Laurel Canyon

I watched this movie with my mother. Halfway through it she thought Lisa Cholodenko was an Ukranian filmmaker who wanted to make a comedy about Los Angeles. I told her she was wrong and that it was a feminist view of a Los Angeles native on the war of the sexes. She had to agree in the end.

Men who like soft, womanly women had probably better stay away from Laurel Canyon. It serves tough chicken. And men are wimps. What impressed me (and made me show it to my mom) is the amount of contempt the story shows the the son of the main character, the latter being a domineering, successful music producer who changes her lovers regularly. The son is a trained psychiatrist and a gentle and considerate person who likes to live a life one might call conventional. His aim in life seems to be to serve and to be useful, not personal success or even glory, maybe not even satisfaction (the opening sex scene with the girlfriend seems to indicate that). Not surprisingly he blames his mother for the instability he experienced as a child and would like to keep his distance from her. Yet he moves into her house in Laurel Canyon for professional reasons, assuming she would live elsewhere at that time. For some unexpected reason this is not the case. Along with the son comes his equally conventional, career oriented highbrow girlfriend who likes to finish her doctoral thesis. The girlfriend is fascinated by the encounter with the mother and her entourage and „opens up" and blends in. He does not and I felt that it is somehow held against him.

The movie sets out to show that the son hasn't got a chance against his powerhouse mother and that his lifestyle and attitudes are basically wrong and stupid. It does not explain the characters, the girlfriend's transformation for instance is presented with disarming simplicity as a „natural process". Within the social dynamics of the ashram-like household the ideal man is presented: an irresponsible acting cute sex toy who also happens to be a musician and singer (although not a very good one) and who, I assume, is already scheduled for being discarded in due time.

The cast is better than the story. Frances McDormand is really brilliant as the mother and gives her character unexpected charm and charisma. It really makes you believe she is successful in her job. Natascha McElhone's beauty is somehow beyond belief and slightly surreal. She plays the son's companion from work and potential lover. That wimp is of course much too inhibited to seize the opportunity. The relationship remains platonic, which may well cause further frustration and loathing. Incidentally, the location which serves as the mother's house is just beautiful (I wouldn't mind living in a place like that) and well used as location.

I did not like this movie, and yet I can recommend it. It's interesting and offers a lot for later discussions.

I really enjoy reading other folks reviews of films I have seen. It is interesting to see how personal perspective is, well, personal.

I have been a paid critic in the past and have often explained to folks that opinions are just that, opinion. So I will endeavor to explain my case for this fine film.

This is a story of a journey. It is not the journey the characters think they're taking. It is the odd place they go on their way to what they thought they wanted. In that way, it is a lot like life.

You have the fish out of water aspect. A young couple wonders into his mother's life. A life he has never appreciated or enjoyed. His girlfriend, on the other hand, seems primed for the hedonism she encounters.

The mother (played to amazing life by Frances McDormand) is a record producer with a successful business life and a spotty personal one. She's in the midst of recording a record when her son descends. But it is the young man who fronts the group she's producing that has both her and her son's girlfriend in a lather.

There are emotional affairs flying about. There is moral condescension from characters who've been less than honorable.

On top of a good to great cast of principal actors, there's the soundtrack of flat-out great music.

Well directed, admirably cast, with an ambiguous and thoughtful script, plus enough sexual tension to fuel a score of teen comedies. Great flick. Bring your moral compass, and your ears.

"Laurel Canyon" isn't a sharp enough barb at the music industry nor is it insightful enough about relationships, but there are individual performances and musical references to make it worthwhile.

Frances McDormand as a Queen Bee, omnisexual music producer is a prime reason to see the film, playing the opposite of her "Almost Famous" Mom. There are hints about her musical ears being passe, as her house has a lot more shelves and shelves of old LPs than the few new CDs piled up, plus the photos of her in studios with past stars. And classic rock seems to always play around her, but the excesses and record company pressures don't seem new and she is bedding a rocker 16 years her junior, basically her son's age. The realistic musical mise en scene includes appearances by musician Lou Barlow and producer Daniel Lanois, among others.

The basic tension is supposed to be her being the fascination of the abomination to her straight-laced son Christian Bale (pretty much playing the same character as in "Metroland") and his fiancee, Kate Beckinsale pretty much playing the Susan Sarandon role from "Rocky Horror Picture Show." There's also some irony about Bale's character being an effective shrink in training, with all his mother issues, and a new twist on mother-in-law issues.

But that is undercut by virtually all being drawn, a la the Rolling Stones' "Spider and the Fly" song which should be on the soundtrack but isn't, by snake-straight-from-the-Garden-of-Eden Alessandro Nivola's sexy leader of a rock band that sure looks and sounds a lot like Goo Goo Dolls or Coldplay (the film's composer is with the band Shudder to Think) and sincerely says all kinds of unbelievable things about commitment and has no problem writing a radio-friendly ballad. (I see that he's married in real life to Emily Mortimer which made me think that he was the inspiration for the cause of her character's horrific physical insecurities in "Lovely and Amazing" but he did give such a very sweet acceptance speech for her at the Independent Spirit Awards. After this movie, he could slither into pop music -- would he be the first from Phillips Exeter and Yale to take that career path?)

I have no idea why Natascha McElhone's husband-temptress is supposed to be Israeli, as her mangled accent is just odd.

There is a neat running visual leit motif about the different symbolic uses of a California swimming pool by different people, from early morning determined laps to late night skinny dipping.

The round-robin apologies (and lack of some) at the end simply make no sense and leave us finally with no catharsis or resolution.

This is an insightful and truly under-appreciated film. And, as anyone who has lived in the Hollywood/ West Hollywood area can attest, the film is also a very accurate portrayal of LA life in the biz. Bale and Beckinsale shine as well. Definitely McDormand's best work outside of "Fargo"; her versatility and talent continue to amaze and impress. The producers' choice of music is perfect and truly reflects the mood and tone of the film--it makes me want to go out and buy the soundtrack. :) Also, "Laurel Canyon" shows how frail and tenuous life's relationships can be. By straying from the "norms" of his serious, medical student world, Bale understands his mother's complexities and foibles and thus establishes the bond with her that he has possibly sought all his life. Well done!! *** 1/2

"Laurel Canyon" is a story about 'family'. The grown son (Christian Bale) of a record producer (Frances McDormand) ends up bringing his girl friend (Kate Bekinsdale) to California. They expected to stay in his mother's empty home while he worked at a psychiatric hospital and she worked on a thesis. Due to a schedule change, his mother is still in the home when he and his girl friend arrive. It is obvious that there is substantial tension and resentment on the son's side of the relationship. He feels his mother was not a good parent and that she is irresponsible, and she is still living the carefree and wild lifestyle she has always lived. His curious girlfriend is drawn into the lives of his mother and her boyfriend (Allesandro Nivola), with the potential for disastrous results.

Frances McDormand does a fine job as the mother. Christian Bale and Kate Beckinsdale are also good as the young couple. Allesandro Nivola is entertaining as the mother's current lover. This is a nicely done film. However, something seems a bit flat and the story line doesn't pick up as much steam as a good drama should. It tends to have a 'so what' mentality about the immorality taking place, and the result is that the impact of the film is minimalized. Christian Bale and Frances McDormand have a poignant scene at the end of "Laurel Canyon", but again the film strangely mutes the power which the actors imbue their characters with.

I'd rate this film a 70/100. Fans of the actors involved will enjoy seeing their favorites on the screen, but others will most likely be a bit disappointed by this movie.