A Walk on the Moon

Rating:
Summary: More Of A "Saunter" On The Moon
Review: The universal theme of coming to terms with the loss of youth and accepting a life of unfulfilled hopes and dreams is explored in "A Walk On the Moon," directed by Tony Goldwyn. Diane Lane stars as Pearl Kantrowitz, a thirty-one year old mother of two, the oldest of whom, Alison (Anna Paquin), is fourteen; her husband, Marty (Liev Schreiber), is a square shooter who loves his wife and family and provides for them by working long hours in a shop repairing television sets. It's the summer of '69, and while on the family's extended vacation-- during which Marty must return to work for the week-- Pearl falls into discontent, and with Woodstock about to happen a mere stone's throw from the campground/resort at which they are staying, she soon succumbs to the siren's song of the '60s: The inhibition, freedom and free love-- all of which have been denied her since giving birth to her daughter at age seventeen. There's an honesty to Goldwyn's film, and though he captures the sense of the times in which the story is set fairly well, he nevertheless fails to elicit much sympathy for his leading lady, Lane. Perhaps it's because, though there is much about Pearl with which to identify, her story is just too familiar; her situation is far from being unique, and she has a decent, upper middle-class life, with a loving husband and two great kids. The fact that she started young and that her dreams were never realized is a shame, but it's not like she's the only one to whom such a fate has befallen. And her futile attempt at regaining her lost years comes across as somewhat shallow and decidedly unsympathetic; and without that sympathy the film sputters and finally stalls, even as Neil Armstrong is beginning his historic walk on the Moon. There's no question that Lane is attractive, and physically she fits the role of Pearl perfectly. But she simply doesn't possess the wherewithal to sell her character in this film. The emotional turmoil of what Pearl is experiencing seems restricted to the surface, and she never manages that depth of feeling that would've made the necessary connection with the audience. It's not that Lane is bad in this role, it's just that she's not that good. There are just too many gaps in credibility and too many false moments to be overlooked. It's as if the character throughout remained just beyond her grasp. Liev Schreiber, on the other hand, is outstanding as Marty. You have no trouble believing he is exactly who and what he is supposed to be. This is a character to whom most people will be able to relate, and if only Lane had been able to evoke the same kind or response as Schreiber, it would've made a tremendous difference in the overall aspect of the film. Anna Paquin gives a noteworthy performance as well, successfully capturing the angst of puberty while coping with an ever-changing world. The supporting cast includes Viggo Mortensen as Walker Jerome, the traveling salesman with whom Pearl attempts to reconcile her lost youth; Tovah Feldshuh (Lilian Kantrowitz); Bobby Boriello (Daniel); Stewart Bick (Neil); Jess Platt (Herb); Star Jasper (Rhoda) and Julie Kavner (Voice of the Social Director). There are some poignant moments in Goldwyn's film, and it does generate a certain sense of loss and longing; but overall, "A Walk On the Moon" is at best a momentary diversion that comes across like a finger painting on an impressionist's canvas. That is stays afloat at all is due mainly to Schreiber and Paquin's performances. Other than that, this is-- unfortunately-- a rather forgettable film that never quite attains the level of drama to which it aspires.

Rating:
Summary: Long Liev Liev
Review: Liev Schreiber is a sensation in this flick. ANyone who saw him in that awful Parker Posey movie with all the people i the car who drive into New York from Long Island will at last get a chance to see him do some solid work

Diane Lane is also fabulous in this. She is an actress who can someimes seem a little flat, but here she is va va va voom, and full of emotional complexity.

I'm not sure about Viggo Mortensen. Sexy, yes. Kind of cryptic, though.

As for Tovah Feldshuh, what can I say? The three most exciting words in show business are Tovah! Tovah! Tovah!. Her years on the boards have really paid off for her. I'd love to see her do some larger roles, too; she doesn't have enough screen time in thois one for uis to really rally for her.

I think the story is one that we all can relate to. I guess it IS one of the movies that THE OPPOSITE OF SEX was making fun of--you, know, where the narrator says, "After that summer, everything was different." But nevertheless, it is honest and sharply drawn if a little sentimental at times. Was it nominated for any awards? I'd be interested to know. So much of the talent onscreen is so high calibre.

Rating:
Summary: Exciting Words
Review: The most exciting three words in show business are Tovah! Tovah! Tovah!

Rating:
Summary: Good concept, but the script should have been better
Review: It's 1969 in a bungalow colony near Woodstock where husbands come up weekends to visit their wives and kids. Pearl Kantrowitz, at 32 is the mother of a 14 year old daughter and a 5 year old son. When a hippie salesman comes to the bungalow colony to sell blouses, she's drawn into an affair with him. This is a time period that I'm familiar with. I, myself, was only 30 years old then. I, too, had children. I also looked at the hippie world as an adventure that was somehow passing me by. I remember those feelings and those wonder years.

Diane Lane, cast as the mother, with her confusion and mixed loyalties, played her part well. So did the hippie lover, Viggo Mortensen, who has the kind of good looks that are sketched on the covers of romance novels. Anna Paquen is superb as the 14 year old daughter, coming of age herself, who goes to Woodstock and sees her mother there with the hippie. And the husband, played by Liev Shreiber is wonderful as he tries to cope with his wife's changes and his love for his family. Cast as Pearl's Jewish mother-in-law, Tovah Feldshuh should have been better. The role is a good one, but the Yiddish words as written in the script were awkward.

