Limbo

Rating:
Summary: Quiet Movie Creeps Into You
Review: Limbo..not quite heaven, but not really hell. John Sayles makes curious little films that get inside you rather than blow you away. After first viewing, I could neither recommend it or warn you away from it. Months later, I'm still thinking about it.

This is a review of the DVD rather than of the movie itself--or rather it's a review of John Sayle's commentary which one of the most lucid, informative commentaries on DVD (right up there with Three Kings). Too many commentaries devolve into a mini-cast party, hemming and hawing to fulfill some marketing obligation.

Sayles has something to say in the film and about crafting the film. He discusses the philosophy of the film, the dialog, the choice of actors (he knew the actors he wanted and then wrote the characters and dialog for them), the technical aspects of filming (especially of sound recording and lighting). Everything is done with purpose, each provides a piece of the puzzle. Does such deliberate craftmanship result in a successful movie? The answer is, well, in limbo.

Rating:
Summary: ATOMIC BOMB - TURKEY !!
Review: Don't be fooled by the unbeliavably generous reviews people have given to this garbage. This movie is horrible. THe ending is an insult and an offense to the viewer. THe acting is atrocious, so bad it is. A so-called "art" movie, that ended as a total failure.

Rating:
Summary: Vintage Sayles -- a Haunting Story that Stays with You
Review: This a pretty incredible film, so take my advice and don't let anyone else spoil its surprises if you haven't seen it. It's a quiet and strange film filled nevertheless with a lot of complexity, chills and heart. But part of its magic does lie in the suspense of simply wondering what will happen next, so keep yourself in the dark if you can before viewing.

That said, this is vintage John Sayles that at the same time explores new territory. Like most of his films, it seems at first to be more about character than plot -- but the plot rears its head, and as with "Lone Star," the story is unexpected and flawless. "Limbo" offers wonderful performances (especially those of the three leads), but it also boasts a knockout soundtrack (who knew Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio could sing?) and moments of quiet and eerie poignance. The ending will leave you thinking (and talking) for some time to come.

This DVD is one of the good ones, by the way -- no paltry "extras" of just a trailer or "more movies to buy!" And what a treat to actually get a chance to listen to Sayles on the commentary track -- unlike many commentaries, this one adds layers instead of stripping them. It's a hard film to forget.

Rating:
Summary: What a treat!
Review: As usual with Sayles movies, it takes a while to pop the DVD into the player as you know you are in for a thought-provoking time, no gratuitous sex or violence here... just a good, solid story with some of the best acting you can find.

Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio and David Strathairn are wonderful as are their roles, the Alaskan scenery is just plain beautiful, and the film will keep you thinking for weeks...

Rating:
Summary: Fabulous
Review: Limbo is a wonderful movie filled with great storytelling and characters. The more I thought about it, the more I loved it. The characters are memorable, including the ones you don't see. And, the ending is perfect, no matter what anyone says.

Rating:
Summary: I hope this movie stays in LIMBO a long time...
Review: Horrible motion picture. Don't come to me saying this is "intelligent", "different", nothing like that, It's only bad directed, bad acted, bad plot all over the place. I don't recommend it to anyone.

Rating:
Summary: a glorified dime novel
Review: What I did like was the great acting by Vanessa Martinez. It also gave you a little feel of Alaska-not easy to get unless you go there.

Rating:
Summary: The Journey Is The Story
Review: One might not like the ending, but damn... the trip was fascinating. Sayles has created a gem, shining thru the pale offerings that pass as adult drama in these days. Is it possible that a young actress reading from a diary can be so fascinating? Is it possible that an actress singing can make you run out and buy a soundtrack? Is it possible not to recognize Bruce? Is it possible that Sayles manages time and again to draw stellar performances from actors and actresses who seem to be under utilized in an industry focused on the next pretty face? Yes to all. Do yourself a favor, spend some time in Limbo.

Rating:
Summary: John Sayles as Faith Restorer
Review: Thank God 'Limbo' has made it to video. It wasn't in the theatre for very long, and it wasn't in very many theatres. Now, all those filmgoers who missed it (either because they never heard of it in the first place, or because they were put off by what they heard about the inconclusive - but perfectly justifiable - ending) have a chance to see this beautifully shot film. Its many qualities ensure that it lingers in the mind, but above all, its strengths are its sense of community, its sensitive treatment of the theme of bruised lives, and the conviction in the performances of the cast, particularly David Strathairn, as Joe Gastineau, a former High School sports star and fisherman haunted by guilt over a tragedy on his boat, and Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio, as a never-quite-made-it singer struggling to cope with her teenage daughter. Both fall for Gastineau, and, thanks to Strathairn's ability to convey quiet integrity and hidden yet detectable resourcefulness, we can understand why. Alaska is nothing if not easy on the eye, but Sayles knows full well that stunning backdrops without human drama in the foreground are stunning backdrops and nothing more than that. His genius for marrying the two is exemplified in a wonderful sequence, during which shots of Mastrantonio singing a arresting version of the Richard Thompson song 'The Dimming of the Day' in a bar, is intercut with shots of Straithairn's character fishing, forced by circumstances to brave the seas once more. Halfway through, just as the relationship is developing, Sayles upsets audience expectations and 'Limbo' becomes a fight for survival. In a summer of moving wallpaper, this film stood out. It will do so on the video shelves too.

Rating:
Summary: Characters, characters, characters . . .
Review: As always with John Sayles' movies, I came to care deeply for the characters, and I'm dying to visit the location -- Alaska in this case. If you've seen other of his movies, I'd say this one has the feel more of Passion Fish than of Lone Star.

Yes, I yelled a nasty epithet at Sayles as the credits started rolling, but hey, it's post-modernism; get over it. It's still an amazing movie if you enjoy engrossing films with excellent acting and characters.

If you just want a fun ride with a well-defined beginning, middle, and end, DON'T RENT THIS MOVIE.