La vida continúa

Waitress Diana Floss was killed by a husband who came to the diner to kill his wife. Mona Camp (Holly Hunter) is the prosecutor. Diana's fiancé Joe Nast (Jake Gyllenhaal) is staying with her parents Ben (Dustin Hoffman) and Jojo (Susan Sarandon) who still treats him as their own son. He feels obligated to stay which includes going along with Ben's plan of him being in the family commercial realty business. He falls for Bertie Knox (Ellen Pompeo) but they both have secrets of their own.

It's a movie about a lot of suffering but mostly done quietly. Everybody is getting crushed but nobody is particularly interested to admit it. It has the air of truth. However it isn't able to squeeze emotions out of the audience. We get to witness their suffering without really feeling it. Most of the performances are great. Gyllenhaal does a terrific job bringing life to the emotional dialog which could have gone another way.

"Moonlight Mile" is one of the most beautiful films ever to be made. Highlighted by phenomenal performances by Hoffman, Sarandon and Hunter, the film is truly inspiring, despite some overly-sentimental moments.

Brad Silberling has created an amazing piece of film. The story starts out quite shakily, but manages to quickly find its feet and, thus, saves itself from being another overly-indulgent, kitchy movie. Some might battle with "Moonlight Mile"'s pace, as the film takes its time in developing its characters. However, the film is character-driven and these developments are fundamental to the film's progression.

Holly Hunter's performance is Oscar worthy, even though her role is quite small. Judi Dench won an Oscar for her 8 minute performance in "Shakespeare in love" and I see no reason why Hunter should not have been nominated. Amongst a cast of film legends, Jake Gyllenhaal holds his ground. It is obvious that he has had less experience in the acting field, but his performance is still great. Gyllenhaal's climatic monologue near the end of the film will give you goosebumps. It is the best part of the film and in my opinion one of the best scenes in cinema history.

In a film about one of the most life-changing, traumatic experiences one can endure, subtlety rules. Little things drive the film and the characters in the film begin to appreciate the smaller things in life. And that's what makes the film so beautiful and so real. The subtlety of the comedy and romance is what makes the drama that much more bearable - which brings us back to the films central theme: coming to terms with loss and trying to move on from it. These beautiful little moments are what make the film.

One might have mistaken "Moonlight Mile" for a Cameron Crowe film as music plays a vital part. The film's music is as evocative as the action on screen and the film's epic moments are emphasised by the films perfectly fitted music.

This film has been overlooked and underrated, and should have received more credit. Silberling has crafted an outstanding piece of cinema, which is rich with emotion and evocatively inspiring. Some cynics may find the film too sentimental and will claim they predicted the entire movie, but if one is able to ignore the odd mushy moment (there's one or two), "Moonlight Mile" is a cinematic triumph. Treat yourself to this amazing film!

True, this movie is not for everyone. It is not for action junkies and it isn't that exciting as dramas go. But the excellent acting by the three main leads will hold your attention, if you let yourself get into it.

Dustin Hoffman is completely believable as the dad whose hopes and dreams have vanished with his daughter and he struggles to hold on to them in a state of denial. Susan Sarandon's character has accepted the fact and turns away from friends' sympathy. And as the fiancée in a slight state of paralysis from numbness, Jake Gyllenhaal proves he can play more than disturbed teen. The girl's parents try to hold onto him as their last hope of clinging to their daughter. Joe (Gyllenhaal) doesn't want to hurt them by leaving, but has to find his own path now.

The actors keep the movie going for longer than expected. Even though by the end you're glad it's over, it'll stick in your mind. It's the kind of movie you only see once, or else you'll get sick of it. But the one time will be enough for you to appreciate its quiet despair and hope.

When I first started watching this movie I was a bit confused. I had expected some drama and romance, but instead it looked like a comedy! But when I kept watching, I realised I was wrong, although I have to admit that the first half an hour is rather comedy than drama.

Anyway, "Moonlight Mile" is highly enjoyable. What exactly makes this movie so great? It's the acting. The cast is outstanding. Susan Sarandon and Dustin Hoffman are truly amazing as always. Jake Gyllenhaal, who we know from "Donnie Darko", was excellent as well. But, like I already said, Hoffman and Sarandon are the true stars in this one. They were both so funny from time to time! "Moonlight Mile" is definitely worth watching! A true indie with great performances!

8/10

*** out of ****

While not quite a great movie (it just barely misses the mark), Moonlight Mile is still an excellent drama that showcases some of the finest acting talent around, wrapped amidst a beautifully told story of a young man (Jake Gyllenhaal) who's trying to do what everyone expects out of him, but against the desire of following his own heart.

Moonlight Mile plays as a cathartic experience. The premise bears truth to it, as it parallels writer/director Brad Siberling's own real-life experience when his girlfriend was murdered by an obsessive fan. But most importantly, almost every part of this movie feels natural in its emotions and storytelling, not the result of some sentimental hackjob put together by a big studio. Siberling's intent is to portray a normal family dealing with life, loss, and love and whatever obstacles may come their way and he does a fine job of it.

There are moments Moonlight Mile doesn't entirely ring true, but those moments are glossed over by the acting. From Gyllenhaal to Ellen Pompeo to Dustin Hoffman and Susan Sarandon, the cast is uniformly superb. Even though the climax is set in a courtroom (typically the setting for cliche hell in dramas), Gyllenhaal's emotional outpour makes the scene work almost magnificently.

An admittedly very irksome element of the film is the score, which is yet again another rip-off of the music to American Beauty. Moonlight Mile's straightforward, honest approach doesn't match the quirky tone of the score, resulting in a few off-kilter moments of balance. But otherwise, this is a first-rate, truthful drama, and certainly superior to the overrated and similary themed In the Bedroom.