Rating: 
Summary: A film that knows how to set a mood
Review: There is a thin line that movies like Flesh and Bone walk, its story line suggests an overwrought film, with loud scenery chewing acting and flashy camera work. This could have easily turned into a pointless variation on the pointless U-Turn. A credit then to director Steve Klove and his cinamatagropher Philippe Rousselot for creating a completely original beast. You may not know it from a plot description, but you will never see another film quite like this one. In the film's arresting opening scene an expressionless grim looking boy stands outside a family's house late at night. He doesn't say a word except that he's lost. They let him in, and decide to let him stay overnight. But that's not all there is to it, the boy is actually working with his father on a scheme they've perfected hundreds of times before, where he waits till the family is asleep and opens the door to his father to come in and rob the place. Something goes terribly wrong that night, but the events that transpire in this scene will haunt every character in this film. This brilliant opening sequence grabs the veiwer's attention, and makes the slow burning tense plot that follows all the more mysterious. Dennis Quaid stars as Arliss, a man who isn't much of a talker, "You're the best listener I've ever met" Kay Davies (Meg Ryan) tells him when they first meet. "Depends on who's talking" he replies. As events unfold, with a touch if a supernatural element we come to fully comprehend why he so unenthusiastic about life. "I'm a creature of habit" he says at one point, and by then we know exactly why he feels breaking established habits can be deadly. The dialogue in this film, which is written by the director, literally stings. There are no throw away lines, or scenes that merely exist to push the plot forward. Every line is diliberate and calculated, queitly delivered by a cast who obviously relish this high quality stuff. All four principle cast member are excellent. I've always admired Dennis Quaid since Breaking Away, Meg Ryan successfully sheds the light comedy persona, Gwenyth Paltrow delivers her lines with icey detachment and James Caan is chilling as a man who "values his sleep". I'd love to see more movies by Steve Klove, he has only made one other film The Fabulous Baker Boys, and most recently he wrote the wonderful Wonder Boys. Seek this film out, it has a mood all its own.
Rating: 
Summary: One of My Favorites: A Great Underappreciated Sleeper
Review: This film is one of my favorites. The story is suspenseful and well plotted. The theme is universal, but if you're not from small-town western Oklahoma or western Texas, or have not spent extended time there, you may not fully appreciate what a fabulous job Kloves (a native of Austin TX) has done in this film -- and how underappreciated the film is. It is a true sleeper. Culturally, this movie is the Southwestern equivalent of a film about Native Americans written and directed by a Native American. Speaking as a native of the Southwest, it was so refreshing to see a movie set in the rural Southwest that broke from the stale stereotype of the typical "western" law & order, yahoo, or save the ranch movies --one that tells a compelling and suspenseful personal story in a culturally authentic manner, without a single sheriff in sight. "Blood" or family ties are sacrosanct in this region of the country, so the theme is very appropriate to the cultural context while remaining of interest to most viewers. Ryan's, & Cann's performances are respectable, but not exceptionally authentic culturally. I agree with the earlier critique of Ryan's portrayal, but she nevertheless does a pretty good job for a girl from Connecticut-- one that is more regionally authentic than Cann's! This was the first film I saw Paltrow in, and she played her jaded character so convincingly (Paltrow's character is a wandering con artist from parts unknown -- obviously not from the Southwest) that it took time to view her differently in later films. However, if your only exposure to "cowboys" is from western movies, country-western music videos, or city-born "drugstore" cowboys, and you haven't spent time around feed lots, and cattle auctions in Texas or Oklahoma, then you've never seen real "born and bred" country cowboys from the Southwest and you probably won't realize how remarkable and true Quaid's performance is. When I first saw this film years ago, Quaid's performance was so good -- so nuanced -- that I was sure he had to have grown up in the country of west Texas. Quaid captured the body language and subtle mannerisms perfectly. My husband and I love watching this movie and we never fail to marvel anew at Quaid's performance each time we see it. It is so rare to see a captivating film of this quality and authenticity set in the rural Southwest.
Rating:
Summary: PURE AND REAL!!
Review: This is an excellent movie. The plot is a non-formulaic, realistic and riveting look at an emotionally scarred man who strives to break off all ties to his troubled past. This is probably Quaid's finest role since "The Right Stuff." When he meets Meg Ryan, the chemistry is there. Quaid's past comes back to haunt him in the form of James Caan, accompanied by Paltrow. The pace is consistently relaxed, with smooth transitions into the plot's several unexpected scenes. Stark soundtrack adds to the flavor of the film. Great flick!!
