10,000 Saints

Greetings again from the darkness. Sex, Drugs, and Rock 'n Roll – not just a bumper sticker, but also frequent and fun movie topics. Throw in 1980's New York City, some excruciatingly dysfunctional parenting, and the coming-of-age struggles of three youngsters, and you have the latest from co-writers and co-directors Shari Springer Berman and Robert Pulcini (the real life couple behind American Splendor, 2003).

Based on the novel from Eleanor Henderson, it's a nostalgic trip with little of the positive connotations usually associated with that term. The surprisingly deep cast features Ethan Hawke and Julianne Nicholson (August: Osage County, 2013) as parents to son Jude played by Asa Butterfield (Hugo, 2011). Emily Mortimer plays Hawke's new girlfriend and mother to Eliza played by Hailee Steinfeld (True Grit, 2010). Avan Jogia plays Jude's best friend Teddy, and Emile Hirsch is Teddy's big brother Johnny. It's an unusually high number of flawed characters who come together in a story that features some familiar coming-of-age moments, yet still manages to keep our interest.

The story centers on Jude as he comes to terms with finding out he's adopted, works to overcome his less than stellar parents, and spends an inordinate amount of time finding new ways to experiment with drugs. One night changes everything as it leads to a tragic end for one character and pregnancy for Eliza. Ms. Steinfeld is extraordinary as Eliza and really makes an impressive step from child actress to young adult. Julianne Nicholson is also a standout, and Ethan Hawke provides some offbeat comic relief.

So many elements of 1980's New York are included, and no effort is made to add any touches of glamour. The Tompkins Square park riots also play a role, if only briefly as the key characters realize life is just not so simple … a consistent theme for both kids and parents. The fragility of life is always an interesting topic, and the filmmakers bring this to light through some characters that we feel like we know – and wish we could help.

Reviewers keep complaining about the drug use, sex, and irresponsible parents. Umm, that HAPPENS. In real life. More than you realize. I found the acting very well done, yet, the characters, or writing, was... uneven. On one hand, neither the characters nor the plot goes in any direction you think it is going, which most viewers tend to love. However, the setups, swerves and everything we learn is all for nothing, since.. neither the characters nor the plot goes in any direction even hinted at. Characters can spend the first 2/3 of the film complaining about the same thing (adults pushing what they want instead of what the teen wants), make multiple huge dramatic deals about it, then inexplicably change mind to agree with them, from no motivation whatsoever. There are also a couple subtle hints concerning one particular relationship, but everything else heard and done contradicts what happens or what we assume is happening. I really liked most of this film, and WANTED to like the rest but maybe it tried too hard to defy our expectations without earning it or trying. {It would be like watching a film about an interesting Christian Kansas farmer who takes classes in law school then decides to become an Atheist surfer with no reason for any of those out of nowhere decisions other than "just because the character decides to out of the blue".} Instead of "surprising" by being different, it was confusingly frustrating to watch this pointless journey. Still not sure if that's a good thing or bad thing in this mostly unoriginal Hollywood blockbuster era.

"The women? They make their decisions and men? We just do our best not to be men. The whole system needs a looking over."

I don't know how I missed this film in 2015, but I am happy that I've finally come across it. Better late than never.

As a film, it's really well-done. It's shot beautifully and the acting is very good. But, come on! Look at the talent they got for this: Ethan Hawke, Emily Mortimer, Hailee Steinfeld, Asa Butterfield, Julianne Nicholson... It's a great cast, and they do a great job here.

The terrain traveled by this story is nothing new, but the fact that all of these people seem so devoted to the telling of it that it makes it special and new. It's an incredibly realistic exploration of young adults and older(ish) adults trying to navigate the consequences of past actions and create a better future for those little people who they will bring into this world.

10,000 Saints is a decent little film that has its moments but is also a little underwhelming at times. The film follows Jude (Asa Butterfield) and Eliza (Hailee Steinfeld), who are step-siblings. Jude was adopted by Eliza's father, Les. After a one-night stand, Eliza finds herself pregnant. Jude and Eliza turn to the lead singer (Emile Hirsch) of a punk-rock band for help. I won't spoil anything else about the film as I feel that there were a few good surprises I didn't see coming. With that said, I will say that this film is a bit of a mixed bag. What worked well was how it illustrates how complicated family relationships can be, especially when the family is a mix of different families. Also, I thought Hailee Steinfeld's performance was terrific. She conveys a wide range of emotions with really adds to Eliza's depth as a character. Also, Eliza is different from a lot of the other characters Hailee has played in the past, and it really shows just how talented she is as an actor. Plus, it was interesting to see her as a teen mom.

With that said, there are also a few cons. For one, the main character was a little dry. I would've liked to see him show more emotion and to have his character have a little clearer character arc. Also, there are a lot of storylines that never really go anywhere or are just underdeveloped. For example, there is Jude being adopted, and him never looking for his parents, despite Les letting him know they are somewhere in New York. The film is a slew of other stories, which really makes it seem that this movie had more ideas than it had time. Lastly, the film is supposedly set in late-1980s New York, but I didn't know that until after I watched it and read the other reviews. All in all, it was a good film. It just could have used a few tune-ups.

Another movie that makes you think humanity has no hope. Broken kids, broken parents, broken ideals. The movie takes place in the eighties and I remember the time well. So, yes, a lot of us were screwed up but this is just hopelessness incarnate. I did not like any of the characters as dysfunction seemed to be the running theme with everyone. I would suggest finding a better coming of age movie to watch as there are many good ones out there. I gave this an extra star for the very brief inclusion of CBGB's, it was the highlight of the movie. The rest was just so depressing it made me want to embrace traditional conservative values for the sake of humanity. Maybe I am getting wiser in my old age. . who knows?