A.C.’s Review: Every
now and then it’s a good idea to step out of your comfort zone and see a
movie you might not ordinarily see as it’s not in the genre you like.
For me going to Labor Day was such an
excursion and I was not disappointed.
The
film is a period piece taking place in 1987 recalling a long holiday
weekend in which an escaped convict takes shelter within the home of a
depressed divorced mother and her son who
appears to be what’s known as a “tween”. Before the weekend is over
the mom and the convict have fallen in love and began planning an escape
to Canada with the young son in tow. Whether that happens or not I will
not spoil.
This
is one of the most visually well shot films I have seen in a long time.
Lazy summer days in a bucolic small town leap off the screen in lush
visuals of the surrounding countryside and
the old house where the family lives. Anyone who has lived in a small
town like this and left it will find themselves longing for it after
seeing this movie.
There
is a solid cast featuring James Brolin and Kate Winslet (Titanic).
Winslet is de-glamorized here to depict her battle with depression
following the end of her marriage. The supporting
cast of characters that keep turning up to jeopardize the budding
romance are all well-acted and include James Vanderbeek as a deputy.
Some will complain the pace is slow but sometimes that’s okay; The film takes time to tell its story and tell it well.
It
is not a movie without its flaws…especially in how quickly the mom is
ready to give up her entire way of life and plans to run off to Prince
Edward Island with a man she has just met.
Especially one convicted of murder, however flashbacks clarify that it
was an unjust verdict.
If any adult drama is something you are looking for you can’t go wrong with Labor Day.
A.C.’s Rating: Full Price Admission.
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