Laurel Canyon

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Please tell me about a film called Laurel Canyon. Sounds American to me. It is this week's featured presentation in the Director's Chair slot at my local fleapit and I was wondering whether it would be preferable to sitting and watching Deportivo-Porto on the telly.

― PJ Miller (PJ Miller), Tuesday, 4 May 2004 12:09 (twenty-one years ago)

it's pretty terrible - frances mcdormand is only halfway decent as an aging rock producer who sits around smoking pot with lou barlow and friends. if i remember right, she has a spoiled, uptight kid (christian bale?) who's roiling in the throes of some uninteresting romantic tangle (i don't remember the details). "clever" inversion of parent/child roles (he's square, she's three-sheets-to-the-wind). i just remember a lot of boring conversations on couches, and not feeling obliged to care about the woes of an aging rock goddess or her confused, privileged kid. mcdormand was fine, pretty much everything else was either awkwardly rendered or terribly boring. i'd pass.

― a spectator bird (a spectator bird), Tuesday, 4 May 2004 13:08 (twenty-one years ago)

Thank you. I don't think I want to watch a film with Lou Barlow in it. It would be a different story if it was Murph.

― PJ Miller (PJ Miller), Tuesday, 4 May 2004 13:35 (twenty-one years ago)

barlow doesn't have any lines, but he has this annoying "i'm high and i'm in a movie!" look on his face for most of his scenes.

― a spectator bird (a spectator bird), Tuesday, 4 May 2004 13:53 (twenty-one years ago)

The movie is a little weak, but Kate Beckinsale has never been prettier to look at (I got my $9 worth). I actually thought McDormand's character was the most ridiculous in the movie. The soundtrack is pretty good in spots..

― andrew s (andrew s), Tuesday, 4 May 2004 21:08 (twenty-one years ago)

Craig Wedren in the house!

I wish I were Lou Barlow, and high, and in a movie.

― Girolamo Savonarola, Tuesday, 4 May 2004 21:17 (twenty-one years ago)

The son's extracurricular relationship was lame, the ending barely made sense, the band sucked. But the performances and dialogue were fine.

McDormand's character was believable because I know women just like her, minus the money and fame. Beckinsale was goddess-like, oh yes.

― miloauckerman (miloauckerman), Tuesday, 4 May 2004 21:26 (twenty-one years ago)

wait--kate beckinsale is in this? maybe i will see it now...

― ryan (ryan), Tuesday, 4 May 2004 22:30 (twenty-one years ago)

Not only is Kate Beckinsale in this, she snogs Frances McDormand in a swimming pool.

Its an interesting film - the characters are complex and their conflicts realistic. The ending leaves the audience hanging, waiting for Christian Bale to make a decision. Alessandro Nivola is pretty funny as the Brit rock star...and yeah the soundtrack is great. Fantastic Mercury Rev song ("In A Funny Way") over the credits.

― David Nolan (David N.), Tuesday, 4 May 2004 23:17 (twenty-one years ago)

bale's other love interest (pause for imdb check - natascha mcelhone) is also quite hot.

however, the movie still sucks.

― a spectator bird (a spectator bird), Wednesday, 5 May 2004 02:55 (twenty-one years ago)

Didn't go, watched crap football match instead. How I hate FC Porto. Things might have been different if I'd known Lenny Godber's daughter was in it. Thank you all for your help.

― PJ Miller (PJ Miller), Wednesday, 5 May 2004 09:19 (twenty-one years ago)

does Mark Linkous have a role? Or just on the soundtrack?

― roger adultery (roger adultery), Sunday, 9 May 2004 23:24 (twenty-one years ago)

i would like to second or third that ms. beckinsale was beyond beauty in this. unfortunately she doesnt look that great in the van helsing trailer.

― todd swiss (eliti), Monday, 10 May 2004 02:52 (twenty-one years ago)

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