecutor. Diana's fiancé Joe Nast (Jake Gyllenhaal) is staying with her parents Ben (Dustin Hoffman) and Jojo (Susan Sarandon) who still treats him as their own son. He feels obligated to stay which includes going along with Ben's plan of him being in the family commercial realty business. He falls for Bertie Knox (Ellen Pompeo) but they both have secrets of their own.

It's a movie about a lot of suffering but mostly done quietly. Everybody is getting crushed but nobody is particularly interested to admit it. It has the air of truth. However it isn't able to squeeze emotions out of the audience. We get to witness their suffering without really feeling it. Most of the performances are great. Gyllenhaal does a terrific job bringing life to the emotional dialog which could have gone another way.

A lovely mix of everything!

[carr-6 · 7/10 · 9 April 2008]

I would give it a 7.5 out of 10.

There is so much not to like about this movie - Susan Sarandon overdoes the cool mom bit, they use each others' names all the time, Dustin Hoffman shuffles about like Rainman in several scenes, the love story is rather improbable, the ending too perfectly happy happy, Jake tends to have one expression through the whole movie and you don't realise it is in the 70's until they start talking about Vietnam. It also bothered me for some reason that Jake wore the same pants throughout.

BUT I loved it loved it loved it. It is funny, sad, happy and has so many great actors in it (plus animals). The soundtrack is fantastic. Jake has the funny scene at the table and the serious scene in court - must have been a dream role to play. Jake has really been good about varying his roles which must be hard when you fit the stereotypical young hunk role. I think the dancing scene and the love scene are absolutely beautiful and show affection and the need for affection more than sex which is rare - the music is perfectly matched to both these scenes. I am glad they chose a plainer, quirkier leading lady - Ellen Pompeo does it amazingly well (though watching her in Grey's she always seems to play the same character). She is 11 years older than Jake though and he seemed like a teenager in the movie so I was confused as to whether she was supposed to be so much older in the movie.

It is not the best movie I have ever seen but it was way way better than I thought it would be and I was surprised that it sank without a trace at the time.

Not Emotional Olympics

[cmann-11 · 7/10 · 13 May 2007]

Moonlight Mile is a gentle unhurried story of love, loss,death, guilt and cowardice,manipulation,betrayal,faith and hope 'Emotional Olympics' it could have been but was saved by thoughtful portrayals from all the characters.I loved the barman ! Jake G is the young man who has lost his fiancé to murder though they had just called off their engagement prior to her death The victim's parents unaware of this, embrace Jake as their son in law make a place for him at work and home sleeping in girlfriend's which fuels his agony. Ellen Pompeo depicts the lovely postal clerk who brings relief humour and new love just at the right time (very Grey's Anatomy) They meet when he is asked by Hoffman to go to the PO and collect wedding invitations ready for dispatch. I enjoyed the honest grief bitchy anger of author mother Susan Sarandon ripping the phone off the wall and snarling at those creepy well meaning folk whose condolences are empty words. Dustin Hoffman is a brewing volcano passive aggressive people pleasing pain just holding it together It finally takes the court case for Jake to come clean and be true to the memory of his lost love and tell it how it is Not overtly 70s though Vietnam War is referenced Did anybody else love the barman? Hollywood with the speedy hookup soon after the funeral and happy ever after ending Good soundtrack Holly Hunter is sharp as the lawyer Dabney Coleman is the manipulative property shark Standout performance by Nixon the dog his projectile vomit tops ! For other movies check out the short LIVSHJULET (circle of life) stunning in it's simplicity also ELSER DIG FOR EVIGT which is realistic and heartrending Moonlight Mile is worthwhile viewing 7/10 Cathy Cromwell, New Zealand

Susan Sarandon a knockout in this performance.

