Rating: 
Summary: (In Fact 3.5) Flawed But One Notch Up for McDormand's "Babe"
Review: "Laurel Canyon" has a simple premise. It is about a pair in love, young doctor Sam (Chrstian Bale) who is going to work in hospital, and Alex (Kate Beckinsale) who is working on a paper (doctorial) about the reproduction system of flies. The couple are going to marry soon, and fly to the West Coast where Sam's mother lives. And it's Laurel Canyon, the place of Joni Mitchell song.His mom Jane (Frances McDormand) has her own studio where she produces records; lots of golden records are decorated; and Jane and the band led by Ian (Alessandro Nivola, giving his own voice) are still dreaming of Summer of Love, rolling joints as if that's usual. Alex, serious student of insects. cannot be free from the influence, finding another side of her personality. In the meanwhile, Sam meets a beautiful Israeli doctor (Natascha McElhone), who is attracted to him, and he to her. The story is nothing new, and the characters are not particularly interesting except Jane, thanks greatly to McDormand. Few can play the role of mother, lover, and seducer in one, and McDormand does it so easliy that you may forget that "Laurel Canyon" is basically the story about the younger ones, Bale and Beckinsale. And they are not bad, though I cannot understand the producers' decision of casting two British faces in American situation. The locations play the vital role. And they are attractive, including that of Hotel Chateau Marmont. But somehow there is something off-putting about them, perhaps they are essentially the places for celebrities, where not many ordinary people can approach casually. I know the story cannot be nowhere else; but the overfamiliar plot and the weak ending betray that except for McDormand's, the characters lack something substantial, like the place the film shows. In other words, we care little about them. See this film as Frances McDormand's, and you will not be disappointed. Lisa Cholodenko is no doubt a talented director, and her previous film 'High Art' starring Radha Mitchell and Ally Sheedy is a quite impressive film about the two lovers, about which we really care. That was far better than "Laurel Can." and the place you should go first.
Rating: 
Summary: Laurel Characters.
Review: This film is strictly middle of the road. A study of characters, fidelity and relationships that is somewhat enjoyable and somewhat flat. The cast is great and work their characters well, however, none of the characters are that sympathetic save FRANCES McDORMAND's Jane and ALESSANDRO NIVOLA's wry brit rocker Ian. He steals the show as a zen free spirit that steals every scene he's in. The plot centers around CHRISTIAN BALE and KATE BECKENSALE as an engaged couple whom have to stay with BALE's mom (McDORMAND) while he attends his psychology residency at a renowned hospital. Right off the bat, BALE becomes interested in a fellow resident (McELHONE) and BECKENSALE takes a liking to Ian (NIVOLA), a musician who is hooking up with BALE's mom (McDORMAND), a neo- hippie record producer that BALE is quite embarassed of. The story is simple enough, but ends up going nowhere and makes you wonder what the engaged couple are doing together in the first place. LAUREL CANYON has some good momments, thanks to some snappy low key direction, some decent music, and NIVOLA's charming performance. An enjoyable if not engaging peice of independant film.
| 
