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Director Tom DiCillo has all the attributes required for a top indie film maker. He displays a sharp humorous edge coupled with an all round smartness. But his advantage over his peers is that his works are permeated with a genuine and very winning romanticism (realized best in "Real Blonde").

The premise of "Box of Moonlight" is indeed a romantic one. Two complete opposites who by all accounts would steer clear of each other are instinctively drawn together when destiny wills a chance encounter. They will learn important life lessons from each other and part the richer. It is in effect a delightful spin on the buddy movie.

John Turturro and Sam Rockwell are the least likely buddies one could imagine. Turturro plays the rigid, time obsessive and orderly engineer against Rockwell's wild, irresponsible back to nature outcast. Turturro's Al Fountain senses much is not well in his life and subconsciously perceives that Rockwell's "The Kid" might just be what he is so much in need of; someone to release those parts of his personality which adulthood and its encumbering responsibilities has suffocated. "The Kid" indeed accomplishes this in a variety of ways including coaxing Al to reach his inner child in the wonderful tomato throwing scene and luring him into an touching adolescent one night stand with Floatie played beautifully by Catherine Keener, a DiCillo favorite. By the end of the movie Al will return home a far better husband and father.

Just how Rockwell's "The Kid" will be effected is less clear. He is clearly a severely deluded character functioning more as a symbol rather than a credible person. In lesser hands it could have come off ludicrous, but Rockwell nails it perfectly in what would be his break through role. There's a palpable chemistry between the buddies which is so vital for making this story work.

"Box of Moonlight" is a modern day fable, a cautionary tale reminding us not to allow adulthood smother us. It's a tale told with tremendous charm and a movie to be cherished.

Everything in this film is about subtlety... I think that's why it has such a lasting effect.

It's definitely one of those "mischievous" films... sort of an escape from reality that makes you wonder why you and others take themselves so seriously. It's something that will most likely linger with you for a while. This film made me re-evaluate the seriousness of my life. I think this is among the only films that actually has changed my life somewhat.

I'd heard plenty of people tell me that I needed to see "Box of Moonlight" because it was filmed in Knoxville, TN (my hometown) and that it featured several signs and personalities familiar to Knoxvillians (the newscasters Gene Patterson and Kristin Hoke, the hot pink "Bambi's" bar/strip club, etc.), so I watched the movie almost entirely trying to pick up these things. I found myself enjoying a very subtle, lighthearted film about a man (John Turturro) struggling with a mid-life crisis, and eventually liberating himself from the normal stiff, "clockwork" persona he had become. Sam Rockwell gives a great performance as "Kid", and Catherine Keener is wonderful as the "simple southern girl" (a 180 degree turn from her role in "Being John Malkovich"). Turturro is excellent as Al, and you can feel the emotions he is having during his transformation. Everyone should be able to relate to his disappointment when he returns to the fictional Splatchee Lake, only to see that it is no longer what he remembers. You begin to understand how much he needs someone like Kid to break him free from the life that he so obviously loathes, but not until the final scene do you understand how much Kid needed him to stick around and be his friend (maybe Kid wasn't as slow-witted as we were made to believe?). The writing and acting in this film are wonderful, and I wish more filmmakers would make movies like this. It was a refreshing story, and one that is worth seeing.

1996's "Box of Moonlight" is the very best motion picture I have ever seen in my life. It is a highly symbolic, extraordinary masterpiece of a film. Viewing it is a pure magical experience, and the unique thing is that for every viewing, I have found something I didn't find before. Always something great. (Maybe this is the reason it is so underrated, because there is so much to discover about this film that actually requires a second, or even third viewing). Tom Dicillo's follow up to "Living in Oblivion" has Turturro playing Al Fountain, a strict by the books engineer who, as one character says, "goes through life like a robot". He doesn't know how to enjoy life, and is lost in a world of clockwork. But everything is about to change when he meets a free-spirit named Bucky (AKA Kid) played by Sam Rockwell who gives the performance of his career. They learn from each other and discover, before, unseen elements of life. It succeeds on many levels, but most importantly has such a rich, multi-layered character study. This includes its characters': sprititual growth (maybe even without finding God yet as the film suggests)self discovery, and setting loose of life's boundaries and morals. There are excellent performances all around (notably Rockwell and Turturro, and Katherine Keener). Not to mention Dicillo's brilliant writing/direction, and outstanding cinematography and music.