[wisewebwoman · 7/10 · 29 September 2002]

She adds total believability as the mother of the murdered daughter. ***Minor spoilers***There was loads to like in this movie, but Jake Gyllenhaal's performance was not one of them, unfortunately. His likeness to Tobey Maguire distracts me and also there was not much to his dialogue in this, he sat, reacted and stared emotionally a lot, which I have seen him do in other movies. Maybe he just has a one note performance that he totes around from movie to movie. He has one brilliant scene however, and this one is not the one in the courtroom that some reviewers loved. This is a scene at a dinner party and it is beautifully scripted and timed. Dustin Hoffman was very good in his role and I really liked how everything was so beautifully understated. Dabney Coleman in a small role was wonderful. I also loved how the compassion and need between Joe and Bertie was managed but I did not like the resolution at the end, I felt cheated. How many words had Bertie and Joe exchanged to make the possibility of a relationship credible ? The lust I can understand, the shared grief also, but "a drop everything and take off together" ending was the easy way out for the script writer for it seems that is what we demand in our movies today. 7 out of 10

Fantastic film with even more fantastic acting!!!

[luce_857 · 10/10 · 3 June 2005]

This film is perfect if your looking for a good cry but with some humorous bits too, in fact this films got everything you want in a drama, joy, sadness, hope, fear the lot. OK this movie is not for everyone some people are bound to find it really boring and a bit of a drag so if you into all action and full of energy kind of films then I would advise you not to even consider this but to all the people who are into dramas or Jake Gyllenhaal then I would recommend this movie 100%. The acting is truly amazing, they are all really believable as the roles they are playing. Dustin Hoffman and Susan Sarandon as the parents of their murdered daughter, Ben and Jo Jo, clinging on to her fiancée as they feel he is a big part of her and don't want to see him leave them too, while Jake Gyllenhaal as the part of Joe the nearly son-and -law to Ben and Jo,Jo, who tries to be perfect for them and be everything he wants them to be despite what he wants..which he really doesn't even know..he's confused..doesn't know what he wants to do in life. As he said, "I want to figure out what I want to do".

This film is truly beautiful and shows deep emotion that isn't in any way corny.A film that I think is very underrated.To be honest I saw it for Jake Gyllenhaal but after seeing it it is now one of my favourite Jake films.

I loved it!

Some very good actors in a very depressing story...based, in part, on a real life tragedy.

[planktonrules · 7/10 · 17 September 2021]

"Moonlight Mile" is a film inspired by the murder of Rebecca Schaeffer...but only broadly. This is because the director/writer Brad Silberling had been dating Schaeffer when she died and like the character played by Jake Gyllenhaal, he lived for a time with her parents following this death.

When the story begins, you might find it confusing. Joe's girlfriend had been killed....though this isn't obvious and when you find out, exactly how seems pretty vague as well. What is clear is that Joe (Gyllenhaal) is living with her parents (Dustin Hoffman and Susan Sarandon) and he seems like he's simply going about his life in order to make them happy...sort of like a substitute for his dead fiancee. What's next? See the film.

Considering the film is about a family and boyfriend responding to the the brutal murder of a girl, it obviously is NOT a fun movie to watch. But the performances are very good and the film is unique....reasons to possibly watch it. Well made...and rather unpleasant...though fortunately the film is NOT violent and doesn't show any violence.

Good Idea, Bad Misfire

[samkan · 5/10 · 7 February 2009]

The premise is a good idea for a dark comedy with a minimal amount of drama, moralizing, etc. Bit of a stretch to have grieving parents so embrace an "almost" son-in-law. Bad casting: Hoffman's too heavy, Jake G. walks around in a stupor. Sarandon and Pompeo shine though again, they're given too much heavy drama wherein their funny banter is more appealing.

MM gives new definition to the term "sinks under its own weight". Whatever the makers intended, toward the end, the cat is out of the bag about Jake and Diane's breakup so the only conflict is her parents inability to accept Diane's death. Jake's affair is interesting but too convoluted to have suspense, although Pompeo's appearances are bright spots throughout the film.

In a nutshell, MM should've been a comedy - albeit a morose one. Its descent into drama makes the circumstances unbelievable. I'm a lawyer who does some criminal defense who's long since learned to cut courtroom scenes some license. Not this time. Jake/Joe would've never made it to the stand: His "loss" is for the penalty phase as he knows nothing about the crime. Even a bad judge would've cut off his ridiculous "sermon" on the stand, poorly delivered anyway.

