The movie was released with little publicity and it seems to be running with a low profile in Amsterdam.
The story is about a writer Michael (Ryan Reynolds) who is about to finish his first autobiographical novel and he has come to attend the funeral of his mother Lisa's (Julia Roberts) death, who has a tormenting marriage with her husband Charles (Willem Dafoe) who is also abusive to his son Michael. The story goes back and forth with flashbacks and evolving relationship between Michael and Charles. There is a sub-plot of Michael and Lisa's sister Jane's (Emily Watson) childhood affair and Michael's relationship with Jane's son who feels isolated. In the end there is a get feel understanding between father and son. The movie ends there.
The movie is good, but could have had been great. Ryan Reynolds looks fantastic, but Willem Dafoe steals the show with the negative role of father. Julia Roberts fits well in her small cameo as mother. While Emily Watson is good.
The Director Dennis Lee has strong script and story line, but does not bring about the required finishing touch to the movie. The cinematography is excellent. The editing between current and flashback is very well handled. The movie was inspired from a poem (with the same name) written by Robert Frost and co-written by the Director Dennis Lee.
Those people who have suffered child abuse by their disciplinary fathers would surely identify with the characters and may have tender moments that may make them cry.
The movie does not become too heavy on the audience even though there are a few disturbing scenes.
(Stars 6.5 out of 10)
The story is about a writer Michael (Ryan Reynolds) who is about to finish his first autobiographical novel and he has come to attend the funeral of his mother Lisa's (Julia Roberts) death, who has a tormenting marriage with her husband Charles (Willem Dafoe) who is also abusive to his son Michael. The story goes back and forth with flashbacks and evolving relationship between Michael and Charles. There is a sub-plot of Michael and Lisa's sister Jane's (Emily Watson) childhood affair and Michael's relationship with Jane's son who feels isolated. In the end there is a get feel understanding between father and son. The movie ends there.
The movie is good, but could have had been great. Ryan Reynolds looks fantastic, but Willem Dafoe steals the show with the negative role of father. Julia Roberts fits well in her small cameo as mother. While Emily Watson is good.
The Director Dennis Lee has strong script and story line, but does not bring about the required finishing touch to the movie. The cinematography is excellent. The editing between current and flashback is very well handled. The movie was inspired from a poem (with the same name) written by Robert Frost and co-written by the Director Dennis Lee.
Those people who have suffered child abuse by their disciplinary fathers would surely identify with the characters and may have tender moments that may make them cry.
The movie does not become too heavy on the audience even though there are a few disturbing scenes.
(Stars 6.5 out of 10)