Rating:
Summary: Magnificent
Review: This is perhaps Meg Ryan's best role as she delivers a truly emotionally scarred and self-forgotten Kay. Ryan's portrait of her character is so real it's scary. Dennis Quaid is also on one of his best performances, though at the end seems a little off, but not by far. Excellent work. Gwyneth Paltrow is memorable as she blends into the story so naturally and sharply that eventhough her character is vague in the storytelling, she shines like a true star. James Caan is scary. He acts so naturally that you wonder if the guy is really like that. He is a solid good artist. Bottom line: everything comes together (acting, story, photography, pauses) to produce a unique and rare jewel of a movie. If you like movies that make you think and reach deep into the soul, you gotta see it (and probably own it, I know I do).
Rating: 
Summary: Good for "some" occasions, especially if you're a writer.
Review: This music was perfect for the dark film that embodied it, yet, it is not quite the Thomas Newman we've all come to love and admire. I remember watching the film and somewhat becoming enchanted with the score, not knowing it was Newman but having a pretty good guess that it was. After I found out it was him, I decided to buy it(and I see I might have been in the minority on this decision). Word of caution, I could not find a place on the net to sample this music so you'll have to go by the film alone. If I were to compare this score to other Newman films, I'd be hard-pressed to find a suitor. One score that comes to mind is the Green Mile. If you like music that makes you think, tracks #6, #10, #11,#18, #21, and #23 will do. All in all, though, this score is not for those folks who fell in love with other Newman scores like How to Make An American Quilt, Little Women, Fried Green Tomatoes, or Meet Joe Black. It is, to put it plainly, The Green Mile on a very bad day. Even so, I gave it 3 stars because although hard to hear at times, it is very influencial music, especially for a writer like myself who gets inspirtation from music, and this score does just fine for my more morbid writings. If you're brave enough to buy this cd, I wish you luck but don't be surprised if you fall in love with it or throw it in the nearest trash can. It's that kind of score.
Rating:
Summary: uneven, but watchable
Review: This tale of murder and mayhem sat in the backwoods of texas isnt always easy to follow,. For starters, the two lead characters played by then lovers ryan and quaid, seem oddly mis-matched, he like he isnt really into the role at all, and she is just plain not gritty and hardened enough for this film. James Caan is deliciously evil in this film, and viewers might get a kick out of a younger Gwyneth Paltrow as Caans young girl friend and companion. She has a small semi- nude part as well. There is a nice shot of her and Mey Ryan out in a wheat field towards the end of the movie with their blone hair waving in the breeze. But for all it could have been the film just never comes together fully. Still, thats just my opinion you may like it.
Rating:
Summary: uneven, but watchable
Review: This tale of murder and mayhem sat in the backwoods of texas isnt always easy to follow,. For starters, the two lead characters played by then lovers ryan and quaid, seem oddly mis-matched, he like he isnt really into the role at all, and she is just plain not gritty and hardened enough for this film. James Caan is deliciously evil in this film, and viewers might get a kick out of a younger Gwyneth Paltrow as Caans young girl friend and companion. She has a small semi- nude part as well. There is a nice shot of her and Mey Ryan out in a wheat field towards the end of the movie with their blone hair waving in the breeze. But for all it could have been the film just never comes together fully. Still, thats just my opinion you may like it.
Rating:
Summary: ...
Review: What I like so much about "Flesh and Bone" is that it's so unlike most other Thomas Newman scores but it also predates the movies we have came to love like "The Green Mile", "Shawshank Redemption", "American Beauty". Up to that point Thomas had not quite formed a style that we could distiguish him with, that would indentify him with the movies he scores. He beautifully captures the mood and atmosphere with melancholy and sadness and at the same time disturbing and haunting. Not a typical Hollywood score when instruments such as autoharp, bowls, bells, mandolin, marxaphone, bowed string, processed dulcimer, steel guitar, rod and plate assembles, birds, insects and vehicles along with the orchestration are heard. There is a ambience within the music that blends so well with the setting of the movie, the wheat fields of Texas.
Rating:
Summary: ...
Review: What I like so much about "Flesh and Bone" is that it's so unlike most other Thomas Newman scores but it also predates the movies we have came to love like "The Green Mile", "Shawshank Redemption", "American Beauty". Up to that point Thomas had not quite formed a style that we could distiguish him with, that would indentify him with the movies he scores. He beautifully captures the mood and atmosphere with melancholy and sadness and at the same time disturbing and haunting. Not a typical Hollywood score when instruments such as autoharp, bowls, bells, mandolin, marxaphone, bowed string, processed dulcimer, steel guitar, rod and plate assembles, birds, insects and vehicles along with the orchestration are heard. There is a ambience within the music that blends so well with the setting of the movie, the wheat fields of Texas.
Rating: 
Summary: Boring & Stupid!
Review: Why are people saying this movie is a thriller? It was so boring and pointless I had to make myself stay and watch it to the end. I'm not going to waste my time and write a detailed account of the movie. I'll just say that it was VERY dissapointing and Gwenyth Paltrow (or however you spell it) is UGLY and OVERRATED!
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