Ed's Review Dot Com

Condé Nast, Endgame Entertainment, Identity Films (I),

Robert Redford, Casey Affleck, Danny Glover, Tika Sumpter, Isiah Whitlock Jr., John David Washington, Tom Waits, Sissy Spacek, Elisabeth Moss, Keith Carradine, Jordan Trovillion, Augustine Frizzell, Robert Longstreet, Patrick Newall, Kevin McClatchy, Gene Jones, Barlow Jacobs, J. Todd Anderson, Warren Bryson

This is supposedly the true story of Forrest Tucker (Robert Redford) and his outstanding escape from San Quentin at age 70. He was a robber, and had a great time confusing the heck out of authorities including detective John Hunt (Casey Affleck) and the general public who was supposedly entertained by his antics. Along the way, he met Jewel (Sissy Spacek) who loved him in spite of his tendency to rob people.

It’s rare that I neither love nor hate a movie. This one left me yawning and I just could not get into or care about anyone in this film. I am not sure what has happened with Bob Redford, but may his politics have gotten him so far out of the mainstream that he can’t determine what is an interesting role anymore. It seems everything he’s been in lately has been extremely bland. This story just didn’t grab me in the least, and i felt tortured sitting though this clunker. Forrest Tucker, if this is a true story, must have been an ass, that’s for sure, and I don’t ever recall Sissy Spacek playing a character that was so devoid of any kind of feelings at all. All in all, this movie just left me bored to tears, and i wouldn’t recommend it. Save yourself some time, and just skip this one!

EdG – EdsReview Dot Com – A Movie Review Blog

Identity Films (I), Wind Dancer Productions,

Claire Danes, James Marsden, Thomas Mann, Sarah Bolger, Jeremy Sisto, Anika Noni Rose, Peter Fonda, Rhys Coiro, Alanis Morissette, Mario Batali, Jon Tenney

Lucy (Sarah Bolger) is a bit of a tomboy, having trouble with her parents and not really happy with life. Her Mom, Lainee (Claire Danes) is cheating on her never home Dad (James Marsden) and it’s clear that in this family Lucy is the grown up one. Furious with her mother, and aching for some attention from her father, Lucy is coming of age, and learning about boys while trying to be the parent in a struggling and collapsing family.

This movie caught me off guard. I wasn’t expecting much, and this 2013 film was lounging away in my queue when I notice this film airing on Showtime, so I watched it. I wasn’t expectng much, but to my surprise it was a really decent little movie. Granted Claire Danes was a bit wimpy, but I think she played it pretty well considering her character had a baby when she was very young, and was forced into growing up too quick. Wanting the best for her daughter, she tries very hard, but just isn’t grown up herself. Sarah Bolger, on the other hand, runs away with this film. She is really the star here, and does a wonderful “Juno-ish” type interpretation of the 16 year old trying to figure it all out. She truly makes this film worth checking out. There is a lot of heart in this movie, and a touch of really funny humor, and it’s share of tragedy. All in all, for a small film about a struggling family, this is not at all bad, and well worth catching should you find the opportunity. More of a LifeTime style movie, but that’s not bad in this case. It’s a well done little movie that you will probably enjoy.

EdG – EdsReview Dot Com – A Movie Review Blog