NOTE: I'd thought "moonlight mile" was a metaphor like "primrose path", low road", etc. MM features the Stones song of the same title. Great song. But what's "moonlight mile", the song or the meaning of the words, got to do with the story?

Surprisingly good indie with an amazing cast

[Travis_Bickle01 · 8/10 · 4 July 2005]

When I first started watching this movie I was a bit confused. I had expected some drama and romance, but instead it looked like a comedy! But when I kept watching, I realised I was wrong, although I have to admit that the first half an hour is rather comedy than drama.

Anyway, "Moonlight Mile" is highly enjoyable. What exactly makes this movie so great? It's the acting. The cast is outstanding. Susan Sarandon and Dustin Hoffman are truly amazing as always. Jake Gyllenhaal, who we know from "Donnie Darko", was excellent as well. But, like I already said, Hoffman and Sarandon are the true stars in this one. They were both so funny from time to time! "Moonlight Mile" is definitely worth watching! A true indie with great performances!

8/10

Good drama

[preppy-3 · 7/10 · 8 October 2002]

A New England family deals with grief. Ben Floss (Dustin Hoffman) and wife JoJos (Susan Sarandon) only child--a daughter--was accidentally shot to death before she was to marry Joe Nast (Jake Gyllenhaal). Nast stays with the parents to help them through their mourning but he's harboring a deep secret himself. He also falls in love with a local girl (Renee Zellwegeer look alike Ellen Pompeo).

Nothing new here script wise but it is well-written and always interesting. There are a lot of nice little touches--Gyllennaal keeps passing by a photo store with wedding pics in the window and every TV seems to be playing "The Newlywed Game" or the "Dating Game". The acting is just superb--Hoffman and Sarandon are (as always) excellent and Gyllenhaal is just great as the wounded boyfriend. He conveys all his emotions and feelings through his big brown eyes and body language.

The film was beautifully shot in (I believe) Northampton MA. Only complaint--this takes place in 1972 but nobody says or mentions it--it took me half the movie to figure it out!

"In the Bedroom" + "Ordinary People" + "American Beauty" = derivative mess

[jt1999 · 1/10 · 20 July 2003]

This is one of those crappy soap opera/T.V. movies from a television director, Brad Silberling, who hasn't quite figured out what a feature film is -- or should be. It's distinguished by trivial, cliched, daytime serial dialogue, a nauseatingly trite, maudlin story, unlikable, unattractive lead characters, an inconclusive, unsatisfying ending and a score lifted directly from "American Beauty."

It also features constantly ringing rotary phones that no one decides to answer for at least four to five rings (is this to tell us the story is set in another decade, and if so, why?) But worst of all, the film suffers from "name-calling syndrome," that is, characters who know each other constantly and annoyingly use each other's names in normal conversation --just to make sure we don't ever confuse any of this with reality. Here's an example:

Ben: "So, what do you think, Joe?" Joe: "I'm not really sure, Ben."

That type of crap. Straight out of a soap opera, or a stage play. Just for a little variety, sometimes the names come at the beginning of a line, like this:

JoJo: "Oh, Ben, stop acting like that!" Ben: "Jo, what are you talking about?"

Maybe the idea is to keep reminding the audience who's who, to make sure we never forget their names (God knows we wouldn't be able to follow the story without that crucial information). But all this technique really does, of course, is keep telling the audience, over and over again, "it's only a movie, it isn't real."

Because in real life, people who know each other almost never use each other's names -- not unless they're calling out to get each other's attention, or want to kill each other, or both.

This film doesn't rival the top offenders in this category, thank God -- the worst being "American Buffalo" (which made me run screaming from the theater after about fifteen minutes) and "Wonder Boys," both of which achieved a false, theatrical quality strictly because of this annoying tendency. "American Buffalo" is based on a play, so one can see how it suffered from not being properly adapted, but "Wonder Boys," taken from a novel, has absolutely no excuse.

