Review of Laurel Canyon (2003) by Ola G — 30 Oct 2009

Newly graduated psychiatrist Sam (Christian Bale) and his fiancee Alex (Kate Beckinsale) moves to Los Angeles for Sam's residency. His mother Jane, a slightly hippiefied rock n roll producer, has a beautiful house in Laurel Canyon, which would fit Sam and Alex. The problem is that Jane (Frances McDormand) is still there supposedly finishing up a record with a band, whos singer Ian McKnight (Allessandro Nivola), is her new boyfriend. There is a constant partying and creative indifferences during the sessions. Sam is reluctant to stay there with his mother being there at the same time. She represents everything he does not want to be. While Sam is working, Alex is writing her dissertation, but soon enough she is sucked into the world of rock n roll via partying with Jane and Ian. Alex feels more and more attracted to Ian, while Sam is feeling more and more attracted to the Israeli intern Sara (Natascha McElhone) at work. Alex and Sam need to find what they really cherish in life and fight for it.

"Laurel Canyon" is a classic relationship drama. Man/Woman vs Child/Parent. Is the grass greener on the other side? There is a "You need to learn how to appreciate what you got" kind of feeling. The story itself is maybe not so intriguing in that retrospect, but I reckon the acting from Bale, Beckinsale, McDormand and Nivola carries the movie above the storyline. I like all four, and Beckinsale is as good looking as ever in "Laurel Canyon". This is a solid three on my scale.