Review of Labor Day (2013) by Matt L — 01 Feb 2014

Directed by Jason Reitman (Up in the Air, Juno) and based on the novel of the same name by Joyce Maynard, Labor Day stars Kate Winslet as Adele Wheeler ? a divorced mother of one that suffers from depression. One day, while clothes shopping with her 13-year-old-son, Henry (Gattlin Griffith), she is approached by a stranger, Frank Chambers (Josh Brolin), who forces her to take him to their home. Initially appearing to be threatening, Frank managers to ease Adele and Henry?s fear ? even despite the fact that he reveals that he?s an escaped convict and on the run.

Frank is wanted for murder, but he claims he?s never intentionally hurt anyone and just needs a place to hide out over the Labor Day weekend until he can catch a train out of town. In return for their silence, Frank graciously volunteers his help by making home repairs, cooking, etc. Adele and Henry quickly take to Frank, not having a man around the house ? at least since Adele?s husband, Gerald (Clark Gregg), left and remarried.

As the story progresses, flashbacks ensue reliving the events leading up to the death that eventually landed Frank in jail. Even despite his past, Adele doesn?t ask questions and quickly falls for him. However, with neighbors randomly stopping by to check up on Adele and police constantly patrolling the area, it?s not visible for them to remain in Adele?s house. They devise a plan to make a run for it and head to Canada ? but they must attempt to do so without bringing attention to themselves.

Labor Day is really a three-person story all rolled into one, the first of which belongs to the character portrayed by Kate Winslet. It?s becoming harder and harder to find adjectives to describe the flawless acting ability that she possesses. In all honesty, a movie can be just dreadful, but at least if Kate?s in the film, you are guaranteed to have at least one character that will not disappoint you. And, her portrayal of Adele Wheeler is no exception. Portraying a depressed mother that?s suffered through the hardship of a failed marriage while trying to raise her only son has never looked as good. Her character?s emotional state in this film says it all, conveying heartbreak, compassion, and unconditional love. If for no other reason, you should watch this film for the sheer excellence of Kate Winslet.

While Winslet shines ever so brightly through the entirety of this film, so does her co-star, Josh Brolin. In my opinion, Brolin is one of the most under appreciated actors in Hollywood. Sure, his resume is full of relatively obscure roles, such as his portrayal of George W. Bush in W. or Llewelyn Moss in No Country for Old Men, but his stock as a leading man is continuously on the rise ? even more so after his role as Frank Chambers. The prominence of his character is evident in the duel storylines about Frank, one young and one in the present storyline. Brolin portrays an appreciative authority character that knows the value of freedom and utter importance of family. His on-screen chemistry with Winslet is blatantly obvious and is one of the reasons this film will put a strangle hold on your attention for its duration.

Lastly, Labor Day is also a coming-of-age story for Adele?s son, Henry. The film begins with voiceover work from Toby Maguire who briefly portrays Henry in the film?s final moments. But, for the majority of the film, Gattlin Griffith carries the character on his shoulders. Henry is an impressionable character, reminiscent of Duncan (Liam James) in another recent ?growing up? film, The Way Way Back. And, while Griffith does an admirable job of holding his own in scenes with Winslet and Brolin, he shines the most during interactions with his rather ambitious, charismatic ?girlfriend,? ? portrayed by Brighid Fleming. The film?s lighthearted, humorous moments also unexpectedly come from the two young actors.

Obviously, the acting is outstanding in this film, yet the most annoying part of watching this movie is the fact that it?s another prime example of having too much of its plot given away by the two-minute movie trailer. In the event that you?ve the trailer, then you can probably image the direction in which this works towards. Regardless, the only drawback of the film is the slightly clunky plot progression. In one particular scene, now acting as a family, Frank, Adele, and Henry are all in the kitchen making a pie together. That?s right, for about five minutes, you watch three people make a pie. No joke ? it will feel like you?re watching the Food Network. However, the good news is this scene becomes a massively important plot point. And, if you still don?t care for this flick by the time the credits roll, you?ll at least understand what kind of work goes into making a pie.

Overall, Labor Day is enjoyable mostly because of the tremendous acting performances from both Kate Winslet and Josh Brolin. Unfortunately it does have its slow moments, though. About half way through this movie, you will likely be rethinking your choice to watch it ? but do yourself a favor and hang in there. It gets extremely interesting and have you heart pounding a bit right around the midway point. For me personally, the ending was the selling point. The conclusion will tie everything together nicely and leave many reaching for a tissue to dry their eyes. It might be a bit of a spoiler, but for those of you worrying about the possibilities of a melancholy ending, rest assured that won?t be the case here.

GRADE: B-.