Neither does this p*** poor film. Sorry, Brad. Maybe it's time to go back to T.V.

So close, but...

[onlycurious · 19 July 2003]

How I wish I could pin this one on the director. Of late, I've been particularly peeved with "directorial artsiness", manifested by music playing over dialog, backlighted scenes, hand-held cameras, etc. It didn't happen in Moonlight Mile. And the acting was superb -- certainly to be expected with three Oscar winners, a bright up-and-coming young man, and a shining new ingenue. But, it dragged. Oh, my, how it dragged. Scenes that looked as though film had been purchased wholesale; painfully unscripted silences; sequences that appeared more "stills" than "movies. Is the director at fault? Perhaps...but can you really blame the director? Because, in this case, the director also WROTE the screenplay! In other words, he apparently WANTED it that way. So, what can I say...except that I will carefully avoid any further efforts on which Mr. Silberling writes, directs...and produces. Unless I need a sleeping potion, accompanied by skilled but wasted actors.

Some Truly Interesting Moments in a Conventional Hollywood Drama

[star80 · 7/10 · 28 September 2002]

This movie is a highly conventional Hollywood drama, complete with carefully placed beauty shots and touchy-feely Mark Isham music. But writer/director Silberling consistently overcomes the cliches of his own picture by finding truly original moments through the subtle glances and gestures of his fine actors, and nice small touches of the world around them.

Jake Gyllenhaal is quietly brilliant, inhabiting the space of his grieving and frustrated character with an assurance and maturity that wasn't guaranteed from his earlier performances--a big step forward for him as an actor. And Susan Sarandon is sharp as hell in her best role in years--Hoffman has the most difficult task, portraying a man who is completely submerged in denial, but he serves the film well and handles the inevitable Big Moments late in the narrative with the class and skill you'd expect.

This movie has some genuinely original points of view about the reality of losing a loved one, and the complexity of human emotion: especially how that complexity is usually at odds with how we're expected to behave in such situations.

There is a tortured romance with Gyllenhaal's character that is cliched to begin with, and nearly altogether bungled by the writing. Unfortunately, this part is central to the story, so you're stuck with scenes that seem like a cross between Adrian Lyne sex-drama and an episode of The Wonder Years. This story string also leads > to an ending that will likely be far too neatly tied for many discerning filmgoers, as it was for me.

But when the movie sticks to the messy yet electric triangle of the dead girl's parents and her fiancee, it's really something. Unless you simply can't abide by a movie that's unapologetic about its mainstream Hollywood nature, excellent performances, consistently interesting touches in the writing, striking photography, and more than a few original ideas make this movie worth a look.

excellent heartfelt film worth checking out

[Roswell · 7/10 · 10 April 2002]

It's very rare that I vote on the IMDB for a movie and it's even rarer that I write comments for one. I see as many movies as possible - this is quite a lot - and reviewing them all would be both pretentious and incredibly time consuming. Still, I am very critical of what I see, most of which I would summarize as being horrible. Once in a while though, I'll see a movie that compels me to sit down and share my views, and this film is definitely one of them.

I had the privilege of screening this film in a pre-release answer print state. Not all of the aspects were finalized. Nevertheless, this movie, which at the time I am writing this apparently doesn't have an official title, was heartfelt, engaging, well made, and most of all, very entertaining.

I highly recommend this movie to filmgoers who are tired of the typical Hollywood schlock we see again and again and again. I am surprised and dumbfounded that this picture was even produced because it is so original and thoughtful and like nothing I've seen before.

Is it the best film ever made? No. Did it make a profound difference in my life? No. But it did remind me why people make films; that some of us in Hollywood are, in fact, creative; and that once in a great while, filmmaking is art.

This one will warm your heart...

