|
Cast
and Credits
Todd Louiso (Director)
Philip Seymour Hoffman (Wilson Joel)
Kathy Bates (Mary Ann Bankhead)
Sarah Koskoff (Maura Haas)
Stephen Tobolowsky (Tom Bailey)
Jack Kehler (Denny)
Visit
the official Love Liza website
|
| |
Ladies
and gentlemen, boys and girls, this might possibly be the
saddest, most heartfelt, and emotionally pulverizing movie
from the past few years, and that includes "Life
As A House", "Moonlight
Mile", and even "Schindler's
List". I absolutely found this film to be riveting
and so unique in the way it shows loss and redemption and
finding comfort in others. Philip Seymour Hoffman is a
genius, and this film is his best ever, a true testament to
his talent and to his drive; this film took four years to
finish.
Philip Seymour Hoffman stars as Wilson Joel, a website
designer, who is dealt a horrifying blow. His wife
commits suicide. We then follow Wilson through his grief
process. All the while, he carries an unopened letter
from his deceased wife, Liza, too afraid to open it and read
the words within. He becomes addicted to huffing
gasoline, and starts associating with radio-control/boat and
plan enthusiasts, trying to find something to take his mind
off the pain. He knows all the while that only reading
the letter will help him heal, but he just can't bring himself
to do it. Throughout this period, he is constantly
avoiding a confrontation with his mother-in-law, played by the
flawless Kathy Bates in another Oscar worthy performance--this
is possibly her best role to date.
The performance was Philip Seymour Hoffman is almost indescribable.
I hate to do this far out on a limb, but this might be one of
the best acting performances of all-time, from any actor.
He so perfectly captures the despair and longing behind his
character, that we sympathize with him all the way and feel
everything he is feeling at face value. When he finally
goes to see Kathy Bates, our hearts are bleeding from the
moment they meet until the moment they part. This is
everything a dramatic motion picture is suppose to be.
I don't know if this will be on my best of list for next year,
because I think this qualifies as a last year contender.
If so, this one would replace my current number one.
This is a powerful movie going experience and one of the
finest directing debuts of all-time, from the gifted Todd
Louiso. I recommend this film to anyone and everyone who
wants to be affected in a positive way by a film. If
this review has not been enough to make you rush to go out and
see this when it goes wide, then I don't know what else to do
other than to say you would be missing out on a triumph; a
truly mesmerizing film.
-- Billy
Ray ( 4 pops out of 4 pops )
Talk
about this film with other Popkorn Junkies |
|
Other Junkie's
opinions.....
None yet.
|
|