Al Fountain, a middle-aged electrical engineer, is on the verge of a mid-life crisis, when he decides to take his time coming home from a business trip, rents a car, and heads out looking for a lake he remembers from his childhood. But his wandering takes him into the life of Kid, a free-spirited young man who helps Al escape from the routine of everyday life and find freedom to enjoy himself.

I have to wonder how the films directed by Tom DiCillo seem to remain obscure. Even the "indie" film fans aren't tossing his name around. For those of us who grew up in the early 90s, we were largely introduced to independent film through "Clerks" and then moved on to Jim Jarmusch. But why did we stop? DiCillo is a great next step, or the films that Mike Leigh had been making for decades.

John Turturro is great in this, but that's no surprise because he's always great. More interesting is Sam Rockwell, who was probably still unknown at this point. Heck, even in 2016, he is more B-list than A-list. But we have him here in a large role, and a very bold one -- he spends a good deal of the film without clothes. Not shy, are you?

One of my favourite Films of all time. Top notch performances all round especially turturro and Sam rockwell.

Sad,funny,inspiring and always entertaining this is a film that stays in your mind forever and one to watch over and over again.

The Cinematography is sublime, while the screenplay is spot on.

For Film fans who like their films with a great story .

Not for the blockbuster merchants.

In short : A Classic.

Do yourself a favour and rent this movie out.

Tom dicillio at his best.

Box of Moonlight starts of rather similar to other films in the similar category. You have one person who is uptight and the other is too loose. As the movie develops, we get all the fun schticks that come with these movies.

Another theme of this movie is missing out on your youth, for a career path and realizing that youth is fundamental to the development of your person. This is shown beautifully and organically.

While there are a lot of fun metaphors, with a touch of surrealism, there is no reason to look for the symbolism, it just permeates into your consciousness.

Lastly, what I meant when I said that this movie seductive. Is it just pulls you into the scenes, where you wish you were the participant, in the goofy shenanigans. And yes this movie is also funny even thought, the subject matter is very serious.

Due of my obsession for Sam Rockwell i found this wonderful piece of film, knowing absolutely nothing about it, and...what can I say....it's well as we would say it in German: einfach wunderbar.....

Tom DiCillos Film describes in very brilliant scenes how a boring typical American father and husband discovers what life meant to be.... This film has several great scenes in it...the all-American-way of life is present throughout the whole story, showing for example this really fat boy jumping around the pool, or the incredible friendly woman of the car-renal-station....

John Turturro is brilliant as this empty man, who seems to never had any joy in his whole life, accept as a kid at this lake where he travels to, as the had some days off after work.... On his way he meets Buck alias The Kid, a young man who lives deep in the woods far away from every society..For seven days now these very different people get together...and it's so inspiring to see them become...well....some kind of friends.

Sam Rockwell is absolutely gorgeous as The Kid, i had this weird feeling - whenever he's in – i have to embrace this grown-up kid ever and ever again, never let him go.... His face in this scene when Turturro's Character wants to get back the key for his car.... indescribable...wow.... Well....surely i only want to intimate that this film is acting at it's purest.... In the end Turturro's Character as changed, in a little not so obvious way...an me to.

I really like John Turturro, and this is one of his best movies. This actually has the makings of a regular buddy movie. Turturro leads the life we all have and Sam Rockwell leads the life we wish we had. They get together, get into some antics, and that's a movie. So what makes this one above average? First, is the truly great performances put in by Turturro and Rockwell. Great acting helps, but this movie has an intelligent script. It takes you on a bizarre journey as these two men come together. It's funny, moving, and somewhat educational. It may not be for everyone, but then again no movie is.

We first meet Al Fountain (John Turturro) at a remote construction site in the country, where he is the foreman. Immediately, we recognize who and what he is: The Boss; obsessive and meticulous about the work, tenacious in regard to detail. At the same time, it is obvious that he is sorely lacking when it comes to his relationship with his crew. Not that he is a bad guy; neither overbearing nor abusive with his employees, he is, in fact, somewhat personable in his own way. It's just that everything in his vision is so clearly cut in black and white. In the world of Al Fountain there are absolutely no shades of gray. This is further established when he phones his wife and young son to check in and give her an update on the job. When he tells her that one of the guys has invited him to play poker that night (much to the chagrin of the rest of the crew), she is ecstatic and encourages him to go. Clearly, she loves him, but knows how he is. When he quizzes his son on his multiplication tables and the response is unacceptable, flash cards are ordered. When Dad gets home there will be another quiz. In a brilliant metaphor, we see the flash cards as they are perceived by the boy; they are huge, nearly as big as he is, Marley's chains he must carry wherever he goes without respite.

