The best excuse for seeing Lisa Chodolenko's Laurel Canyon is Frances McDormand. She's an actress that delivers in whatever film she ever graces with her presence.
As usual, she does a remarkable job here. Ms. McDormnad's Jane lives among a cool crowd in L.A. where everything goes, everything is possible. She is a free soul who feels right at home with the rock crowd she nurtures as a record producer, even though she has seen better days.
Into that milieu, her son, Sam, and his uppity girlfriend, arrive. They are in for a real treat. Alex, who at the beginning of the film, is so constipated and proper, begins to loosen up. Obviously, she is ripe for some fun since Sam doesn't seem to satisfy her in the sack. How could Jane had produced such a square son? She's better at producing music.
Sam didn't inherit his mom's high libido. He can't even see that Sara, the somewhat mysterious second year intern at the hospital where he is assigned, has other things in mind, besides medicine, but he is so dense, he misses all the clues given to him.
The romps at the pool and the parties of fun and games at the Chateau Marmont are very kinky indeed. Mamma-Jane and Ian, her lover de jour, are predators in search of new blood. They find out that Alex is ready to take the plunge into their game, but horror of horrors, Mamma-Jane has scruples after all.
All the players are very good. Kate Beckingsale's Alex is well drawn, as is the square Sam, played by Christian Beale. Natascha McElone and Alessandro Nivola are very effective in their roles, but without a question, it's Frances McDormand's film and it's only when she dominates the screen that things come alive.
As usual, she does a remarkable job here. Ms. McDormnad's Jane lives among a cool crowd in L.A. where everything goes, everything is possible. She is a free soul who feels right at home with the rock crowd she nurtures as a record producer, even though she has seen better days.
Into that milieu, her son, Sam, and his uppity girlfriend, arrive. They are in for a real treat. Alex, who at the beginning of the film, is so constipated and proper, begins to loosen up. Obviously, she is ripe for some fun since Sam doesn't seem to satisfy her in the sack. How could Jane had produced such a square son? She's better at producing music.
Sam didn't inherit his mom's high libido. He can't even see that Sara, the somewhat mysterious second year intern at the hospital where he is assigned, has other things in mind, besides medicine, but he is so dense, he misses all the clues given to him.
The romps at the pool and the parties of fun and games at the Chateau Marmont are very kinky indeed. Mamma-Jane and Ian, her lover de jour, are predators in search of new blood. They find out that Alex is ready to take the plunge into their game, but horror of horrors, Mamma-Jane has scruples after all.
All the players are very good. Kate Beckingsale's Alex is well drawn, as is the square Sam, played by Christian Beale. Natascha McElone and Alessandro Nivola are very effective in their roles, but without a question, it's Frances McDormand's film and it's only when she dominates the screen that things come alive.