I have to say that I've become a little obsessed with this film. I saw it for the first time yesterday - it's free through my on-demand digital cable. So I watched most of it again tonight, fast forwarding through the scenes I didn't want to see. I had heard about it years ago, and remembered thinking it might be entertaining. It's a mixed bag - not without its flaws, and some clichéd characters, but entertaining and an interesting story overall. What I love most are all the scenes between the 28-year-old male central character (Timothy Hutton) and 13-year-old girl (Natalie Portman)infatuated with each other. Don't be alarmed. It's strictly platonic,but the filming, acting, dialogue, even staging/choreography (what is it called for films?) associated with those scenes is just poetic. And sweetly sad.
The story is fairly standard - a young man (Timothy Hutton playing Willie) returns to his small hometown for some soul searching/guidance about his direction in life, as well as his 10-year high school reunion He has been living in New York City as a struggling pianist, and is at a crossroads with his girlfriend of 11 months, lawyer Tracy (played by Annabeth Gish). He reunites and hangs out with his old buddies, played raucously by Matt Dillon, Noah Emmerich, Michael Rapaport and Max Perlich. There is the standard hanging out and drinking, and more drinking. The loves and tribulations of his buddies propel much of the plot forward. However, the crux of the film is Willie's conflicts about how to proceed forward (should he marry Tracy? is she really the "One"? should he quit trying to make it as a pianist, and just take a sales job?). And this crisis is sort of given form (in my opinion) in this interaction which blossoms into something more between Willie and Marty (Portman's character).
I became an instant fan of Timothy Hutton after watching this film. He actually shares excellent chemistry with Natalie Portman. A bit weird, because I think they were actually around 36 and 15 respectively when this film came out. What's funny is that usually in films, the young kid has the inappropriate crush on the adult, which then resolves itself magically somehow. Or it's just a case of straight-up pedophelia (sp?). In this case, he seems to fall first for her precocious wit and cutting, insightful banter, and is obviously disturbed by it. She also is attracted to him - as she tells him, she has an "old soul." And when she in fact declares her feelings to him in her vivacious charming way. Timothy Hutton's laugh and expression are priceless - a perfect mixture of amusement, guilt, embarrassment, surprise and of course, longing/fascination. I absolutely loved his illustration of the impossibility of their situation with the Winnie the Pooh and Christopher Robin story (the ending of which I didn't know until I saw this film). I also liked how the actors always maintained an awkward air and careful distance in the scenes. It added a great deal of impact.
I think this love story is probably the purest sort of love I've ever seen in a Hollywood film - his attraction didn't begin on the physical level, and hers was just as pure, coming from a 13-year-old, although she was not your average 13 year old. Natalie Portman played the role perfectly. This attraction remain unrealized, and was thus preserved. A bit sad.
But very watchable. Highly recommended for those scenes, if you like that sort of poignancy. The acting all around is top rate in this film, but Timothy Hutton seems to inhabit his character completely. He portrays specific mannerisms, expressions and actions which perfectly convey his characters exasperation, with a subtle angst. He usually has this slight amused smile, which seems to be Willie's little foible. I have watched this film numerous times, and usually stare at Timothy Hutton whenever he's on screen, even when he's not the center of action or dialogue. It actually made me a little envious that I'm too old to try and become an actor. He was very inspiring.
The story is fairly standard - a young man (Timothy Hutton playing Willie) returns to his small hometown for some soul searching/guidance about his direction in life, as well as his 10-year high school reunion He has been living in New York City as a struggling pianist, and is at a crossroads with his girlfriend of 11 months, lawyer Tracy (played by Annabeth Gish). He reunites and hangs out with his old buddies, played raucously by Matt Dillon, Noah Emmerich, Michael Rapaport and Max Perlich. There is the standard hanging out and drinking, and more drinking. The loves and tribulations of his buddies propel much of the plot forward. However, the crux of the film is Willie's conflicts about how to proceed forward (should he marry Tracy? is she really the "One"? should he quit trying to make it as a pianist, and just take a sales job?). And this crisis is sort of given form (in my opinion) in this interaction which blossoms into something more between Willie and Marty (Portman's character).
I became an instant fan of Timothy Hutton after watching this film. He actually shares excellent chemistry with Natalie Portman. A bit weird, because I think they were actually around 36 and 15 respectively when this film came out. What's funny is that usually in films, the young kid has the inappropriate crush on the adult, which then resolves itself magically somehow. Or it's just a case of straight-up pedophelia (sp?). In this case, he seems to fall first for her precocious wit and cutting, insightful banter, and is obviously disturbed by it. She also is attracted to him - as she tells him, she has an "old soul." And when she in fact declares her feelings to him in her vivacious charming way. Timothy Hutton's laugh and expression are priceless - a perfect mixture of amusement, guilt, embarrassment, surprise and of course, longing/fascination. I absolutely loved his illustration of the impossibility of their situation with the Winnie the Pooh and Christopher Robin story (the ending of which I didn't know until I saw this film). I also liked how the actors always maintained an awkward air and careful distance in the scenes. It added a great deal of impact.
I think this love story is probably the purest sort of love I've ever seen in a Hollywood film - his attraction didn't begin on the physical level, and hers was just as pure, coming from a 13-year-old, although she was not your average 13 year old. Natalie Portman played the role perfectly. This attraction remain unrealized, and was thus preserved. A bit sad.
But very watchable. Highly recommended for those scenes, if you like that sort of poignancy. The acting all around is top rate in this film, but Timothy Hutton seems to inhabit his character completely. He portrays specific mannerisms, expressions and actions which perfectly convey his characters exasperation, with a subtle angst. He usually has this slight amused smile, which seems to be Willie's little foible. I have watched this film numerous times, and usually stare at Timothy Hutton whenever he's on screen, even when he's not the center of action or dialogue. It actually made me a little envious that I'm too old to try and become an actor. He was very inspiring.