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27 out of 32 people found the following review useful: Great acting is enough, 31 May 2004 Author: rbverhoef (rbverhoef@hotmail.com) from The Hague, Netherlands
This is a very well acted movie that deals with a sudden loss in a family in a better way than I would expect. The movie avoids the usual clichés and through some very strong performances shows us how it could really be. The dead person is the daughter of Ben (Dustin Hoffman) and Jojo (Susan Sarandon), her fiancé named Joe (Jake Gyllenhaal) is now living with them. The girl was murdered, simply because she was in the wrong place at the wrong time. Now Ben and Joe go into business together and the all try to live on in their own ways. Joe befriends a girl named Bertie Knox (Ellen Pompeo) who also has lost someone.Like I said the subject is handled in a very good way. May be the movie makes some easy choices, especially near the end, but the acting is so good and real here that the movie is easily forgiven. Gyllenhaal plays the same kind of part as he did in 'Donnie Darko' and 'The Good Girl', not the most happy one. He has the best single scene, although overall veterans Hoffman and Sarandon are as good as he is. The best thing though is Ellen Pompeo. Her character has a certain sweetness and nice way of dealing with things and Pompeo finds the perfect note for playing this part. See it for the acting and you will find a lot more.
32 out of 42 people found the following review useful: Good acting saves this, 1 January 2005 Author: q-taran from United States
True, this movie is not for everyone. It is not for action junkies and it isn't that exciting as dramas go. But the excellent acting by the three main leads will hold your attention, if you let yourself get into it.Dustin Hoffman is completely believable as the dad whose hopes and dreams have vanished with his daughter and he struggles to hold on to them in a state of denial. Susan Sarandon's character has accepted the fact and turns away from friends' sympathy. And as the fiancée in a slight state of paralysis from numbness, Jake Gyllenhaal proves he can play more than disturbed teen. The girl's parents try to hold onto him as their last hope of clinging to their daughter. Joe (Gyllenhaal) doesn't want to hurt them by leaving, but has to find his own path now.The actors keep the movie going for longer than expected. Even though by the end you're glad it's over, it'll stick in your mind. It's the kind of movie you only see once, or else you'll get sick of it. But the one time will be enough for you to appreciate its quiet despair and hope.
26 out of 34 people found the following review useful: An underrated masterpiece., 15 January 2006 Author: us3 from Pietermaritzburg, South Africa
"Moonlight Mile" is one of the most beautiful films ever to be made. Highlighted by phenomenal performances by Hoffman, Sarandon and Hunter, the film is truly inspiring, despite some overly-sentimental moments.Brad Silberling has created an amazing piece of film. The story starts out quite shakily, but manages to quickly find its feet and, thus, saves itself from being another overly-indulgent, kitchy movie. Some might battle with "Moonlight Mile"'s pace, as the film takes its time in developing its characters. However, the film is character-driven and these developments are fundamental to the film's progression.Holly Hunter's performance is Oscar worthy, even though her role is quite small. Judi Dench won an Oscar for her 8 minute performance in "Shakespeare in love" and I see no reason why Hunter should not have been nominated. Amongst a cast of film legends, Jake Gyllenhaal holds his ground. It is obvious that he has had less experience in the acting field, but his performance is still great. Gyllenhaal's climatic monologue near the end of the film will give you goosebumps. It is the best part of the film and in my opinion one of the best scenes in cinema history.In a film about one of the most life-changing, traumatic experiences one can endure, subtlety rules. Little things drive the film and the characters in the film begin to appreciate the smaller things in life. And that's what makes the film so beautiful and so real. The subtlety of the comedy and romance is what makes the drama that much more bearable - which brings us back to the films central theme: coming to terms with loss and trying to move on from it. These beautiful little moments are what make the film.One might have mistaken "Moonlight Mile" for a Cameron Crowe film as music plays a vital part. The film's music is as evocative as the action on screen and the film's epic moments are emphasised by the films perfectly fitted music.This film has been overlooked and underrated, and should have received more credit. Silberling has crafted an outstanding piece of cinema, which is rich with emotion and evocatively inspiring. Some cynics may find the film too sentimental and will claim they predicted the entire movie, but if one is able to ignore the odd mushy moment (there's one or two), "Moonlight Mile" is a cinematic triumph. Treat yourself to this amazing film!
24 out of 33 people found the following review useful: Charming and engaging, NOT for weak-minded action nuts., 22 May 2004 Author: dragonfixer
This movie was a surprise to me. Tuned it in on HBO and enjoyed the entire movie, laughing out loud at several surprise parts. The characters run the gamut of emotions, and those who did not enjoy this movie never took the time to gauge the feelings of the characters involved. Ellen Pompeo's character is fabulous, Dustin Hoffman's whole demeanor shows a father's grief, but in his own way. I highly recommend this movie to those who take a little time to read the characters, and who don't expect the director and writer to spell it all out for them.Enjoy!
15 out of 18 people found the following review useful: Great performances highlight Moonlight Mile., 12 April 2003 Author: Li-1
*** out of ****While not quite a great movie (it just barely misses the mark), Moonlight Mile is still an excellent drama that showcases some of the finest acting talent around, wrapped amidst a beautifully told story of a young man (Jake Gyllenhaal) who's trying to do what everyone expects out of him, but against the desire of following his own heart. Moonlight Mile plays as a cathartic experience. The premise bears truth to it, as it parallels writer/director Brad Siberling's own real-life experience when his girlfriend was murdered by an obsessive fan. But most importantly, almost every part of this movie feels natural in its emotions and storytelling, not the result of some sentimental hackjob put together by a big studio. Siberling's intent is to portray a normal family dealing with life, loss, and love and whatever obstacles may come their way and he does a fine job of it.There are moments Moonlight Mile doesn't entirely ring true, but those moments are glossed over by the acting. From Gyllenhaal to Ellen Pompeo to Dustin Hoffman and Susan Sarandon, the cast is uniformly superb. Even though the climax is set in a courtroom (typically the setting for cliche hell in dramas), Gyllenhaal's emotional outpour makes the scene work almost magnificently. An admittedly very irksome element of the film is the score, which is yet again another rip-off of the music to American Beauty. Moonlight Mile's straightforward, honest approach doesn't match the quirky tone of the score, resulting in a few off-kilter moments of balance. But otherwise, this is a first-rate, truthful drama, and certainly superior to the overrated and similary themed In the Bedroom.
