Lymelife

Lymelife is one of those films you have to see twice in order to catch every detailed corner of the screen and every tick (pun intended) in all of the actors performances. The plot exists solely as an excuse to explore these fascinating, complex characters much like Martin Scorsese's Mean Streets. No coincidence he is a producer of the film. It captures a time and a place with ease but never smothers you in hokum. Standout performances upon second viewing go to Rory Culkin as the film's central character, a tall order for a youngster who carries the first twenty minutes of the film by observing and not saying too much. And that is the brilliance in the performance which he pulls off with ease and is extremely compelling in doing so. Alec Baldwin does his thing to a point. When everything goes downhill for him it is heartbreaking. Baldwin hasn't played a role like this in ages and it's great to see him back at it. Another is Timothy Hutton. An example of how confident this director is in his first film, he again uses very little dialogue and almost no exposition to establish Hutton's character's duality. He serves a a real person who suffers in silence, while somehow managing to provide a few gems of hilarious humor. He also serves as the film's theme, which really hit home the second time around. The first time the film is so engaging, especially in the way it is set up, that I found myself slightly behind most of the characters. Playing catch up is a great device that Martini uses to keep you fully engaged throughout the entire film. I really don't know how he did it with this human drama that has quite a bit of humor in it. This device is useful for a mystery type film, but somehow Martini manages to use it here to magnificent effect when applying it to his characters. To not spoil, my feeling on the ending is it is another risky choice that pays off. It is bold and beautiful. I did not want to leave the theater. Briefly, this is a must see, and I would not be surprised if some nominations come its way. Great work.

As a fan of both indies and blockbusters, I see them all. I recently discovered IMDb, which will now allow me to pare down some of the waste of indies I frequent. A "critic's" review is usually unreliable, but the boards here have multiple opinions from real film goers which I find to be incredible informative. That being said I'd like to point out Lymelife. Executive produced by Martin Scorsese, starring Alec Baldwin, Timothy Hutto, Rory Culkin, Emma Roberts, Kieran Culkin, Jill Hennesy and Cynthia Nixon. The local critic gave it four stars but went on to say the film was unoriginal. Then why give it four stars? My case in point on critics. Meanwhile I read raves on several other indies for being more original but when I went to see them, I was deeply disappointed. Lymelife was the last one I saw and clearly the best of the bunch. Is it a perfect film? I'd say it's as close as you can get on a small budget. The acting is riveting. The "unoriginal" story is actually told in a very fresh, imaginative and engaging way. Which, in my opinion, makes it incredibly original. Especially impressive is it was made by a first time director and every actor seemed to bring something new to their range. Even the award winning Baldwin. When you think he's done everything one can do as a performer, think again. He deftly balances cockiness with humor, intense rage and real life sadness. This is the best work I have ever seen him do. Sure this film is sweeping the nation in a small way and many won't get around to seeing it until it's on DVD, which is a shame because the cinematography is beautiful old fashioned wide screen, but I urge all to see it when the opportunity is there. One more thing I must add is the rapid fire, tension filled ending. Again, the easy way out of this story would have been to show a bloody massacre. But the story teases you into assuming the absolute worst outcome. I can't say the outcome for this group of characters is the best of all worlds, but I will say, without ruining it, that it is a masterful ending sequence that uses no dialogue and leaves you on the edge of your seat.

"You can take the girl outta Queens, am I right?" Mickey Bartlett (Alec Baldwin as Mickey Bartlett) Dysfunctional families as a theme reached its apotheosis ten years ago in Sam Mendes' American Beauty, a rich blend of realism and fancy involving real estate, coming of age, and infidelity. Just about the same territory is covered in Derick Martini's Lymelife, only this time the metaphors seem forced, the characters less developed, and the denouement less ambiguous. Lymelife, however, is a quality addition to the deconstruction of the American dream. It's 1979 America, and Mickey Bartlett (Alec Baldwin) has a burgeoning business developing upscale homes on Long Island. His family life is in decline as witnessed by 15 year old central character Jimmy Bartlett (Kieran Culkin), the only one whose prospects with babe next door, Adrianna Bragg (Emma Roberts), get better with each of his endearing humiliations. Mickey is a philanderer (he is played by Baldwin, after all), a spendthrift, and family neglecter, all of which must be addressed by the film's ambitious albeit incomplete plot. The story moves gently but inexorably to a strong conclusion, where things seem to settle into their appointed fates, more an affirmation that American life between here and American Beauty hasn't changed much with its defeats and victories abundant. While Lymelife (a reference to the disease present in Long Island and a cumbersome metaphor) gains no new insights about our materialism and sexual exploration, it does present a true look at a time when this American life might have been more complicated than it is now.