When the job is abruptly closed down, Al finds himself with some time to reflect on his life, which he uncharacteristically embraces, prompted by an incident at the poker game the previous evening. At this point the story really begins, and we follow Al on a drive through the country, which ultimately becomes a journey of self-discovery. Along the way he meets 'The Kid,' (Sam Rockwell), a charismatic, though somewhat naive young man who lives alone in the remnants of a trailer situated on a secluded parcel of land far off the beaten path. It is a lifestyle that Al, initially, simply cannot comprehend. When The Kid explains that he lives 'off the grid,' it is beyond anything Al can fathom. In the end, this movie is a textured tale of awareness and the importance of setting one's personal priorities. Extremely well presented and acted, it is touching and poignant without the unnecessary burden (in this case) of undue sentiment.

The supporting cast includes Catherine Keener, Lisa Blount, Annie Corley and Dermot Mulroney. In 'Box of Moonlight,' writer-director Tom DiCillo offers us a journey that is well worth the taking. I rate this one 9/10

I had no idea what this film was going to be about when I started watching it. I had just gotten my digital cable and had no intention of watching this but once I started I really grew to admire it. I don't think its anything groundbreaking but the characters are all written so well that its always interesting. John Turturro is making one of his rare starring roles and he's good as a middle aged man who has forgotten how to enjoy life and he's in a mid-life crisis. Sam Rockwell is excellent in his biggest role to date. Like I said, nothing really special but an interesting character study. If anyone comes across this film you should give it a chance. It really grows on you! Also, Sam Rockwell is being considered to play Chuck Barris in a film about him so keep that in mind when you check this out.

Sam Rockwell is an excellent actor. He also does not shy away from quirky roles that require liberal use of nudity. Just as in "Lawn Dogs," Sammy shows it all in "Box of Moonlight." The film is really an actor's showcase for John Tuturro too. He is perfect as the socially inept engineer who is "shown the (moon) light" by Rockwell. One can quibble about the choices the two characters make on their road to emotional "freedom," but the movie is charming none-the-less, and a nice companion film to "Lawn Dogs" in its depiction of life in south central America. This is an "Adult Fable," So suspend your need for action, and discover you have new needs: for character development, for dialog, for symbolism, for magic.

Anyone whose ever been close to an engineer will appreciate John Turturro's splendid portrayal of Al Fountain. From the stiff walk, the upright posture, the technically accurate answers and precise annunciation to the timed phone calls, reserved emotion, you really get a sense that he lives in a different world than Bucky. And Sam Rockwell is just as clever and affecting as the free-spirited Kid.

Although there isn't too much to this movie in terms of production, it stands out as a subtle and ironic tale of opposites attracting. If you're married to or have an engineer close to you, sit them down and watch this movie, they soon will be laughing at themselves.

There were, indeed, some cute moments, and the acting was just fine. The script, however, presented us with people that were simply unbelievable - they just didn't act or react as any actual people would. A touch of the fantastic can be delightful - but the mother who affirms that her kid is studying (to his father) while he plays video games just doesn't exist. The husband/wife relationship was ... vaguely polite. The boss/work crew relationship could only be imagined by someone who has never actually had a job - certainly none that they did well.

One wonders where the writer/director lives - this movie gives the firm impression that they've never actually seen any people who weren't on a television screen.

That's a couple of hours I'll never get back.

Tom diCillo's most succesful film is the also great 'Living In Oblivion', but 'Box Of Moonlight' is my favorite one. This movie is really excellent, among all the films that deserved success but didn't get it, this film is the one that deserved it the most, a real life experience. Probably John Torturro best part ever and of his best performances too. This is his best film since Miller's Crossing (91, by Coen Bros.). If you wanna see a real masterpiece, go check this one out and, I bet, you'll remember it for the rest of your life.

There were several reasons why I found this film interesting and amusing: A. I could have been Al Fountain. How many times have I been told 'You can't see the forest for the trees?' B. Lisa Blount didn't look much different than she did in 'An Officer and a Gentleman' but Catherine Keener looked 'cute' and much younger than she did in 2000, not many years after 'Box of Moonlight' was released. I wish they had all skinny-dipped, but Catherine Keener '...won't do that..' (a line from a Meat Loaf song).

