Review of Lymelife (2008) by Ola G — 28 Oct 2009

It is the late seventies and the setting is a suburban area on Long Island where two troubled families are failing to keep up the american dream. Scott Bartlett (Rory Culkin) is a slightly awkward and sensitive 15 year old boy who is trying to figure out his family and his own life. His father Mickey Bartlett (Alec Baldwin), a real estate agent with his own company and his overprotective mother Brenda Bartlett (Jill Hennessy) is getting closer to a divorce while Scotts older brother Jimmy (Rory Culkin) has enlisted in the army and will soon be shipped off to war. Scott has had a crush on his next door neighbour, Adrianna Bragg (Emma Roberts), for as long as he can remember. The problem is though that Adrianna looks upon Scott as a sybling, or that is at least what she says. And she claims as well that she only dates older guys. Adriannas family has troubles as well. Her mother Melissa Bragg (Cynthia Nixon) is playing bedroom games with her company partner Mickey (Scotts father) and her dad Charlie Bragg (Timothy Hutton) is getting sicker and sicker from what is believed to be Lyme disease. The facade is breaking up for the Bartletts and the Braggs and soon enough they all have to face the harsh reality and deal with it.

I felt initially that this might be just another way too quirky and off the loops indie vehicle, something I am kind of tired of right now. But, lo and behold, this is a quite good piece of film. Yes, there are some classic "strange indie elements", but the direction and acting is so good that it kills any doubts, whatever it might be. I think all involved is doing an excellent job in terms of the acting. Really top quality! Emma Roberts needs to be mentioned, she has the talent/pure beauty and many movies ahead of her. I really liked "Lymelife" and its bleak look upon the american 70s suburban dream. This is very good in my book.