jk8n

I never heard of this film, but I came across it on cable and watched it because it was rated 3 stars and had Jennifer Jason Leigh and Jack Black in it. It is perhaps one of the most surgically accurate portrayals of a dysfunctional family and the relationship between sisters. It's a film that brilliantly unfolds the ways that dysfunction and craziness get passed down from generation to generation, despite one's insight and best efforts to be otherwise. Surprisingly, it was Nicole Kidman whose performance was the engine that drove this excellent ensemble. She is such a nuanced and cerebral actress in this role. It was painful to watch her performance, but so fascinating and psychologically accurate. Most important, it is a film that tells a powerful tale without sinking to caricature or making fun of oddball family members. Frankly, there was an awful lot that cut close to the bone for me (having come from a similarly crazy family), and a lot to be learned from it. I made my teenage sons watch, too.

I am conflicted about this film because I loved the 1984 documentary "The Times of Harvey Milk." The documentary version was so powerful and really a terrific film, that I kind of resent the Hollywood Milk stealing any of its thunder. On the one hand Milk: The Movie is Gus Van Zandt's masterpiece (and it is in many ways), but maybe also a bit too much of "Sean Penn: The Movie." Then again I'm in danger of being too cynical because Sean Penn's performance is definitely bravura; it has so much heart and soul (though maybe not as much as the real Harvey Milk in the documentary). What I loved best about Milk is the retelling of a fascinating chapter in the history of gay and human rights. Harvey's operatic love affairs, not so much.

I was really looking forward to this movie based on the reviews, and made my two teenage sons go with me. I had to leave after 30 minutes. It was so cruel and vicious I just couldn't sit through one more act of inhumanity against children. If you thought Trainspotting was rough to take, it's nothing compared to Slumdog Millionaire. I loved Trainspotting in spite of the violence, but this movie was just relentless. I've seen much more effective depictions of the victimization of children in India, and the civil war between Hindu and Muslim, without resorting to MTV-style artistic violence. Danny Boyle, the director of both films, did a masterful job of using violence to make his point in Trainspotting; in Slumdog Millionaire I wondered whether he was actually getting off on it. Unless you have a really strong stomach and don't have a problem watching children treated like cockroaches, give it a miss. I feel certain you won't be missing much.