Review of The United States of Leland (2003) by Susan W — 16 Nov 2008

2004, really? I think this film sat for a while before it was released. Ryan Gosling looks about 16 in this (appropriate for the film) and based on my watching of Weeds, Martin Donovan has aged a few years too.

Regardless, although the acting was very good (and why wouldn't it be with this cast), the film kept my attention but was ultimately not that great. In fact, it moved pretty darn slow. And it wasn't very moving. Mostly it was sad, and I got that far more from Leland's side of the story than whatever was going on to prompt the action in Becky's family. There was a suggestion of distance there but not enough time with the family to explain it. I kept thinking that we'd learn that the three children were step siblings from a later life marriage, which would also connect to the mother's distance. Anyway... not very moving.

Different work by Chris Klein and it was great to see Sherilyn Fenn again.

If you're watching the Ryan Gosling canon of films (as I have found myself doing), definitely see it. Otherwise, meh.