D'une vie à l'autre

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!

This film was a hard one to market--it's about a woman's journey of self-discovery after divorcing her husband. It came out in 1998 with a confused ad campaign and disappeared very quickly. It's a real shame because it was one of the best films on 1998. All the acting is excellent, there are some great songs mostly sung by Queen Latifah and there's a very exciting sequence between Hunter and a masseur (played by a very handsome, muscular actor named Eddie Cibrian). There's no real strong storyline--it's basically about how Hunter tries various ways to get on with her life after her divorce. The film jumps from fantasy to reality seamlessly, has sharp dialogue and realistic situations. It's never dull--there are countless great moments (the sequence with Cibrian; her encounter behind a door in a club; the dancing sequence at a lesbian bar; all of Queen Latifah's singing) and has an uplifting, unexpected ending. A great movie all the way around. If you haven't seen it, do so. You won't be disappointed.

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.

I loved this quirky, not run of the mill fairy tale of people trying to be run of the mill. There is an honesty and intensity that is disarming and moving. Though the resolution is a bit "Hollywood", the process is real and really funny.

Holly Hunter is a fearless actress who plays a dumped wife; not too mousy or too terrific. We hear the inner dialog so many take drugs to drown out. Coincidentally it has one of the best "drug perspective" scenes ever. She almost makes me want to drink again.

Danny Devito plays the love interest; yes this movie has guts! Though, thank God, the sex scene is not with him. Danny plays a born loser realizing he doesn't have to be.

Finally Queen Latifah (spelling?) is flawless as a bluesy torch singer! If you had told me I'd hear ANYONE sing an Ella Fitzgerald standard that was worthy, I would have called you crazy. She's got everything, including a voice and a presence on film I genuinely enjoy.

See this movie, even if your just a little neurotic and searching to laugh out loud at the ugly truth.