One of the reasons I hesitate to recommend this video is that the setting was artificial. For example, in the few Woodstock scenes, the sun was always shining and it seemed to last just one short afternoon. The real Woodstock lasted 3 days and it rained constantly. I also thought the Jewishness and silliness of the bungalow colony was overdone. Every single cliche and Yiddish expression were thrown in. I found this distracting from the central human story of a family trying to cope with a changing world. The scenes were much too long and the story moved too slowly. Too many scenes were just talking and no action. The plot was predictable and there were no surprises. And I kept looking at my watch every ten minutes.

The title refers to the moon walk by the astronauts, watched on flickering black and white television sets that summer. It's a big theme reflecting a changing world. But in spite of good acting and interesting story, this film tried hard, but just didn't make it.

Rating:
Summary: A rare hidden jewel
Review: A wonderfully nostalgic film with a truly spectacular performance by both Diane Lane and Liev Schreiber.

Pearl's feelings of missing out on something in the past, is unfortunately an all too often familiar situation, particularly among women it seems. I guess what astounded me most, is how easily Marty seemed to accept the situation, and her, back into his life. And while the movie was easily predictable, it was the characters that made it much more than that and kept me watching. It is one of those hidden jewels that sparkle when you finally view it. Highly recommended.

Rating:
Summary: Good enough--but not great
Review: Better at evoking a time and place (60's Catskills) than being a fully actualized film. Diane Lane gives the role of a bored middle-class Jewish housewife her all, but let's face it, honey--not with THAT punim.Liev Shreiber is much more believable as her husband--and of the supporting cast, Anna Paquin does a neat job as her awkward-stage, rebellious daughter. But all in all, the movie has nothing very fresh to say, and is best as an exercise in nostalgia for a milieu that has never quite been given its due.

Rating:
Summary: Diane Lane is Mesmerizing!
Review: Since her debut in 1979, Diane Lane has continued to be an incredibly beautiful and mesmerizing actress. As a BIG fan, I saw this movie just because of Diane Lane but was so blown-away at the performances of Liev Schreiber(husband), Viggo Mortensen("blouse man/lover") and an all-grown-up Anna Paquin who plays a typical rebellious teen. Together the typical Jewish family experiences the angst of every family living in 1969- teen sexuality, for a girl-getting your period, a love affair, and the bond of traditions and true love. For those of us not familiar with the Jewish way of community, it is a very touching and endearing story. Diane Lane continues to be the best kept secret in Hollywood, but, I am sure, she, herself keeps it that way, holding no "STAR" attitude such as other actors making the big bucks. You can always expect a great "walk on the moon" from Diane and this movie doesn't disappoint! This film was entirely UNDER rated with the directing talents of Tony Goldwyn("Ghost") and producing skill of Dustin Hoffman. All in all, a pleasant surprise!

Rating:
Summary: remembering my lost "summer" love
Review: this is an excellent movie.. emotional & sweet... i once had this very same experience.. a free spirit walked into my life & changed my world ..but i gave it up again for a man i had been with a long time ... but this movie will make you remember feeling you thought were lost forever...the late 60's held a powerful message .. i'm sorry i was born too late ..but this characters in this film bring it's spirit back to life...and much of it is beaming through viggo mortensen's blue eyes .....

Rating:
Summary: Not a gun in sight!
Review: What a nice change to see a film which is simple, honest and made without special effects or car chases. And not a gun in sight. Is that what the sixties was really like?

This is a charming film about the people we used to be back when you could still smoke cigarettes, have a cocktail after a hard day at the office and fool around without much chance of getting a deadly disease. Although this film has a slightly serious side to it, it is in the main, a sort of look back at those years which flew past all too quickly and took a great many people along with them, in a sort of flood of home improvements and cheap mountain holidays. It was all a bit of a whirl. And then there was Woodstock and this guy walking on the moon and things were starting to somehow, unaccountably, come apart.

Tony Goldwyn deserves a lot of credit for even attempting to make a film like this, let alone succeeding on his first attempt at directing. It's a very pleasing result from A to Z and the great thing about it, apart from the absence of gratuitous Hollywood muck, is that it just gets on with the story, with nobody's ego getting in the road and spoiling its simplicity. Diane Lane and Viggo Mortenson are well matched as the couple about to discover Woodstock and experience some of its encroaching peace and love. Anna Paquin is perfectly believable as a young kid trying to catch up with mum, and having her eyes opened to more than the usual extent. Leif Schreiber is possibly the best of them all in this interesting cast, as he renders a very strong cuckolded 1960s male of the macho variety, and does so very sensitively. Tovah Feldshuh is also very strong as his all-knowing, all-seeing mother. A very worthwhile film, and such a change from the usual workaday cinema coming out of the West.

Rating:
Summary: Good Watching but error in review
Review: I don't know who the son was played by but his name is not TOVAH FELDSHUH as she is a woman. And she was great as the tea leaf reading mother-in-law.