Going into this film I knew a little about it, so give you a good idea on what it's about, though I'll just say this is a coming of age film set in the late 70's in Long Island. Kieran Culkin stars in this impressive debut film from filmmakers Derek and Steve Martini, he plays Jimmy Bartlett a normal high schooler that fantasizes about the girl next door, gets beat up and has to deal with his parents and all their drama. I really liked this movie I found it to be heartwarming and funny at times but when I say heartwarming I don't mean in a corny way, you really grow to care about these people. The film has really nice direction, that isn't too flashy, think The Ice Storm meets Scorsese. The music is really good and they use an number of great songs from the period, from Boston to Bob Dylan to Elton John and even some old Scorsese-esquire Motown. The reason to see this film isn't for the direction or cinematography both are nice though. The reason to see this film is for the excellent script and perfect acting. Alec Baldwin and Timothy Hutton are great but the real standout performances come from Jill Hennessey who I want to see more of after this, Kieran Culkin, Rory Culkin channeling a young Deniro and Emma Roberts. Emma Roberts is known for doing family movies and TV shows but after this I feel like she's destined to be one best American actresses of her generation if she can just do more movies like this, shes really lovely an charming and I need to see her in more movies like this. This isn't the best film of the year and it might not even make my top ten but I really enjoyed this film, being a huge fan of Scorsese I loved all the little homages to him and being a big fan of The Ice Storm a far more serious film, this film really worked for me and I can definitely see myself buying this on DVD and showing it to friends. I really hope this movie does well enough so that it gets a wider release because I think if people just gave this film a chance they would love it too, don't take my word for it go out and see it. Also I felt an affinity to the main character, a lot of what he went through I went through too at that point in my life. Lymelife isn't your typical coming of age indie dramedy,if you liked The Ice Storm or Scorsese I think you'll like this. Highly recommended.

And I guess it will be me... This is a plodding film of dysfunctional characters that bored me with their dull, pathetic lives. Every part of this film is at fault here, from the endless anachronisms for 1979 (houses with vinyl siding not available until the 1990s, references to the Falkland war in 1982, Princess Diana style puffed sleeved party dresses from 1981...) to the Alec Baldwin Long Islander bad dad character he has pulled out of his hat on several B movie occasions. This film does not have the depth or pathos of American Beauty nor the intelligence or humour of Juno - two films it is commonly held up to. I have no idea why there seems to be a small but enthusiastic following for this film as I only felt relief when it was finally over. I gave it 2, only because there weren't more Caulkins in it.

I'm still laughing at that line. In this film our anxiety ridden, introverted lead character played by Rory Culkin chooses to lie to his friends about his life long crush played by Emma Roberts. He tells them that he "fingered" her and it was "wet, like the inside of a jelly donut". It is precisely these moments in the movie Lymelife that add up to something fully engaging and startlingly funny. Something much larger than a simple story of suburban angst, families falling apart and children coming of age during the late 70's. I've read all of the Ice Storm comparisons, but I found it to be so much more interesting and realistic. And quite frankly, not only better, but very different. Ang Lee's famous film dealt with much different subject matter. The only similarity is infidelity. So what? In Lymelife it is so much more true to life. Men cheat on their wives because they're not getting what they need from them. So they are vulnerable and seek out someone else. Same goes for women. In Ice Storm it's a bunch of bored wealthy people trying to spice up their sex life. And it, of course, ends tragically. Lymelife hits you in the gut, where it hurts most, and it cleverly avoids a tragic ending and somehow makes you feel hopeful, even though there is an impending doom hanging in the air. From Culkin working himself up in his mirror, playing Han Solo, his idol, to Alec Baldwin's breakdown as a father who has helped screw up his whole family because he is blinded by keeping up with the Jonses, this film hits all the right notes, and does so with a confidence and gusto worthy of serious consideration for the Oscars. Films like this come along every so often, sometimes they're snubbed and sometimes they get their due. I really hope this one gets its due. The crowd I saw it with laughed, cried, shrieked with tension and ultimately left the theater feverishly discussing the ending of the film. Most seemed to draw their own conclusions, which seems to be the point, but I saw it as a very sophisticated reminder of what these characters have been through, how they've changed, and where they stand at the end of the story. I didn't need any more. It's a very well told tale and will definitely land on many critic's top ten lists. One more thing...there's a virginal love scene that is so carefully constructed it forces you to think about your own first time. It's hilarious, painfully awkward and most importantly it is very real.

