My decision to watch this film was predicated entirely on it's cast, a stellar lineup that boasts Annette Bening, Elle Fanning, Greta Gerwig, Billy Crudup and relative newcomer Lucas jade Zumann.
Set at the tail end of the 1970's the story centers around Dorothea, a middle aged woman who is raising her teenage son in what, at the time, would be considered a fairly unconventional fashion.
Realizing that her son is coming of age and with no fraternal influence or strong male role model present she seeks the help of Abbie, a young artist who lodges with the family, along with Julie - her son's best friend, to assist in the upbringing of her 15 year old son, Jamie.
Dorothea, played by Bening, is a symphony of contradictions. All at once she is progressive and traditional. She is confident yet flaky. Bening portrays this complicated woman with such incredible conviction and poise, and despite the absence of grandstanding emotional outbursts she delivers what I believe to be an Oscar worthy performance.
Fanning and Gerwig turn in fantastic performances too, both doing so with subtlety and charm which caused me to feel genuine empathy for their troubled characters. Lucas Jade Zumann puts forth a fine turn also as the sensitive young man who is seeking to find truth in his life and frustrated at his mother's reluctance to do the same.
The film moves at mellow but fairly active pace and uses a nice technique involving duel narration from both Bening's character as well as her son. The soundtrack is also worthy of mention too. An excellent mix of songs from the period including two tracks from the Talking Heads - never a bad thing.
In all, writer & director Mike Mills manages to draw from his own experiences as a young man an produce an incredibly sweet, heartfelt and sentimental piece of work that really captures this pivotal period of history. Tackling issues such as personal identity, fear of change and what it all means to let go of the past and embrace the future. A very fine film and outstanding performances from all involved!
Set at the tail end of the 1970's the story centers around Dorothea, a middle aged woman who is raising her teenage son in what, at the time, would be considered a fairly unconventional fashion.
Realizing that her son is coming of age and with no fraternal influence or strong male role model present she seeks the help of Abbie, a young artist who lodges with the family, along with Julie - her son's best friend, to assist in the upbringing of her 15 year old son, Jamie.
Dorothea, played by Bening, is a symphony of contradictions. All at once she is progressive and traditional. She is confident yet flaky. Bening portrays this complicated woman with such incredible conviction and poise, and despite the absence of grandstanding emotional outbursts she delivers what I believe to be an Oscar worthy performance.
Fanning and Gerwig turn in fantastic performances too, both doing so with subtlety and charm which caused me to feel genuine empathy for their troubled characters. Lucas Jade Zumann puts forth a fine turn also as the sensitive young man who is seeking to find truth in his life and frustrated at his mother's reluctance to do the same.
The film moves at mellow but fairly active pace and uses a nice technique involving duel narration from both Bening's character as well as her son. The soundtrack is also worthy of mention too. An excellent mix of songs from the period including two tracks from the Talking Heads - never a bad thing.
In all, writer & director Mike Mills manages to draw from his own experiences as a young man an produce an incredibly sweet, heartfelt and sentimental piece of work that really captures this pivotal period of history. Tackling issues such as personal identity, fear of change and what it all means to let go of the past and embrace the future. A very fine film and outstanding performances from all involved!
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