Rating: 
Summary: The mother/daughter dynamic explored
Review: This film delves into a number of issues and does a great job at not overemphasizing any one. The director does a credible job of looking at multiple aspects of the relationship from diverse perspectives. What I particularly enjoyed about the film is the examination of the mother's need to direct and control the daughter's interests and perspectives. A situation that unfortunately is all too prevalent in families around the globe. Not being a parent myself I firmly believe that the parents role is primarily to set guidelines and general principles for the child to follow that will lend themselves to positive outcomes regardless of the particular situation that the child may find themself. The parent should offer guidance and suggestion to the child rather than dictating edicts that may not be suited to the child's character or aspirations. Obviously i'm referring more to older children rather than younger. Although it is apparent that Susan Sarandon's character has her daughter's best interest at heart what she and many other parents like her don't realize is that the child's interests are not necessarily being served by the parents actions. The parent has a responsibility to the child and not vice versa. However this film adeptly demonstrates that children are often unaware of how much concern, worry, and love that a parent has for a child. The scene at the airport comes to mind. It was important for Natalie Portman's character to see how frantic her mother got when she was unable to find her child. I also found it somewhat reprehensible that Susan Sarandon would leave the stable environment that she had albeit an unsatisfying one in lieu of the freewheeling throw caution to the wind adventure that she embarked upon. She was clearly putting her own desires above that of her daughters best interest. Unfortunately Susan Sarandan's character is all too emblematic of many parents attitudes in contemporary society. She like too many other real life parents is still immature rather than being an adult. Sacrifices have to be made especially when someone else who you were responsible for bringing into the world is depending on you for their physical, financial, and emotional well being. That's part of what being mature means. Although I had (some) sympathy for the mother the angst and uncertainty that the daughter experiences warrants considerable sympathy and supercedes any concerns for the mothers well being. Both actresses are fantastic. And the film paints a not too pleasant picture of what single parenthood means to all of the participants. A fine work
Rating:
Summary: Everything In Here!
Review: One day I sat down in front of the TV, in a bored state, and started to watch a movie. I had no clue what it was until I saw the cresits flashing Susan Sarandon, and Natalie Portman. I immediatly knew that it was Anywhere But Here. My cousin had told me about how she had seen it, and loved it, but I didn't think that it was really my type of movie, so I was about to change it, but thought I would humor her, and listen to what she had to say for once. I was blown away by the wonderful performances, great scenery, and almost everything! The Story is about a girl named Ann (Portman) and her wacky mother (Sarandon) who looks like her hair color is a combination of cheese wiz, and flaming orange balls of fire. It centers around Ann's life, and having to deal with her mad cap mother. Portman and Sarandon give such great performances that you really do feel genuinly sorry for both of them. This is not just another tear jerker movie that ends up in some shallow ending. It has a great story, good performances, and everything to make a peachy movie. I say rent this, buy it, do anything you want, as long as you watch this movie!
Rating:
Summary: I am Adele
Review: This movie totally opened my eyes. I have watched it two more times and am becoming more and more humbled each time I see it. I drive the old Mercedes, I carry the fake Chanel purse, I hang out at trendy restaurants, I send my kids to private school (even though I cant afford it), I wear the fake jewelry and say it's real, I am very interested in men who are Dr's, Lawyers, business owners, I ask questions that are out of my league (for example: Adele and Ann go to a posh Bev Hills hotel when they get there....Adele asks what the rate is....$1200 a nite...She then asks, "Do you have any suites? No? That's too bad." The next scene is them pulling into a roach motel) My daughter hates me. Why? Her friends all have credit cards and money in their pocket. I cant afford to go to McDonalds some nites. I see how foolish I am. I have brought this on myself. At least I didnt move to Bev Hills!
