Limbo (1999)

Unconventional narrative about the interactions amongst a group of people in a small town in Alaska, each of whom has guards a secret.

Director:

John Sayles

Writer:

John Sayles

Stars:

Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio, David Strathairn, Vanessa Martinez

2 wins & 4 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio	...	Donna De Angelo
David Strathairn	...	'Jumpin' Joe Gastineau
Vanessa Martinez	...	Noelle De Angelo
Hermínio Ramos	...	Ricky
Kris Kristofferson	...	'Smilin' Jack Johannson
Dawn McInturff	...	Audrey
Casey Siemaszko	...	Bobby Gastineau
Kathryn Grody	...	Frankie
Tom Biss	...	Baines
Rita Taggart	...	Lou
Leo Burmester	...	Harmon King
Michael Laskin	...	Albright
Jimmy MacDonell	...	Randy Mason
Mérit Carlson-van Dort	...	Stacy
Monica Brandner	...	Corky

Storyline

Limbo tells the story of people trying to reinvent themselves in the Southeastern islands of Alaska. The story revolves around Joe Gastineau, a fisherman traumatised by an accident at sea years before, singer Donna de Angelo and her disaffected daughter Noelle who come into Joe's life. When Joe's fast-talking half-brother Bobby returns to town and asks Joe for a favor, the lives of the characters are changed forever.

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Plot Keywords:

alaska | island | singer | wilderness | wedding party | 

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Taglines:

Acclaimed director John Sayles takes you to the heart of America's last frontier

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Genres:

Adventure | Drama | Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

7 July 1999 (France)

Also Known As:

Ennen kuolemaa

Filming Locations:

DIPAC Salmon Hatchery - 2697 Channel Drive, Juneau, Alaska, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$8,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

$139,634 (USA) (4 June 1999)

Gross:

$1,997,807 (USA) (13 August 1999)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Green/Renzi

Technical Specs

Runtime:

126 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby SDDS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Goofs

In a scene near the beginning Donna (Mastrantonio) and Joe (Straithairn) are riding in his truck. Donna's cigarette smoke is blowing away behind her and in close-up her hair is moving, but throughout the scene you can see the windows are obviously both closed.

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Quotes

Joe: So, how did your stuff end up at his place?
Donna: Unforeseen circumstances.

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Soundtracks

"Georgy Porgy"
Written by Duke Levine and Mason Daring
Performed by Duke Levine

User Reviews

Great film and a notable DVD

After seeing this movie on DVD, I found that I admired Sayles as a director, actress Mastrantonio as a talented singer, and David Straithern as an actor. Earlier I was only familiar with the above-average work of Mastrantonio but here she is remarkable. It is indeed sad that such interesting and well-made movies never fetch an Oscar, if not major Oscars. It is indeed "Ox-bow incident" revisited.

Every aspect of the film is well crafted and rivetting for any intelligent viewer.

The DVD commentary is a great one for movie enthusiasts.