Laurel Canyon Movie Review 2002

Aspiring shrink Sam (Bale) brings fiance and fellow doctor Alex (Beckinsale) home to meet mom Jane (McDormand), a bohemian record producer with a very non-maternal view of sex and drugs--she likes 'em, a lot. Sam still resents her for the way he was brought up, and she hasn't changed much, as she's currently sleeping with the young musician (Nivola) whose album she's producing. Alex is soon drawn into the care-free world around her as Sam is tempted by a collegue at work. Cholodenko tries to recreate the insight and verve of her debut, "High Art," but falls short by making the story predictable and the characters flat. The only one who comes alive is Jane, and that's due more to McDormand's performance than anything she's given to work with. Nivola has a nice turn as her beau of the month.

Distribution

Sony Pictures Home Video, Sony Pictures Plz., 10202 W. Washington Blvd., Culver City, CA 90232, Phone: (310)244-7306, Fax: (310)280-2485, URL: http://www.spe.sony.com, Remarks: Formerly Columbia Tristar Home Entertainment

Available on VHS, DVD
Running time 101 minutes.
Originally from United States.

Cast and Crew

Genres

L.A., Moms, Otherwise Engaged, Rock Flicks, Doctors & Nurses, Bisexuality, Sexcapades

Screenplay

Lisa Cholodenko

Cast

Frances McDormand, Christian Bale, Kate Beckinsale, Alessandro Nivola, Natascha (Natasha) McElhone

Cinematography

Wally Pfister

Director

Lisa Cholodenko

Music

Craig (Shudder to Think) Wedren

Other

Karyn Rachtman, Amy Duddleston, Stephanie Gilliam, Cindy Evans, Catherine Hardwicke

Producer

Susan A. Stover, Jeff Levy-Hinte, Good Machine, Tucker Tooley, Sony Pictures Classics