Laurel Canyon (2002)

User Rating:

6.5/10   

Director:

Lisa Cholodenko

Writer (WGA):

Lisa Cholodenko (written by)

Release Date:

5 June 2003 (Israel)

Genre:

Drama | Music

Tagline:

On the road to the perfect life, Sam & Alex took a little detour.

Plot:

When an uptight young man and his fiancee move into his libertine mother's house, the resulting clash of life attitudes shakes everyone up.

Plot Keywords:

Psychiatrist | Sex | Mental Patient | Recording Studio | Ménage À Trois

Awards:

2 wins & 5 nominations

Cast

Frances McDormand	...	Jane
Christian Bale	...	Sam
Kate Beckinsale	...	Alex
Natascha McElhone	...	Sara
Alessandro Nivola	...	Ian McKnight
Lou Barlow	...	Fripp (as Louis Knox Barlow)
Russell Pollard	...	Rowan
Imaad Wasif	...	Dean
Mickey Petralia	...	Mickey
Melissa De Sousa	...	Claudia
Alexandra Carter	...	Darla
Michelle DeMirjian	...	China (as Michelle Demirjian)
Rick Gonzalez	...	Wyatt
Dennis Howard	...	Mr. Elliot
Catherine McGoohan	...	Mrs. Elliot

MPAA:

Rated R for sexuality, language and drug use.

Runtime:

103 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

New Zealand:R16 | Finland:K-11 | Iceland:12 | Malaysia:18PL | Australia:MA | Denmark:7 | Germany:12 | Norway:15 | Singapore:R(A) | Sweden:7 | UK:18 | USA:R | Argentina:13 | Canada:AA

Filming Locations:

Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

Antidote Films (I)

Trivia:

Red Hot Chili Peppers appear among the musicians in Jane's photo gallery too.

Goofs:

Continuity: The album-wrap party takes place in a suite on an upper floor of the Chateau Marmont (we see Ian order more champagne for the "penthouse suite", and the view from the balcony is clearly an upper floor). Yet when Sam storms out of the suite, then runs downstairs while arguing with Jane, they only descend one flight before reaching the lobby. There is a cut, but the dialog implies that no time was cut from their descent.

Quotes:

Sara: [on the phone with Sam] I can't control my heart... I wouldn't want to, even if I could.

Movie Connections:

Featured in The 2004 IFP/West Independent Spirit Awards (2004) (TV)

Soundtrack:

In a Funny Way

Superb ensemble performances by some of the most interesting actors working today.

LAUREL CANYON written and directed by Lisa Cholodenko is a film I highly recommend. From it's sexy comedic opening scene with a jarring telephone, to the closing, again featuring Chrisian Bale floating in a rather interesting swimming pool, this film features superb performaces by some of the most interesting actors working today such as Mr. Bale, Frances McDormand, Kate Beckinsale, Natascha McElhone and Alessandro Nivola. Ms. Cholodenko should be credited by writing and directing a film that will take you comfortably along for an interesting ride that stretches from Cambridge, Massachusetts through the by-roads of the hills of Los Angeles. This is a very human film, and the actors are allowed to do what they do best, namely perform in this well written, expertly crafted movie. Film aficionados should flock to this one. Enjoy!

Jeremiah Newton