[Justin Harris · 7/10 · 1 October 2002]

I heard about the movie when searching this site for more films with Jake Gyllenhaal (Donnie Darko, October Sky). I don't really fancy to romance movies (chick flicks), but after viewing the trailer I couldn't wait for the film to be released and was lucky enough to be in an area where it was playing. MOONLIGHT MILE is a very touching, original piece of work from writer/director Brad Silberling (City of Angels) and what makes it more emotional is the fact that it's based around his own feelings of dealing with the death of Rebecca Schaeffer. Dustin Hoffman and Susan Sarando are, of course excellent in their performances. Jake Gyllenhaal shines again in his role as the grieving fiancée. I highly recommend this touching tale to everyone.

I give it a 7 out of 10 (good).

And while I'm not one to really bash other people's thoughts on the movie, I was very disappointed to read a quick review by "genius-15" who stated the movie as a "useless tearjerker" and that Hollywood shouldn't make this kind of crap because of the grieving families of America. The thing that upset me about this review is the fact that it was completely obvious that "genius-15" only saw the theatrical trailer and not the film. The person probably has issues with the tragedy that happened on Sept. 11, but should one take it out on a movie trailer? Well, just thought I'd bring that point out there.

Good performances can't save it

[BamaEd · 6/10 · 5 June 2006]

I really wanted to like this movie. I just rented it on Netflix because I thought the story was interesting and the performers were good. I wanted to see a pre-Grey's Ellen Pompeo as well.

Well, Hoffman and Sarandon were fantastic, as expected. Pompeo was quite a revelation. All 3 brought life and depth to their roles. Holly Hunter was very good in her few scenes as well.

But there were some problems. Jake Gyllenhaal didn't bring as much life to his role. Part of it may have been the way it was written. His character seemed more more internal than the others. But also, he just looked too young up against Ellen Pompeo. Jake has a young face, or at least he did then. He looked still in high school or early college.

But the biggest problem was the script. It seemed to want to make too many grand statements about life and death and such. At times, it was too wordy.

Decent enough movie overall, but the whole is less than the sum of its parts.

Charming and engaging, NOT for weak-minded action nuts.

[dragonfixer · 9/10 · 22 May 2004]

This movie was a surprise to me. Tuned it in on HBO and enjoyed the entire movie, laughing out loud at several surprise parts. The characters run the gamut of emotions, and those who did not enjoy this movie never took the time to gauge the feelings of the characters involved. Ellen Pompeo's character is fabulous, Dustin Hoffman's whole demeanor shows a father's grief, but in his own way.

I highly recommend this movie to those who take a little time to read the characters, and who don't expect the director and writer to spell it all out for them.

Enjoy!

A good movie.

[=G= · 7/10 · 12 March 2003]

"Moonlight Mile" is a by-the-book drama which tells of a handful of grieving people in a small New England town circa 1966 though the location, the time, and the title have nothing to do with anything of import to the film. The film has a big upside including a stellar cast registering good performances, lots of 60's pop music, good technicals and art, and a clear vision and sense of direction. The downside, however, is the film is just too pat. The histrionics are a tad too obvious, the characters are a tad too glib, the situations a tad too contrived, and the conclusion a tad too neat. "Moonlight Mile" is by anyone's standards a good film but similarly there is no way it deserves the four stars Ebert gave it or the disproportionate numbers of perfect 10's registered on this website. How much you enjoy this film will simply depend on your taste in film and what you expect from a drama. There's lots to like, little to fault, so keep expectations real and enjoy. (B)

Ouch, Ouch, Ouch

[pyewacket · 1/10 · 3 October 2002]

One of the really bad films of the year. It would be tempting to blame it on writer/director Brad Silberling, but no one in this film acquits him or herself admirably. Susan Sarandon struggles to bring her usual fiery passion to a

dully-written part, Dustin Hoffman looks great but is otherwise a bore, and

Jake Gyllenhaal comes across as an annoying Tobey Maguire clone, but

even more annoying than Tobey.

The nadir? Possibly this line from Sarandon: "You've given us all a big

truth enema." Yeah, there's eloquence for you! Gyllenhaal whines his way

through an unbelievably bad courtroom scene that provokes a desire to

smack him one, and Holly Hunter looks embarrassed as a district attorney.

A low mark for all concerned.