11 out of 13 people found the following review useful: Fantastic film with even more fantastic acting!!!, 3 June 2005 Author: luce_857 from United Kingdom
This film is perfect if your looking for a good cry but with some humorous bits too, in fact this films got everything you want in a drama, joy, sadness, hope, fear the lot. OK this movie is not for everyone some people are bound to find it really boring and a bit of a drag so if you into all action and full of energy kind of films then I would advise you not to even consider this but to all the people who are into dramas or Jake Gyllenhaal then I would recommend this movie 100%. The acting is truly amazing, they are all really believable as the roles they are playing. Dustin Hoffman and Susan Sarandon as the parents of their murdered daughter, Ben and Jo Jo, clinging on to her fiancée as they feel he is a big part of her and don't want to see him leave them too, while Jake Gyllenhaal as the part of Joe the nearly son-and -law to Ben and Jo,Jo, who tries to be perfect for them and be everything he wants them to be despite what he wants..which he really doesn't even know..he's confused..doesn't know what he wants to do in life. As he said, "I want to figure out what I want to do". This film is truly beautiful and shows deep emotion that isn't in any way corny.A film that I think is very underrated.To be honest I saw it for Jake Gyllenhaal but after seeing it it is now one of my favourite Jake films.I loved it!
8 out of 9 people found the following review useful: Surprisingly good indie with an amazing cast, 4 July 2005 Author: Travis_Bickle01
When I first started watching this movie I was a bit confused. I had expected some drama and romance, but instead it looked like a comedy! But when I kept watching, I realised I was wrong, although I have to admit that the first half an hour is rather comedy than drama.Anyway, "Moonlight Mile" is highly enjoyable. What exactly makes this movie so great? It's the acting. The cast is outstanding. Susan Sarandon and Dustin Hoffman are truly amazing as always. Jake Gyllenhaal, who we know from "Donnie Darko", was excellent as well. But, like I already said, Hoffman and Sarandon are the true stars in this one. They were both so funny from time to time! "Moonlight Mile" is definitely worth watching! A true indie with great performances!8/10
3 out of 3 people found the following review useful: Susan Sarandon a knockout in this performance., 29 September 2002 Author: Brigid O Sullivan (wisewebwoman) from Toronto, Canada
*** This review may contain spoilers ***
She adds total believability as the mother of the murdered daughter. ***Minor spoilers***There was loads to like in this movie, but Jake Gyllenhaal's performance was not one of them, unfortunately. His likeness to Tobey Maguire distracts me and also there was not much to his dialogue in this, he sat, reacted and stared emotionally a lot, which I have seen him do in other movies. Maybe he just has a one note performance that he totes around from movie to movie. He has one brilliant scene however, and this one is not the one in the courtroom that some reviewers loved. This is a scene at a dinner party and it is beautifully scripted and timed. Dustin Hoffman was very good in his role and I really liked how everything was so beautifully understated. Dabney Coleman in a small role was wonderful. I also loved how the compassion and need between Joe and Bertie was managed but I did not like the resolution at the end, I felt cheated. How many words had Bertie and Joe exchanged to make the possibility of a relationship credible ? The lust I can understand, the shared grief also, but "a drop everything and take off together" ending was the easy way out for the script writer for it seems that is what we demand in our movies today. 7 out of 10
3 out of 4 people found the following review useful: Assemblage of truths and emotions, 12 August 2003 Author: Parry-3
Not reality! As we all know by now, movies are incapable of conveying reality, only truths are allowed to enter this strange universe of would-be fiction and would-be reality."Moonlight Mile" reserves itself to be on the side of truths drenched in emotions that might seem contrived and sappy, but are nevertheless truthful. The movies story, about people's grieve and solitude, is conveyed by a ensemble of brilliant actors, a script that's cheesy at times, but honest all the way, and a director that never succumbs to a mere show-off of soap-opera glitz as so many other reviewers have remarked.You may never get past the "kitsch" when dealing with emotions, just as you've always have some people who feel patronized by these emotions. Everyone has their own favorite movies that stir their inner self the most. I can therefore only recommend "Moonlight Mile" as an example of pure emotions poured on screen. Something that will always divide an audience. Thank God, it's a lot better than this Prozac-State of apathy so many movies leave you with these days. Quite a gem.
1 out of 1 people found the following review useful: Maybe Moonlight kilometer, 31 March 2003 Author: jaj5zh from Charlottesville, VA
This movie had a tremendous amount of potential, but I thought it missed the mark considerably. I've seen reviews that called Jake Gyllenhaal's performance inspired, but I tired of his expressionless state of "stunnedness" after the first half hour. I suppose it made his testimony more powerful in contrast, but by then, it was too late. This was another movie that made the soundtrack too much a part of the experience. That worked for "The Big Chill" (though I can't really watch that movie anymore either!), but was obtrusive here -- great as some of the songs were. I thought Hoffman's and Sarandon's awesome talents were wasted on this one.
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