Le choix d'une vie

I was 16 years old in 1969. This movie caused a lot of memories to come rushing back. I want to thank the director Tony Goldwyn and writer Pamela Gray for recreating some of the vibrations of the time so beautifully. The movie is really about the cultural clash when a young couple trying to live out the 1950's ideal realize that time has passed and they adopt to the new world of personal growth, peace, Moon landings and Woodstock Festivals.

Some people are complaining that the lead character, Pearl, was a bad role model, being unfaithful or indecisive, not knowing what to do; however, that was the way things were back then. To me the film was incredibly believable and faithful to the times and setting.

My only complaint is the scene where Ross rejects Alison's request to "go all the way." Being 16 at the time, I had only one desire, to "go all the way" with every teenage girl who would let me. I spent nearly every moment I could trying to convince them and I did find three or four who said yes. If anyone who looked like Anna Paquin had said to me when I was 16, that she wanted to go all the way, I would have been out of my clothes in 10 seconds flat.

The only other thing perhaps that the movie missed were all the crazy, repulsive, hateful, violent conservatives who were around then threatening and terrorizing progressive, loving, peaceful people. That actually hasn't changed much since 1969. They're still doing the same thing.

This movie also has a terrific soundtrack and uses popular music from the time better than any movie since "Easy Rider." For those who grew up in the 60's, see it to remember, for those who grew up after the 60's, see it to learn.

Okay, so I'm surfing the 63 movie channels on my new digital cable......and I hear a voice... It's the loudspeaker of the Catskills bungalows project announcing some esoteric occurrence... You simply had to be there...And I WAS... Forget the glamour of that upscale Catskills resort on "Dirty Dancing"... This was REAL LIFE circa the 1960s...as I, and I'm sure many others remember it from our childhood... (I won't go much into the plot here...that's been covered...it's the FEELING of the movie--the LIFE--that hit me...) Now, I am certain this whole atmosphere will seem bizarre, fairly off kilter to most...But as a Jewish kid born in NYC in 1953, this movie was SO REAL, it was incredible... I swear I was there...no, not in the movie...but in one of those bungalow colonies somewhere in the Catskills in the Summer of '69...close enough to Woodstock to breathe it... And I have never seen a film completely capture the setting as well as this one... Trust me, folks, this is a snapshot in REAL TIME...The characters are right out of my family, my friends...the "resort" is what real life was like for most "working class" NYC families who could squeeze out just enough cash to escape the sweltering NYC summer... There was a point in the "mountains" where my Zayde used to announce "This is as far as the car goes"...He never in his life drove farther from the Bronx than those bungalows... I've watched the movie through twice now and it's just as real every time.

A Walk on the Moon was Tony Goldwyn's directorial debut,

and all I can say is MORE! This is an excellently constructed film. The script was written by Pamela Gray is

fantastic. If you like a film with characters who could easily be real in believable situations that you come to care about, then you will love this film. Set in upstate New York in the summer of '69 the movie focuses on the choices and the resulting consequences made by a young woman who feels trapped in her role as wife and mother. That setting with the Vietnam War, social unrest, Woodstock, and the manned moon landing is arguably one of the most interesting times of the 20th Century and woven seamlessly into the film. The soundtrack with songs from the era fits perfectly and is great. The casting and performances were flawless. After seeing the film, I can't imagine anyone else in the roles. This was the first time I had seen Liev Schreiber who plays Marty, the husband, and Viggo Mortensen, the carefree lover. Both were terrific. Tovah Feldshuh, the perceptive earthy mother-in-law, and Anna Paquin, the rebellious daughter, were perfectly cast as well. And Diana Lane as Pearl, the lead, plays her multifaceted role well. I believe this film to be worthy of Academy consideration. The category that comes to mind (and there are others) is best supporting actor for Liev Schreiber. This film is a must see for the baby boom generation. Four stars!!!!

I like movies with a good character-centered plot and this certainly qualifies. So many Hollywood movies have a distinctly evil antagonist and a pure protagonist. There is no "bad guy" in this movie. All of the people have a side that I could relate to, but they make mistakes along the way.

In all a very good film

I have been waiting to see this movie for some time. I was not disappointed. As a woman, from a woman's perspective, I found this to be uncomfortably accurate. I was floored by Diane Lane's performance as a bored "yet not, not in love with her husband" woman who was willing to find new love, to fully be loved by the "blouse man". The love scenes were incredibly truthful and believable, and I just thought this movie was absolutely flawless in it's portrayal of what would have really happened between "Marty" and "Pearl". I thought Diane Lane was awesome, as well as the understated acting feel of the beautiful and beyond sexy, Viggo Mortensen. I cannot say enough how authentic and beautiful I thought this movie was. I give it a 10+. I thought it was a masterpiece, perfect and breathtakingly beautiful, it was human imperfection at its best. It truly made me feel love for each man, I felt sorrow for her decision.