D'une vie à l'autre

Besides the fact that the performances by all are excellent and the film's story pulls many emotions, Queen Latifa steals the show. I am a big jazz fan and find it very difficult to deal with rap. I've seen Queen Latifa a couple times doing her rap thing and had to turn it off. I could not believe that this was the same woman. What a class act. I hope we see more of her in this genre of music. I ran out to buy the sound track immediately. The film does not answer any burning questions at the end. Nor does is have any kind of punch. I admit I like a story that has a strong ending best, but that is not what this film is about. It's the journey of life and lives touching. It didn't bother me as much as others that have written comments mainly because I found the interaction between the characters so honest and down right enjoyable.

Holly Hunter, sexy and unafraid of a tight close-up at age 40, as the left-behind wife who reclaims at least parts of herself after divorcing her meathead cardiologist husband (Martin Donovan).

Danny DeVito as an also-divorced sweet soul, delivering a believably vulnerable love interest.

And Queen Latifah, injecting pure spunk and (rap-free)jazz vocals.

Rare, extended scenes, with two people just sitting and talking, thanks to Richard LaGravenese's script (with help from Anton Chekov's short stories).

And finally, an even rarer ending, where every character is NOT ushered off screen into a neatly-wrapped-happy-ending sunset.

Writer turned writer-director Richard LaGravenese made 1998's "Living Out Loud", which follows the intersection of the lives of two people emotionally lost in the big city. Holly Hunter plays Judith, a feisty and freshly divorced woman in her early forties with an overactive imagination. Danny DeVito plays Pat, a depressed and proud elevator attendant with emotional baggage all his own. After they share words a friendship gingerly begins to form. The creative casting of the fabulous Holly Hunter and the frequently under-appreciated dramatic talents of Danny DeVito is only the beginning of the special qualities of "Living Out Loud". This is a mature study of adult relationships, especially of those that have tried, failed, and are left emotionally crippled. It's an intimate, quiet film about regular people made with so many genuine moments and with such winning results that one can only be reminded how infrequently a film like this comes along. It might not be that clever comedy the DVD suggests, but in a way the false advertising makes it that much more of a find.

This American movie had a Europeen feeling for it's creativity, the subject and by the fact that there's a woman starring in it. Do you know many regular Hollywood movie that stars a woman in a very serious way? The feeling shown by Holly Hunter are very feminine. We saw that very often in European films, but not quite much in the USA. Well, everything's away from Hollywood is for me the real American cinema of the 1990's. DeVito is very moving in one of his best role in his career, And Holly Hunter... the GREAT Holly Hunter! She can't be bad!

I just watched this film for the 5th time and am more impressed every time. What seems to some a disjointed story with no plot seems to me to be the reality of life. People can't really see the connectedness of the events of their lives while they experience them. This film had that reality. The characters all experienced loneliness, loneliness had no connection to status or any other social differences. They are all trying to connect and ultimately they need to connect with themselves and their dreams. On first viewing I was perplexed by the dance scene. Now I see it as the main character finding and accepting herself. It was a refreshing awakening. It was good to be reminded that to get a life one needs to continue to experience life. A film for all those who hurt or celebrate relationships and want to get a life.