I'm BBBAAAAACCCCCKKKK!!! HIYA to all my favorite Ciao friends and new Ciaoers!!!! xxxx
I'm BBBAAAAACCCCCKKKK!!! HIYA to all my favorite Ciao friends and new Ciaoers!!!! xxxx
Member since:10.05.2003
Reviews:41
Members who trust:16
The story tells of a retarded but totally devoted single father(Sean Penn) in his struggle to retain custody of his daughter(Dakota Fanning). He badgers a high flying lawyer(Michelle Pheiffer) to help take on his case. The story opens with the birth of the little girl, Lucy. The partner leaves and the father, Sam Dawson is left holding the baby and has to bring her up. He works in a coffee shop and is surrounded by his friends who also have special needs but are completely loving and supportive. His mental age is 8 years old, and when his daughter reaches 8, this is when the educational institution becomes concerned for the little girl's welfare and development. He vows to fight the courts with all he has, but as a coffee shop employee, this looks seemingly unachievable.
THE ACTORS
Sean Penn shows his excellence i this very demanding role, and carries off the character of Sam Dawson exceedingly well. You can really empathise with his character and the turmoil that the storyline presents. In some places I think he over acts the part, but the over all effect is not affected. Dakota Fanning plays a charming daughter,Lucy, again with her usual panache (for an eight year old anyway!) She plays a very innocent girl who just wants to live with her daddy. Michelle Pheiffer plays Rita Harrison, a high flying, hard nosed lawyer who shuns Sam when asking for her help. Her acting is somewhat lacking as this harsher persona. However as she warms to Sam and as the film progresses her character softens and she improves thorughout the film. Through Sam, she sorts out her own differences with her child, as well as trying to support Sam.
THE STORYLINE
The Screenplay is directed and produced by Jessie Nelson, along with Edward Zwick. Typically constructed as a battle through the courts for what is fundementally right. You are hoping all the way through that the right person be it the Judge or the foster mothers will make the right choice, and its controvertial through to the end!
I did think it was a little slow to get going, initially with the background, which is necessary to fully understand the forward moving story. After the first 30 minutes, I was absolutely glued to the screen, with tissues in hand for the rest of the film.
THE SOUNDTRACK
The soundtrack adopts a minimalist genre, similar to composers like that of Arvo Paart.The Minimalist style uses constantly changing note patterns which is vaguely reminiscent of American Beauty. I think this adds to the films quirkiness. There are covers of contemporary tunes from the Beatles, Sheryl Crow, the Wallflowers, Eddy Vedder and Sarah MacClaughlin.
A complete weepy film, we got through loads of tissues, a very well constructed story line and excellent acting all round.
One for a girls night in with loads of chocolate!
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
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Sounds like a good film. Liked how you set out the review. Just an idea but you could add more details on the DVD though, like extras and things, might help you up the rating.
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