Post by mise on Sept 18, 2006 8:07:24 GMT 3
This is a slightly depressing but very good portrayal of the emotions, complications and difficulties involved in the break-up of a couple, especially when kids are involved. It is set in 1980's Brooklyn, and stars Jeff Daniels, Laura Linney and William Baldwin.
When I mentioned it recently on my blog, I said that the director, Noah Baumbach, must be very observant or must have had some experience of such a break-up. I saw on the IMDb afterwards that it is actually based on his own childhood experiences, so that explains how well the kids are portrayed in the movie. The children are played brilliantly by Owen Kline, a family friend of Baumbach's, and Jesse Eisenberg.
There's one very moving scene between Daniels and Linney at the doorway of their former home, where she now lives alone, which really emphasised for me how hard it is to split up with someone with whom you've had years of intimate experiences, especially those involving your children.
I've always liked Laura Linney, and she's really good in this. She's got such an expressive face, especially her eyes. Baumbach originally wanted Bill Murray for the male lead, but he wasn't available. He would have been great in the part too, with that hangdog look of his (See Lost in Translation and Broken Flowers), but Jeff Daniels is excellent.
Anyway, I loved it and it's definitely worth watching.
When I mentioned it recently on my blog, I said that the director, Noah Baumbach, must be very observant or must have had some experience of such a break-up. I saw on the IMDb afterwards that it is actually based on his own childhood experiences, so that explains how well the kids are portrayed in the movie. The children are played brilliantly by Owen Kline, a family friend of Baumbach's, and Jesse Eisenberg.
There's one very moving scene between Daniels and Linney at the doorway of their former home, where she now lives alone, which really emphasised for me how hard it is to split up with someone with whom you've had years of intimate experiences, especially those involving your children.
I've always liked Laura Linney, and she's really good in this. She's got such an expressive face, especially her eyes. Baumbach originally wanted Bill Murray for the male lead, but he wasn't available. He would have been great in the part too, with that hangdog look of his (See Lost in Translation and Broken Flowers), but Jeff Daniels is excellent.
Anyway, I loved it and it's definitely worth watching.