Rating: 
Summary: Pretty good movie, but it drags a little
Review: Everybody did a good job in this movie. The storyline was very nice and it teaches many lessons. The only weakness is that it drags a little a some points. They could have sped it up a lot and it would have been better. The plot is nothing original. It's been done dozens of times, so it's very hard to make it seem unique. This movie does have a uniqueness, mostly in the contrasting personalities of the two stars. A twice-divorced, flamboyant, middle-aged mother (Susan Sarandon) moves with her unwilling teenage daughter (Natalie Portman) from small-town Wisconsin to Beverly Hills, apparently to fulfill some life-long dream of the mother's to live it up in California and for her daughter to become an actress. The daughter leaves behind a very close friend and a cousin and complains every step of the way. The mother makes one financial mistake after another and they constantly have their electricity and telephone shut off because she doesn't pay the bills. They move from apartment to apartment which only makes things worse. They get into repeated arguments about finances and the mother's failed love life. The entire movie is a battle of wills between the mother and daughter. Only after the daughter learns to accept her mother's ways is there peace.
Rating:
Summary: This Movie Totally relates to me
Review: I just watched this movie for the first time ever about 2 weeks ago so i had to recored it and i did, why this movie has became one of my favs is because how ann and her mom fight alot it's just like my mom and me how we fight and how i hate her sometimes... oops did i say that? sorry i take it back i love my mom! But this movie is kinda funny and sad the sad part is that Benny dies :( And the funny part is that it relates to me lol and Natalie Portman has become like my fav actress she does a outstanding performance in this movie, and i'm still waiting to see "Where The Heart Is" i heard thats a good movie.....
Rating:
Summary: Here is the perfect real life story..
Review: of a daughter reaching maturity and finding a place in her Mothers life while keeping her own dreams independent and true. Susan Sarandon catches that maternal quality of love and need for her daughter as a charasmatic single parent striking out from a small town trying to chase her star. I loved how Natalie Portman reminded me of my teenage niece going through the difficulty of becoming a woman and trying to adapt to changes she doesn't want but are imposed on her by the ashes of her parent's dream turning to dust. This movie captures the beautiful intricacies of the love, hate and frustration a young girl feels being trapped inside her Mothers world. It is the true struggle of how large and overwhelming life is for single parent women who have been sheltered by years of marriage. And it perfectly captures the reality of life grinding down the lofty vision to a manageable dream. I loved the movie. I loved both actresses. I know this is reality I see my niece's life.
Rating: 
Summary: Great acting, dull story
Review: First of all, I saw this film because I am a Natalie Portman fan. She and Susan Sarandon are very good in this film, the acting is excellent in my opinion. But I was wishing for commercials, the story was kind of depressing me and I felt I suffered through it. It's definitely a chick flick but I would not say it's a totally horrible film.
Rating: 
Summary: Wonderful acting, but relatively empty otherwise.
Review: It's been said many times already, but another 2 cents' worth: wonderful acting, mediocre story. The casting and acting are both flawless, and the chemistry between the two talented leads is wonderful, but I still found watching it to be somewhat empty and depressing. The film is, in essence, a couple of hours spent with a dysfunctional family, and there's not nearly enough insight or redemption on the whole to make it a worthwhile visit.
Rating:
Summary: Natalie Portman show us her talent!
Review: Well, i only will say: the acting here is top level. Susan Sarando is a probated actress, we know, and for te people who was not sure about Natalie Portman (my always beloved girl!), well, The Portman Lady show us her level... Oustanding acting... Natalie Portman is one of the most talented actress, its seem to come since The Professional, now... she probed complety...!!
Rating:
Summary: Very Good Acting, Very Small Story
Review: Susan Sarandon and Natalie Portman would seem to be a wonderful pair for a movie. And maybe they are, just not this movie. For those who remember vinyl records, think about how you felt when the needle stuck and played the same few notes over and over. That's how I felt as I watched this movie. The set was different, the dialogue changed slightly; but the movie is a repetition of the same scene over and over. There are only two excellent exceptions. Portman's audition scene and the scene where she invites her "boyfriend" over are two very well done hiatus. If this storyline interests you, buy "Tumbleweeds". It is a much better movie.
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