Down in the Valley (2005)

Director:

David Jacobson

Writer:

David Jacobson (writer)

Release Date:

9 December 2005 (Sweden)

Genre:

Drama | Romance | Thriller

Tagline:

Sometimes it's hard to find your way...

Plot:

Set in the present-day San Fernando Valley, the project revolves around a delusional man who believes he's a cowboy and the relationship that he starts with a rebellious young woman.

Plot Keywords:

Valley | Cowboy | Beach | South Dakota | Cowboy Hat

Awards:

2 wins

Cast

Edward Norton	...	Harlan
Evan Rachel Wood	...	Tobe
David Morse	...	Wade
Rory Culkin	...	Lonnie
Bruce Dern	...	Charlie
John Diehl	...	Steve
Geoffrey Lewis	...	Sheridan
Elizabeth Peña	...	Gale
Kat Dennings	...	April
Hunter Parrish	...	Kris
Aviva	...	Sherri
Aaron Fors	...	Jeremy
Heather Ashleigh	...	Shell
Jennifer Echols	...	Rita
Cesar Flores	...	Hispanic Kid (as Cesar D. Flores)

MPAA:

Rated R for violence, sexual content, language and drug use.

Runtime:

Japan:112 min | USA:114 min | Argentina:114 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Sweden:11 | France:-12 | Ireland:15A | USA:R | Norway:15 | Finland:K-15 | Germany:12 | Singapore:M18 | Argentina:13 | South Korea:15 | Australia:M | UK:15

Filming Locations:

Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

Element Films

Trivia:

The $8 million budget was financed by a wealthy producer-financier, Sam Nazarian of Element Films.

Goofs:

Factual errors: While Harlan is teaching Lonnie to shoot, he tells the boy that the design of the Colt Peacemaker revolver has never changed since the gun first came out in 1873. In actuality, the Peacemaker underwent several significant changes in the late 1800s. These included a re-designed base pin retainer, an updated ejector rod, and a switch from wood to hard rubber as the standard grip material.

Quotes:

Harlan: I've tried living down in the valley again, really tried this time. Walked up and down it looking for one open face, but most people I've meet hardly seem like human beings to me anymore.

Movie Connections:

References Deliverance (1972)

Soundtrack:

Look on Down From the Bridge

Challenging and Rewarding

I had the opportunity to see this film at Cannes and then again at it's 'real' debut at the LA Film Festival. What a difference! Apparently the filmmakers were anxious to get to Cannes and had not finished the editing. Although I liked it before-- this version really hits the spot without the confusing extras that were still at Cannes. I'm glad I gave it a second chance and in fact I'm now anxious to see it again when it's released. The film is very layered and subtle. It is beautifully shot and the four main characters are original and yet painfully familiar in their alienation, anger, and despair. The Cowboy character played by Edward Norton seems so simple at first but as he is drawn into the family his character and the truth of his 'being' gradually unravels in ways that left me speechless at the end of the film. The character played by Rory Culkin, "Twig", says very little throughout the film and yet he conveys a sense of yearning and loneliness almost too painful to bare. But even he undergoes an unexpected transformation by the end of the film. My favorite though, was Evan Rachel Wood. I think she steals the show... without trying at all. Her emotions and rebelliousness are raw and totally authentic. She is a luminous creature on the screen. Her relationship with the Cowboy seemed unlikely at first and then became completely believable, especially in the bathtub scene. My main criticism is that the film is demanding. If you're not in the mood to sink into a fairly deep experience with some shocking moments and unpredictable outcomes--don't waste your time. This is a film for lovers of independent film and psychological kinds of cinema. There are also several scenes that border on surrealism. I'd be interested to know more about the making of this film and look forward to the DVD. I imagine this film may take awhile to be discovered but it holds tremendous rewards for those patient and thoughtful enough to venture into it.