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Marty McFly looks at John Sayles' LIMBO
For a lot of people out there, John Sayles is one of those filmmakers that makes movies that you don't pass over. For me, any Sayles movie is on my list of must sees. LIMBO here, is Sayles' latest project. The following review is from Marty McFly who admits that he "didn't really care for" LONE STAR, the only other Sayles film he's seen. If this helps put this review in perspective for some of you... fine. But Marty does reference KEY LARGO which means he is a film lover for sure. So... hmmmmm.... What to think? I haven't seen this film, nor read the script, but from my background of following Sayles' career... I'd say, there's probably a lot more going on in this film in a subtle ULEE'S GOLD/LONE STAR sort of way. Sayles loves to have his films study cultures.... Whatever the case may be, here's Marty and his look at the film...
Marty McFly here. Tonight I caught John Sayles' new film Limbo. No
this is not a film about the people doing that dance where you try to
get under the stick. The title refers to the state of being in limbo,
or as the film says,"not quite heaven but not quite hell".
I didn't know what to expect coming into this one. I hadn't seen the
trailer and I had only seen one Sayles film before, Lone Star, which I
didn't really care for. The credits rolled and I read the names of
actors I was at least a little familiar with. Mary Elizabeth
Mastrontonio(sp?), David Strathairn, and Kris Kristofferson.
This film kind of reminded me of From Dusk Till Dawn in the way that if
you seperated the acts, you'd have two differnt movies. This film is in
three acts.
The first act plays kind of like a really boring episode of
Northern Exposure in which we are introduced to Alaskan lifestyle.
In
the second act, Mastrontonio plays a smalltime singer who breaks up with
her boyfriend and hitches a ride with Strathairn, a former fisherman
with a secret from the past. The two have an unlikely romance. She has
been through so many men before along with her estranged teenage
daughter, who also has a crush on Strathartin's character. Confused?
Not as much as I was.
Anyways, the three of them go on a boat trip with Strathairn's half
brother, who is mixed up in a drug deal and wanted dead. Their peaceful
little boat ride is interrupted when these drug dealers come aboard and
the three of them are forced to swim to shore and survive in the Alaskan
Wilderness.
In the third act,the film becomes a cross between Key Largo and The Edge
with man vs. nature. Will they be saved? Will the drug dealers kill
them? Will they starve or go crazy? This was all very intersting and
suspenseful but it made you wonder what the whole first half of the
movie was about.
The ending. Don't worry I wont ruin it, but Sayles has some balls to
end the movie like that. I mean, after seeing it, you will want to find
him and torture him until he explains why he ended the movie like that.
I was frustrated but I still loved the ending just for its audacity.
Mastrontonio was good, she even does her own singing (just in case you
cared). Strathairn, who was so good in many films like Dolores
Claiborne (which was one of the best villan performances ever in my
opinion), is again excellent in this quiet but emotional role.
Kristofferson has nothing more than a glorified cameo and whoever plays
the daughter is an incredible young actress but her name escapes me.
Its worth a look just for that ending. Man, I can't believe that!
Well, this is Marty McFly, going back to pray there will be a Back To
The Future 4 some day. It could happen. I'll see you in the future!
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I agree with Harry. Sayles is one of those filmmakers whose movies I just won't miss. Ever since I saw Matewan, I was hooked on him. Lonestar seems to have gotten better reception, but Matewan still takes the cake for me. Very powerful. Very honest. And one of the best labor films I've ever seen. It inspired me to go to the library and read up on the history of the West Virginia coal miners. And if you know the history, the story becomes even more compelling because the slaughter in Matewan was actually only a prelude to a much greater gunfight when the miners marched as an army and fought pitched battles with the National Guard. But Sayles chose the preliminary conflict to tell his story. Very powerful... I encourgae everyone to go see this movie, and all of Sayles others. He's truly a diamond in the rough...and I hope he stays that way! -CG
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Actually, there's a strong rumor that BTTF4 is in the works -- check out "http://www.bttf.com/backtalk/" for the latest developments!
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I too have been a huge John Sayles AND David Strathairn fan since Matewan. Scenes from that resonated back to me for weeks after, and I try hard not to miss any of Sayles' work, though it means driving up to 45 miles to a theater. Ah, Matewan, one of the unacknowledged classics of the eighties. And David Strathairn too.
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I don't care what the reviews are like for this movie. I will never miss a Sayles film. His films have such narrative power, he is a master of dialogue and setting. The location infuses every aspect of his writing and yet he can write for any location, 20's coal-mining town, modern day Louisiana, Mexico, Ireland. Plus you have to respect him for self-financing his projects, working within budgetary restraints, so that he can maintain his vision.
I just wish they'd get more of his stuff out on DVD. I'm dying for 8 Men Out, Lone Star, Secret of Roan Inish, and Men With Guns. -
I can't wait for LIMBO to come
out in theaters!!! Sounds like an intriging flic! The first Sayle's movie I ever saw was 8 men out. But Lone Star is by far his greatest movie and a classic in my opinion!!!
P.S I hope he works with Chris Cooper again. Kris Kristofferson is making a cameo so that should be good. -
That review for Limbo sounded like it was given by a six year-old. You've only seen Lone Star? It was the second-worst of his canon. Do yourself a favor - Have Mom take you to the video store this weekend and get the Real Sayles films - Brother From Another Planet, Matewan, Passion Fish, Eight men Out. Leave out Secret of Roan Inish and Men with Guns.
Sayles writes about people, people just like us, living just like us. No matter how basic the storyline, the characters, you know your going to be affected some way when the lights go down. Sayles is the last pure blue-collared filmmaker. Can't wait for Limbo. -
John Sayles is a absoloute genius in my book simply for Lone Star (not to mention bailing out otherwise shitty movies like Pirahna with a decent script) Lone Star is sooooo acurate in its portrayal of border life that It could have happened in my home town (outside of El Paso...Fabens if you want to get picky). The whole recurring theme of lines
is so true to life down here. Not to mention that it is just a kick ass movie all around. -
Put this one in your pipe and smoke it: Written by John Sayles, Produced by James Cameron, Directed by David Cronenberg. "Brother Termite"...coming soon! (well, not soon, but SOMEtime) Holy smokes!
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