Getrennte Wege

Spare yourself the pretension on this one.

You'll know in the first couple of minutes - when there is an excruciatingly tedious camera pan thru the home set to a soap-opera-worthy piano accompaniment - that it's not gonna be good; ever heard the term "engaging"? Well this one's the antonym.

Goldblum's basically just playing Goldblum, still again.

It's so bad there are frequent character voice overs - underscored by a sparring saxophone and oboe trills - to make sure to explain to you how "sensitive" these male characters all are in their inner most thoughts.

Of course, since it is basically a male story, and most of the main male characters are wusses, in all male bonding moments - in bars and all, don't you know - they start completely unnecessarily swearing and spewing sexually disparaging language like he-man sailors, or at least the probably solidly suburban-bred scriptwriters' idea of such - while jovially slapping street guys heartily on the back, but not too hard.

It's all awful - the story is ridiculous, the acting is SOOO self-aware, the script is painfully stilted - it's all just awful.

Spoilers? Why bother, the whole's thing's just rancid.

So, guess what, I don't recommend this one. Lol :-)

I do not like to look at ratings or reviews most of the time, because they are usually from people who simply look at the box cover, actors or are close-minded. Usually very out-of-touch and emotionless viewers also who will never get or understand a movie like this. I have seen it several times, and along with the beautiful piano piece during the beginning, and John Gorka's "I'm From New Jersey" at the end credits, the movie is very mysteriously beautiful and human. This is made for those who have been through events or things in their life that few, if any will grasp or understand. I am also a Christian, and I get some of the symbolism and meanings of human love, heartaches, loneliness and the need for togetherness. I like the way there is narration, and a sense of longing and falling into the scenes. Timeless movie that is hard to find on DVD, since it was originally VHS, being in 1992. I have the rare laser disc print and the DVD, along with the VHS.

You pick up the video box of "Fathers and Sons" and what do you see? The names Jeff Goldblum, Rosanna Arquette, Famke Janssen, Samuel Jackson on the cover, and a plot description that vaguely mentions a serial killer and something about psychic powers. And then you see the film and what do you get? An anti-drug/coming-of-age/father-and-son-relationship drama, where the killer/"psychic powers" plot angle seems to be an afterthought, and is resolved in a ludicrous "thriller" climax. The movie does have its pluses: good-looking cinematography, some offbeat touches, a fairly good performance by the kid, the interest of seeing a very beautiful pre-"Goldeneye" Famke Janssen in her first movie role. But mostly it's slow, meandering and blah, and apart from Goldblum (who is the lead) all the other actors I mentioned above are wasted in throwaway roles. (**)

One of the best movies I've ever seen. A perfect example of an overlooked film that is too complex and beautiful for American cinema goers. In fact I thought it was made by a European.

In this 1992 film, Jeff Goldblum and Rory Cochrane star as a father and son who, despite having a somewhat strained relationship, are bought together by a strange and dangerous ordeal. Directed by Paul Mones, the film takes place in a Jersey beach town where most people seem to live normal, ordinary lives. Right from the start, Max and Ed are very intuitive. They're both in touch with their feelings and the world around them. But its the eerie presence of a mysterious shore killer with an uncanny appearance that causes them to feel on edge and drift into an imaginary world. As the killer encounters Max and Ed at different times, they begin to have moments of ESP. The killer seems drawn to Max and Ed in a way that's creepy and unsettling. He appears out of nowhere and always manages to be in the same place at the same time. When Eddie is attacked in the end, its Max's sudden intuition that saves his life.

The dialogue between the characters is good. In addition, the dialogue that was read from the book "Cats & Dogs" was very intriguing. The author of the book whose name is Isaac is someone not heard of by any of the characters, although its possible that the author might be the killer himself. As several of the characters recite passages from the book, it becomes clear that what they're reading is having a dynamic effect on them. The art of communicating without speaking and "joining a universal community" are themes from the book. Its great to see the characters particularly Ed develop a deeper understanding of what these ideas are about even though the intentions of the author are ominous and insincere.

The relationship between Max and Ed is good to watch Both of them are connected in such a way that is deep and profound. Its wonderful how Max's sudden intuition bought them closer together in the end. Jeff Goldblum is great as the loving father trying to establish a closer bond with his son. Rory Cochrane gives a decent performance as the distant and somewhat rebellious teenage son.

Through solid directing, Paul Mones does a fantastic job in demonstrating the mental and emotional similarities between Max and Ed. In addition, he not only shows how meaningful any relationship can be but he also shows how tragedy can bring a family closer together, forcing them to love and appreciate each other a lot more.