My first time at Sundance and this was the first movie I got to see. I saw three all together. Next year I will be more prepared because all 3 films I was on the wait list line. There were 2 I didn't even get in to. This was the best film for me. Not because of the actors; they were all stupendous. But because of the story line. I actually have Lyme disease, not as bad as Timothy Hutton's character in the film, but it is an unpleasant way to live. Even when treated properly. And Timothy Hutton nails it. But again I fell for this film for the crafty story line. I love it when you think you know what's going to happen in a movie and wind up completely wrong. As soon as the movie started I was convinced for a half hour that Rory Culkin was going to get Lyme disease and that is not the case. There's even a scene where he is bitten by a tick but it turns out to be safe and the filmmaker makes it comical. I'm not for a movie about someone who has Lyme disease. I think that would be boring as hell. So I was surprised and elated when it became clear that the film was about many things. The story line comes from the characters and the choices they make or have made. Up until the very end the audience is left in an almost manic state of suspense. I kept wondering what was going to happen next all the way through the movie meanwhile continuing to laugh with these characters. I laughed in Adventureland, the other movie I saw, but not like this. I laughed during this because I didn't see certain things that I won't give away coming. It's a unique movie with one hell of an ending. You are left with a mixed feeling of sadness and happiness, and not in a contrived forced way. The film stayed with me for days after the festival ended. It is very entertaining and stunning. There are beautiful shots and great music. And there's Alec Baldwin! I am a big fan of his and it was a pleasure to see him away from 30 rock and in a movie. He steals this movie and not because he's funnier than anyone else. In fact he isn't. The Culkin Brothers are way funnier. But Baldwin does something here that is special. All of the characters are very well rounded and get to play out different sides of their characters' personalities and vulnerabilities. But no one does it with the gusto that Baldwin does. He's happy, focused, frustrated, furious (of course), yes funny too, but he's also sad and very vulnerable in a way that only Alec Baldwin can do. I can see why all these great actors signed on to this low budget affair. It's a relatable story told by very crafty filmmakers who make the actors the stars of the movie.

Finally, a movie that doesn't take itself too seriously while tackling some serious issues. As an American living in Canada I see the condition of my home country today and this film feels like a prelude, or a humorous set up to the state of the country today. It seems this is unintentional as the screenplay was written during better economic times, but it sure is a strange coincidence. The astute observation of how many Americans become consumed with success that failure becomes inevitable. And the story is told with a raw unpretensiousness that doesn't insult you. It unfolds in a credible fashion, parents bickering, kids flirting, a brutal revenge on a bully then turns as serious as it is funny. the line between serious drama and hilariouis humor is so finely balanced that it's almost surgically seamless. I like when a movie keeps me off balance and in Lymelife you never quite know if you're going to kicked in the stomach or laughing hysterically. According to IMDb the film was made in 22 days for 1 million dollars. This I don't believe. It just doesn't seem possible. But then again, you can argue that the time and money constraints forced some very clever film-making. I especially enjoyed the cuts to little model homes with little plastic people and the characters being seen in reflections, I'm assuming the idea is the people on screen are reflections of who we are. But I don't know because it's not really spelled out. I'm just using my imagination. I recommend seeing it for yourself. I may even go back again for one scene in particular between the great Timothy Hutton and the brilliant Alec Baldwin. their only time on screen together and it is not only the best scene in the film but one of the most memorable scenes in recent film history. by ex-patriot who still loves America.

The main problem with LYMELIFE is that this story was in the heads of the Martini brothers for so many years during development that when it came time to finally shoot the thing, they apparently forgot what they had only visualized umpteen times in their brains, and what they had actually FILMED. How else can they explain a movie that looks like it was produced with the Hays censorship code of 1934 in mind; a movie that alludes to illicit sex, infidelity, brooding anger, impending violence, etc., but seems to always pull back at the last instant like a thoughtless tease, culminating with a rifle shot over a fade to black (who was hit?--the doe, the cuckolding-neighbor, the daughter-popper, or, most likely, a tree?). Jason Reitman covered some of the same ground in his 2007 film JUNO, and the teen sex initiations were believable. David Gordon Green dealt with impending violence in his 2007 movie SNOW ANGELS without pulling any punches (as did Vadim Perelman in the 2007 story THE LIFE BEFORE HER EYES, and countless other directors in the modern era of flicks in a high school setting). Furthermore, Kieran Culkin's character Jimmy Bartlett clearly is supposed to be an American, so how is it that he finishes boot camp in 1979 at the beginning of the Iranian Hostage Crisis with the expectation that he's going to be "called up" any minute and transported through a wormhole to run the radar on a British aircraft carrier in the 1982 Falkland War (which has somehow been transmogrified from Britain vs. Argentina to America vs. Spain in a parallel universe of continental drift, though LYMELIFE is otherwise devoid of the science fiction elements of Richard Kelly's 2001 classic DONNIE DARKO)??!!

Lymelife is the story of a family in Long Island's suburbia during the 1970's. This movie shows us how half truths and the exclusion of detail are in fact lies and even though we don't mean them to hurt they still do. The father (Alec Baldwin) is so enraptured by the suburbia lifestyle that he's completely forgotten that it's not money that makes you happy, but family. The mother who only wants the best for her children doesn't want to raise them in this judgmental place where she can't be herself. The brother, Jimmy, (Kieran Culkin) has a typical relationship with his father where he wants to be the exact opposite of him and does so by joining the army and running away. Rory Culkin does an exquisite job starring as Scott, the main character, who is the only one who is trying to put things into perspective for everyone else whilst going through puberty and fighting his insatiable love for the girl next door who sees him as a little brother. Although all of their problems seem trivial compared to their neighbor who has lyme disease that is like a constant acid trip and is ruining his life. All in all I would highly recommend seeing this movie because as depressing as I've made it sound it is in fact quite lifting and a great piece of cinema.