Review of Julie Johnson

Lili Taylor stars in this anything-is-possible story about a Hoboken housewife and mother of two in her late-thirties who has very little education but is actually a closet physics nut; she kicks her husband out of the house when he makes fun of her ambition, eventually becoming a computer scientist. Unreleased theatrical drama made the film festival rounds in 2002 but never picked up a distributor; when it was finally released on DVD by gay-based Here!, it was misleadingly marketed as a lesbian-themed chick-flick. Written by Bob Gosse (who also directed) and Wendy Hammond (from her play), the film has similar attributes to "Good Will Hunting", yet our protagonist is an original, appealing character. 'Ordinary' at first glance, this lady is a little naïve but also complicated, determined and hopeful. Taylor is exceptionally confident in this role and pulls off some tricky dramatic moments with grace. As her neighbor and best friend, Courtney Love is also very natural and appealing, and Spalding Gray does nice, low-key work as a teacher. The narrative tends to stumble when the writers overreach for an effect (such as a confusing early scene wherein Julie's angry son cusses out mom's friend). There is light lesbian affection between Taylor and Love, but this is handled unobtrusively in the story, without cynicism or sensationalism; more importantly, what the intimacy resolves (and what it soon leads to) is heartbreaking without being melodramatic. **1/2 from ****