Signs of Life

I saw this movie on PBS the first time. Then I bought the video and watched it countless times. Every time I watch it, I can get something else out of it. It's a real testament to wanting to hold onto a life that was good, but now the world is changing. But you don't have to be older to hold onto the past, even the young characters, like Charlotte don't want things to change. The overall tone and mood is excellent. The cast is outstanding with all-stars like Kathy Bates, Beau Bridges and Arthur Kennedy. And its fun to see the upcoming stars before they hit more recognizable feature films, like Kevin J. O'Connor (The Mummy) and Vincent D'Onofrio (Men in Black and Law & Order: Criminal Intent-one of my favorite shows). Its just one of those movies that stays with you.

This unassuming sleeper is being sold as an inspirational 'feel good' movie because of a minor miracle tacked awkwardly onto the final scenes, but the film is more about those moments of transition in our lives when anything can happen, tracing 24 fateful hours in the life (and death) of an old New England shipyard facing imminent closure. It's the sort of small town, ensemble character drama where the writing and acting are more than usually critical, and (fortunately) this one has both: an original, unpredictable script and a strong cast led by veteran Arthur Kennedy, still a tough bird at age 75. Under John David Coles' direction the film is delicate but never fragile, sensitive but never sentimental, and whimsical without ever losing its grip on reality. Because it doesn't call much attention to itself some word of mouth would clearly have helped the film reach an audience but, considering the throwaway release it received, viewers today will have a difficult time tracking it down

I first saw "Signs of Life" on PBS as an American Playhouse presentation. It's a wonderfully written, ensemble production with terrific performances by Michael Lewis as Joey and Vincent D'Onofrio as his brother, Daryl. Arthur Kennedy, in one of his last roles, is also excellent as an aging shipbuilder whose family business is about to close. The rest of the cast which includes Beau Bridges, Kathy Bates and Mary-Louise Parker give remarkable clarity and substance to their characters.

The direction is subtle and effective. I've watched this movie several times over the years and would very much recommend it. A beautiful piece of filmmaking.

It's not real flashy, but this movie does a great job of developing a large cast of characters, and letting you know their hopes and desires, while still managing to be both funny and bittersweet. A very sweet movie. Fun, also, to see Vincent D'Onofrio and Mary-Louise Parker so early in their careers.

When it seems imminent that a small boat-building company is closing down in a sleepy Maine town, it affects the lives of the key personnel and those linked to them in different ways.

"Signs of Life" (1989) is worth seeing for the scenic setting of coastal Maine, as well as catching Vincent D'Onofrio and Mary-Louise Parker when they were young and relatively unknown. Several other notables are on hand, like Kevin J. O'Connor, Beau Bridges and Arthur Kennedy. The latter plays a cantankerous 66 years-old man, but easily looks ten years older (he was 74 during shooting and this was his last film).

Some parts are too draggy, but there's enough interesting things going on in the intersecting stories to keep interest, along with some quality droll amusement. I like how the flick leads you to think something is going to happen, but pulls the rug out from under you.

It runs 1 hour, 30 minutes, and was shot at various locations near the central coast of Maine (Thomaston, Stonington, South Bristol and Ellsworth), except for one short underwater sequence done at Mystic Marine Aquarium in Connecticut.

GRADE: B-