Review of Winter Solstice (2004) by James B — 18 Jul 2006

Winter Solstice -- :fresh:

Some people hate movies which have a very fast, if existent, resolution. I would disagree. I love a movie where you are expecting something to happen, or someone to get together with someone else, or what-have-you, and instead, you get a slow fade out to black. There is really nothing more satisfying then that sort of an ending. That sounds funny, but when you think about it, it is true for several reasons. To begin, it forces you to look back and consider what you have seen to figure out where you missed the beginning of the resolution. It makes a person go back and really think about what they have just seen. Also, it allows the viewer to draw some of his own conclusions. There is almost no better way to end a film.

This was done wonderfully in Josh Sternfeld?s Winter Solstice. This is the touching and realistic look at a father and his two sons in New Jersey, still coping with the death of their mother and wife. It is the story of how the three deal with their own feelings and issues, and with each other and those surrounding the family. The father, Anthony Lapagnia (Without a Trace) buries himself in his landscaping business, he youngest son, Mark Webber, becomes dispassionate about school and the family, and the eldest son, Aaron Stanford, decides to run from it all; even his girlfriend played by Michelle Monaghan (Kiss Kiss Bang Bang). Thrown into the mix is new comer to the neighborhood, played by Allison Janney (West Wing).

While it seems like a fairly formulaic movie, it doesn?t end quite as one would guess. It incredibly well shot and directed, and the acting is phenomenal. If anything, the only real downfall was the lack of adequate screen time for the talented Janney and Monaghan. While the focus on the three men provides a very deep understanding and real look at their lives, the other actors, including Ron Livingston (Office Space) were certainly up to the task of taking on more.

Overall a very good movie. It isn?t the formulaic family drama with a twist that one would expect. I would definitely recommend renting it, although waiting for it on HBO is probably soon enough.