The lives of two lovelorn spouses from separate marriages, a registered sex offender, and a disgraced ex-police officer intersect as they struggle to resist their vulnerabilities and temptat... Read allThe lives of two lovelorn spouses from separate marriages, a registered sex offender, and a disgraced ex-police officer intersect as they struggle to resist their vulnerabilities and temptations in suburban Massachusetts.The lives of two lovelorn spouses from separate marriages, a registered sex offender, and a disgraced ex-police officer intersect as they struggle to resist their vulnerabilities and temptations in suburban Massachusetts.
- Nominated for 3 Oscars
- 20 wins & 61 nominations total
- Cheryl
- (as Marsha Dietlein Bennett)
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaAfter accepting the role of Sarah, Kate Winslet suggested Patrick Wilson for Brad.
- GoofsWhen Larry references the mall shooting he says the boys were playing with an air gun at the Big 5. Big 5 Sporting Goods stores do not exist east of Texas, while the story takes place in Massachusetts.
- Quotes
May McGorvey: You're a miracle, Ronnie. We're all miracles. Know why? Because as humans, every day we go about our business, and all that time we know... we all know... that the things we love... the people we love, at any time now can all be taken away. We live knowing that and we keep going anyway. Animals don't do that.
- SoundtracksFly Me to the Moon (In Other Words)
(1954)
Written by Bart Howard
Conducted and Performed by Sam Nestico (as Sammy Nestico)
The story on one level is exceedingly banal: it shifts from scene to scene exposing the triviality of day to day life. Yet there is that haunting sound of an approaching train. Are we witnessing a train wreck? The brilliant use of a narrator lulls us into the belief that this is just a children's story and nothing bad will happen. Yet our eyes are glued to the screen as we await the crash.
Jackie Earle Haley as Ronnie exposes everything that is wrong with our modern world and everything that is right about character acting. He gives a stand out performance definitely worthy of Oscar consideration. The character represents an unknown evil in our community, one that must be sought out and destroyed. His character at times is sympathetic, even lovable and other other times hideous and menacing.
But who is more detestable? Is it Ronnie or is it those infinitely boring (but beautiful) adulterers, Sarah (Kate Winslet) or Brad (Patrick Wilson)? Is it up to us to judge? If we do, are we not being like the suburban community that is the metaphor for our society? In that way, Director Todd Fields includes us in the movie whether we know it or not. This is a wonderful (train) ride that will keep us talking for days. It is one of this year's great movies.
- conlaw
- Oct 20, 2006
Details
Box office
- Budget
- $26,000,000 (estimated)
- Gross US & Canada
- $5,463,019
- Opening weekend US & Canada
- $97,953
- Oct 8, 2006
- Gross worldwide
- $14,821,658
- Runtime2 hours 17 minutes
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 2.39 : 1