Epitome of the term "Gem"

[tbjazzcat-871-971007 · 8/10 · 15 October 2010]

An all-star cast give stand-up performances in this small-screen beauty. Hoffman, Sarandon and Hunter live up to their billing. Gyllenhaal and Pompeo spread their dramatic wings, especially when facial expression and body language must carry the scene -- the art of "tacit" acting lost on so many of today's young actors. The script provides plenty of elbow room for subtle humor and innuendo. The sound track provides a richness to the film's "Indie" ambiance. Like any good dramatic work, there's a lot working "beneath the surface" in this film -- it becomes more profound and is better appreciated with subsequent viewings. This is "keeper" DVD for your movie collection.

Darkness in Massachusetts.

[jotix100 · 6/10 · 30 October 2002]

This film directed by Brad Silberling is based on a true story. I would imagine that Joe Nast is based on Mr. Silberling himself. The only thing he should thank his lucky stars is that he never 'inherited' the Flosses as his in-laws.

These two are beyond belief. Granted, no one grieves the same, but the mother, as played by Susan Sarandon, takes the cake in showing no feeling whatsoever throughout the film.

How about the father?. He is so consumed in the real estate deal that finally goes astray that obviously he doesn't have a moment to reflect on his terrible loss.

Are these people Jewish? The act as though they're in the wrong film. It appeared to me they were confused and thought they had been cast in a remake of Ordinary People. Ms. Sarandon makes Mary Tyler Moore's role in the latter film appears almost human.

The biggest problem I encountered here is the boyfriend. He is totally dishonest by not coming up clean to the people that obviously, still thought their daughter was going to marry this loser. I have admired Jake Gyllenhaal in other roles, but in this film, maybe because of the direction, he doesn't strike the right tone.

The film left me completely cold. I had no feeling toward what's presented on screen, contrary to what others have said in this forum.

Mediocre at best....

[JennyMenny · 4/10 · 24 October 2004]

There might be some spoilers herein... so beware.

Well, I am watching the end of this movie on DVD. I am thrilled that I did not pay to see this film. The DVD was free, thank God. As I sit here and count the minutes until the end of this wretched film, I had to comment on how disappointing this film was. Indeed, an all-star cast does little to give hope to this less than mediocre story.

First of all, I have to say it, I really do not like Dustin Hoffman. I don't know what it is, but I just do not find him entertaining. I just do not enjoy his performance. He seems to lack articulation or something that just flat out turns me off.

Anyways, Susan Sarandon is a waste in this film. Normally, I thoroughly enjoy most of her movies, but this is just boring. Her character is too odd and unaffected to draw any sympathy and without that, I could care less about her.

Holly Hunter is horribly miscast in this film. The movie is set in the 1970s, right? What decade is she supposed to be in? The hard-ass D.A. portrayal falls flat.

Jake Gyllenhaal's character is pathetic. I don't care if they broke it off before the fiancée died, you would be more upset about the senseless murder of your "great friend," as he labeled her. Also, could he not wait a short while before he decided to get together with the strange postal worker girl? He is living with his dead fiancée's parents, sneaking out at night like a teenager. I don't know if the filmmakers tried to portray some kind of struggle in that he found someone he did want to be with, but they failed miserably. The wide-eyed puppy look doesn't come even remotely close to a decent performance. I honestly can say that I found him more interesting in the Day After Tomorrow than in this film.

The parents hate each other, joined together only to get through this, even though they fight terribly. There is no cohesion in this film, no purpose.

And the scene in the courtroom when he 'confesses' because Diana would want him to be honest. COME ON!!!!!! Worthless. I'm sorry but the whole secret of them breaking it off was not that dramatic, or at least it was not conveyed well enough to make the movie worth watching.

The music is better than average, but not enough to save the picture.

In short, this was a waste of my time. I am glad that I watched it at 2am on Saturday night while I did other things. It did not command my attention. It did not capture my interest.

If you are bored one night, I guess you could leave it on while you do something else. Otherwise, don't waste your time.

1 out of 4 stars