Friday, July 16, 2010
FAMILY DRAMA
Today's film was Rebecca Miller's The Private Lives of Pippa Lee (2008)
You will see shit in this film that you have never seen before. Situations, I mean.
In many respects, it is completely original. In others, traditional family soap suds.
The performances are quite good. Robin Wright Penn is the star and she turns in a bravura performance as she unspools and rewinds her life for us to see.
We also have Alan Arkin in a straight role. Very good. Keanu Reeves, so happy to see him again. He is very good. And Winona Ryder who I always welcome and wonder why she has not been able to get past the attractive crazy roles. Well, she does excel. Shirley Knight is Keanu's mom and Penn's neighbor. I love her.
I guess what is new and different in this film is the realization that everything is from Pippa Lee's point of view and, at some point, we realize, or I do, that it could all be bullshit. But then I realize that it is not. She is being as honest with herself and us as she can be.
The early life stuff is hilarious/tragic as the speed addicted Mom runs the house with a frantic hand.
The young adult lost child life is most striking. The adult, trophy wife life is the one we are in now. And about to leave.
Some of the film is rough to "get". I wasn't enthralled with Pippa's kids at all. A distraction.
I would not mind seeing this again. I will give it a 4 out of Netflix5.
Labels: films