C. Sam Rockwell was superb; Turturro played the straight man to a 'T.' This film must have held my interest because it seemed to be a 'short.' Any time a film goes by too quickly, in my opinion, it has to be a winner. Do you feel the same way?

This is a great little movie that few people have seen. It's about Al Fountain's business trip to the boonies. Al's an uptight, must to everything by the book kinda guy. Because of this, his workers make fun of him and his little boy is a little intimidated.

Once Al gets to the boonies, the work contract is cancelled. Al decides to try and find a lake he went to as a kid. This is the jest of the whole movie for me. Al realizes he is acting too "adult-like" and wants to find the inner-kid in himself. I think we can all relate to this on some level.

I won't ruin the whole movie because you REALLY need to see it, but by accident, Al meets Bucky (the Kid) and remembers what it is like to be carefree and childlike. I think in turn, that helps him with his familly life. Kudos to John Turturro and Sam Rockwell for their roles in this movie!

This is a touching and incredibly funny movie which shows what American filmmakers who who haven't succumbed to Hollywood money can do. The characters, even the oddball Buck, seem real and believable. It is slow moving, but you do not want it to end. Anybody caught up in a midlife crisis should watch this moving as its message is a good "battery recharger".

`Box of Moonlight' is one of those films where two types are going in opposite directions in life and their paths cross. John Turturro does his part as an electrical engineer very well, overshadowing a little Sam Rockwell in a rôle which seems to hallmark him. Ok: skip this one if you like – but do not pass over `Lawn Dogs', where Rockwell is brilliant together with the ten year old Mischa Barton. `Box of Moonlight' is merely entertaining without reaching any greater compass as the situation is somewhat fairy-tale. Nevertheless, it can be argued that the film makes you think about what you want to do with and get from your life. If you really want to get your teeth into something really profound in which two men of opposite extremes cross paths, I can thoroughly recommend `Le Huitième Jour' (The Eighth Day) a brilliant film with Pascal Duquenne and Daniel Auteuil under the orders of Jaco van Dormael.

"Box of Moonlight" succeeds utterly in transporting the viewer to the very heart of the story, to a special and brilliantly realised "back woods of the mind" very early on and terrific performances by Sam Rockwell and John Turturro(never better), ensure that this gem of a movie lingers long in the memory.

Box of Moonlight is a small independent film starring John Turturro as Mr. Al Fountain, aka By the Book, Mr. On Time, Mr. Uptight. He's an electrical engineer not particularly liked by his current crew. He has no sense of humor and actually is pretty thick when it comes to normal, light conversation. He calls his wife (Annie Corley) precisely at 9 o'clock each night and quizzes his son on his multiplication tables.

When his job finishes early, he goes searching for a lake he went to as a child. It had water slides, picnic tables - when he finally finds it, it's a dump and the water has been polluted. On his way back he runs into a driver with car trouble. And thus it begins - Al Fountain's awakening to life.

Sam Rockwell plays the driver, who describes himself as "off the grid". He lives in half a trailer. He's stealing someone's phone service so you can only talk for a minute. He eats Hydrox cookies and milk for breakfast. He swims nude in a lake (not polluted). He is everything Al isn't - alive.

A great story of a man in a fog who, as he hallucinates seeing things going backward and finds a gray hair, sees what life is about.

HIghly recommended - fabulous performances, beautifully directed, with a wonderful message.

Pretty appealing movie, with the same studied (potentially precious) weirdness that inspired DiCillo's Living In Oblivion and blew apart The Real Blonde - this movie ends up somewhere in between, often successful scene by scene but finally pretty inconsequential assessed as a whole. Still, at least DiCillo doesn't overdo the extent of Turturro's ultimate character revelation - it's a modest synthesis (and on TV we see the minister who tried to convert Turturro being dragged to jail for murdering some errant parishioners - proving the fragility of easy solutions). Maybe the movie goes too enthusiastically for easy tricks like Turturro seeing things running backwards in his desire to stop time, but the main appeal is in the unhurried pace and the nuances of Turturro's boxed-in existence, and then in the oddity of the details. Robards is a bit too much of a standard-issue holy fool, designed to show the way to true spiritual wealth, but the two make a good pair (although the details of Turturro's regeneration - nude bathing, raw tomatoes off the vine, free sex - are again less than original).