A Walk on the Moon

Rating:
Summary: Deserves more attention than it has gotten....
Review: What can you say about a movie where no one gets eaten by wild animals, blown up, attacked by aliens (or evil spirts),or any of the other attention-getters so many films go for these days? Very simple...its excellent...A simple film about ordinary people dealing with ordinary (but unpleasant) aspects of life set in a time of major turmoil in our country's history. Diane Lane turns in a performance that should have gotten her a best-actress Oscar, (but not even a nomination which is almost criminal..)And to top it off..there is not a bad performance in the movie...This films brillance does not turn on spectacular special effects, but nothing more than each actor and actress in the movie doing a wonderful job.

Rating:
Summary: Lane's Oscar worthy performance
Review: Diane Lane's performance in this movie was superb and unforgettable. Throughout the movie, the lens zooms in on her face; in effect, we, the audience, are able to see the most minute and subtle details on her face; each facial expression is crafted to perfection. Lane seems to leap out of the movie screen and into real life; no suspension of disbelief is required. I was surprised that Diane Lane was not nominated for an Oscar (best actress). I felt that her role in this movie was similar to that of Julianne Moore's in "The End of the Affair," but her performance was much better than that of Julianne's (despite the fact that Julianne Moore is my favorite actress). Lane portrays the conflicts of the human heart with such remarkable plausibility. This is the most genuine or "real to life" performance which I have ever witnessed. I think that Lane has been cheated out of an Oscar nomination.

Rating:
Summary: A Walk on the Moon
Review: I am extremely picky when it comes to movies. Rarely does one come along that keeps me glued to the sofa, unwilling to hit pause for even a moment. The cinematography in this movie was brilliant -- diffused color tones, as though dreamily recalling memories from a distant time, and the movie did not focus on tired stock footage of Woodstock, as I had feared it would. The chemistry between Diane Lane and Viggo Mortensen was electric. I was surprised that this movie wasn't more popular, but I think that for a viewer to really enjoy this movie, one must have some fond "connection" to the era of Woodstock. Viewers won't find airheaded characters in this movie, and don't watch it hoping to see bare-breasted women swaying to Woodstock music on acid trips. It's an emotional and thought-provoking movie. No mindless mainstream plot here. When the movie ended, it left me feeling that so much had been left unsaid, and I wished the movie could have gone on.

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Summary: A passionate life.
Review: For many of us, we continue to search outside ourselves for validation and worth. Such is the plight of Pearl, expertly portrayed by Diane Lane.Though set in 1969, this story could well have occurred in the year 2000, and does. As a mother of two small children, who has walked close to the fires of temptation, I felt as though my soul was being laid out in this film. I believe that in each of us, lies the desire to be 'free' and 'unfettered' as Lane portrays. Her question early on in the film, "Do you ever feel trapped by your life?", is one that resonates through many women's and men's minds daily. I was totally captivated by the performances, and was so glad to have happened upon it on the video shelves. For anyone who has felt unfulfilled and wished for passion in life, this is definite proof that loving oneself is the all important first ingredient. The most touching film I've seen in a very long time.

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Summary: Summer `69
Review: This film bights to light the life that is taken away when young Love became Adult to early in their lives. Pearl a loving wife that envies her teenage daughters chances, to be young and wild. At 17 Pearl became preagant and married Marty. 14 years later this family goes through their own life changing events. In the summer of 1969 the family goes on their vaction in up state New York.Pearl in need of the chances, she did get when she was a teen she makes a change that will change everthing.This is wonderful film bring the idea that it is never to late to make a change even if it is just a ideas. No one in this film seems like they have the supporting roles. All the characters take center stage at one time or another. We would recommend this film to anyone looking for a good drama that most adults can relate to. Leiv Schrieber (Marty) gives a powerful and emortionly performance.

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Summary: Summer of '69
Review: I've read everyone's reviewof this movie and now I just have to tell it myself. When I heard they were going to make this movie I couldn't wait to see it. You see, I grew up in White Lake, NY in the summer of '69 and everyhing in this great movie was exactly the way I remember it! Things really did happen that way. I know that because I could have been the daughter in this movie.The people who portrayedthese down to earth,caring, loving charactershave done their jobs superbly. You can't truly understand this movie and what it represents unlessyou have truly lived it.It was one of the best times of my life. Being 14 and in love for the first time and seeing Woodstock and the men on the moon....it was awesome.This film and the actors and actresses who portayed the characters was one, if not, thee best film I have seen in a long time

Rating:
Summary: The Perfect Movie
Review: A Walk on the Moon is one of those rare movies that is perfect in every way. For a movie to be really good you have to care about its characters. This movie is about characters so full of life, and love, and reality - that you really care what happens to them. And the performances by the entire cast are so outstanding that you become totally immersed in their lives. I think Diane Lane deserves an Oscar for her performance as Pearl. She plays her body as a musician does an instrument - her facial expressions, a window to the feeling soul of her character, all her gestures so apt in creating such a realistic rendering of Pearl. What a performance! This is movie fantasy at its best, every scene perfectly elucidating character or moving the story along. If you want to see a movie that captures the humanity of real people, that lets you enjoy the artistry of consummate performers, that is touching and sweet and good -see A Walk on the Moon.

Rating:
Summary: Refreshing
Review: How refreshing to see a film that is not filled with stereotypes and cliches. There were many moments in the film when I was pleasantly surprised by the actions of the characters. One is when the mother-in-law, in a conversation with her daughter-in-law (Lane), reveals that she knows what Pearl has been up to. She treats Pearl with much understanding rather than attacking her (which is what one might expect). Another such moment is when Pearl's husband comes face to face with her lover during a family crisis. I was waiting for a fight and it (thankfully) didn't happen. I really love movies that surprise me by unexpected actions, that are completely plausable. This is a very rich story, with interesting, sympathetic characters.

Rating:
Summary: Entertaining and moving, but such missed potential!
Review: Upon second viewing, the flaws in "A Walk on the Moon" are even more evident. A simple, entertaining story set in the Catskills circa 1969, this movie has atmosphere and heart to spare, with two realistic, convincing performances from Liev Schrieber and Anna Paquin. What the movie is sorely lacking is a much-needed scene in which we see what Pearl finds so irresistible in the Blouse Man. We see a sexual relationship in which one substantial conversation never seems to take place. Because of this, it is hard to understand her wanting to leave her family for this man. Diane Lane's performance is at equal turns strong and unconvincing. Just check out her response to her husband's discovery of the affair to see missed opportunities in her emotional range. Liev Schreiber gives an Oscar-worthy, subtle performance as Pearl's husband; Anna Paquin is also memorable as the daughter. When all is said and done, the movie smartly shows us the ramifications of Pearl's actions without resorting to melodrama. But by failing to provide us with the basis on which to evaluate her feelings for the Blouse Man, the movie leaves a gaping hole in its credibility. Definitely worth seeing for the performances and overall feel for the time period. However, I wish the screenplay had scratched farther below the surface.

Rating:
Summary: Liev's best yet! A moving, realistic portrayal
Review: There is nothing I enjoy more in a movie than the filmmaker's ability to draw the viewer in and make him believe that these are REAL people, with REAL problems, solving them REALISTICALLY. If you enjoy that too, this movie is for you. You can't help but get drawn in to the story, getting lost in the little world the actors create. Liev Shrieber, although he isn't billed as the "star", puts forth the strongest, most moving performance. The music is fantastic, too! This is the most touching film I've seen in a long time.