After being disappointed by NOTTING HILL and STAR WARS:THE PHANTOM MENACE(though there are good things in both), and suffering through THE GENERAL'S DAUGHTER, I really needed a good movie to lift me up again, and John Sayles' latest does the job. LIMBO is one of the best movies I've seen this year, with all the usual Sayles virtues; complex themes, intelligence, three-dimensional characters, believable dialogue, and excellent use of location. Within the first five minutes of the film, I was laughing not just at the humor(people who say Sayles is without humor are missing something) but in recognition of the real people who occupy the screen.
Sayles movies tend towards two types; his ensemble movies(RETURN OF THE SECAUCUS SEVEN, MATEWAN, EIGHT MEN OUT, CITY OF HOPE, LONE STAR) and stories which follow only a few people(LIANNA, PASSION FISH, THE SECRET OF ROAN INISH). LIMBO starts out as if it's an ensemble film, but gradually turns into the second type by narrowing its focus to just three characters; Joe(David Strathairn), the handyman with a dark past, Donna(Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio), the road-weary singer, and Noelle(Vanessa Martinez), her resentful daughter, when they get stuck in the Alaskan wild. Some may feel this is two movies in one, and two unconnected movies at that, but the key to the second is buried in the first; when a wealthy businessman hoping to lure the tourist trade talks about taking theme parks to the next step - allowing people to live through their own adventure. That is what Joe, Donna, and Noelle do, and perhaps the businessman would be surprised at the result. But maybe not.
One other hallmark of Sayles films is the performances. Strathairn is a Sayles regular, but this is the first time he's been in the starring role, and this is his best performance yet. You can see how his fatalism can be cheering in everyday life and yet discouraging when faced with desperate circumstances, and how his knowledge of survival skills comes at a price; these are skills he hoped he'd left behind after quitting fishing. It's nice to see Mastrantonio back in a lead role again, and she sings quite well too. She even gets to act while singing(watch the look on her face when Noelle walks out during her concert). But the surprise here is Martinez. This is only her second film(she played the younger version of Elizabeth Pena in LONE STAR), but she brings a complex emotional power to a stereotypical role. This is someone who truly has seen too much, and you hurt for her, especially during the diary scenes.
One last thought; the controversial ending. I can understand why some people feel it's a cheat and don't like it, and don't think any less of them. I do feel, however, it fits the movie.
Sayles movies tend towards two types; his ensemble movies(RETURN OF THE SECAUCUS SEVEN, MATEWAN, EIGHT MEN OUT, CITY OF HOPE, LONE STAR) and stories which follow only a few people(LIANNA, PASSION FISH, THE SECRET OF ROAN INISH). LIMBO starts out as if it's an ensemble film, but gradually turns into the second type by narrowing its focus to just three characters; Joe(David Strathairn), the handyman with a dark past, Donna(Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio), the road-weary singer, and Noelle(Vanessa Martinez), her resentful daughter, when they get stuck in the Alaskan wild. Some may feel this is two movies in one, and two unconnected movies at that, but the key to the second is buried in the first; when a wealthy businessman hoping to lure the tourist trade talks about taking theme parks to the next step - allowing people to live through their own adventure. That is what Joe, Donna, and Noelle do, and perhaps the businessman would be surprised at the result. But maybe not.
One other hallmark of Sayles films is the performances. Strathairn is a Sayles regular, but this is the first time he's been in the starring role, and this is his best performance yet. You can see how his fatalism can be cheering in everyday life and yet discouraging when faced with desperate circumstances, and how his knowledge of survival skills comes at a price; these are skills he hoped he'd left behind after quitting fishing. It's nice to see Mastrantonio back in a lead role again, and she sings quite well too. She even gets to act while singing(watch the look on her face when Noelle walks out during her concert). But the surprise here is Martinez. This is only her second film(she played the younger version of Elizabeth Pena in LONE STAR), but she brings a complex emotional power to a stereotypical role. This is someone who truly has seen too much, and you hurt for her, especially during the diary scenes.
One last thought; the controversial ending. I can understand why some people feel it's a cheat and don't like it, and don't think any less of them. I do feel, however, it fits the movie.