The most surprising thing about this movie is who it's about. As the biggest-name star, Rip Torn gets top billing as Alan, an aging and very successful Memphis music producer lauded as a living legend because he was part of the great cross-fertilization of black and white musical styles that occurred in the 50s and 60s; but the movie really belongs to Dina Korzun as Laura, his much younger Russian girlfriend. In fact "Laura" was the movie's original title. She's a songwriter, and "Forty Shades of Blue" is a song she writes in the course of the movie. She's blue because her relationship with Alan is reaching a crisis point, and that crisis is at the center of the story.
Alan's son Michael (Darren Burrows) comes for a visit to participate in an awards ceremony honoring Alan. The father-son relationship is contentious, and Michael is the other principal character in the drama.
It's a very believably realistic drama, with a well-written screenplay that repays attention. All the acting is excellent, and Rip Torn in particular is terrific.
There's a good deal of music in the movie, and it's a pleasure. The movie opens with "It's Over" by Ben E. King, and closes with another oldie (over the closing credits). In between there's some very enjoyable live music provided by the likes of Memphis session man Jim Dickinson, playing one of Alan's musician friends.
This movie has no guns, no bombs, no mortal combat, no car chases. Those who find movies lacking those elements boring should look elsewhere. But for those who appreciate a well-observed and quietly simmering character study, in which illumination comes through a gradual accumulation of detail, it's a rewarding and affecting experience.
Alan's son Michael (Darren Burrows) comes for a visit to participate in an awards ceremony honoring Alan. The father-son relationship is contentious, and Michael is the other principal character in the drama.
It's a very believably realistic drama, with a well-written screenplay that repays attention. All the acting is excellent, and Rip Torn in particular is terrific.
There's a good deal of music in the movie, and it's a pleasure. The movie opens with "It's Over" by Ben E. King, and closes with another oldie (over the closing credits). In between there's some very enjoyable live music provided by the likes of Memphis session man Jim Dickinson, playing one of Alan's musician friends.
This movie has no guns, no bombs, no mortal combat, no car chases. Those who find movies lacking those elements boring should look elsewhere. But for those who appreciate a well-observed and quietly simmering character study, in which illumination comes through a gradual accumulation of detail, it's a rewarding and affecting experience.