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The United States of Leland (2003)

 -  Crime | Drama | Romance  -  25 March 2005 (Italy)
7.1
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Ratings: 7.1/10 from 14,831 users   Metascore: 37/100
Reviews: 96 user | 63 critic | 27 from Metacritic.com

Tells the story of a young man's experience in a juvenile detention center that touches on the tumultuous changes that befall his family and the community in which he lives.

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Title: The United States of Leland (2003)

The United States of Leland (2003) on IMDb 7.1/10

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Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
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Marybeth Fitzgerald
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Harry Pollard
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Karen Pollard
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Ayesha
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Charlie
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Bengel
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Ryan Pollard
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Storyline

After stabbing an autistic boy, the sixteen year old troubled and pessimist Leland P. Fitzgerald is sent to a juvenile detention. His teacher and aspirant writer Pearl Madison gets close and tries to understand him, first with intention of writing a book, and later becoming his friend. Leland slowly discloses his sad vision of world. Written by Claudio Carvalho, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Plot Summary | Add Synopsis

Plot Keywords:

teacher | book | writer | boy | aspiring writer | See more »

Taglines:

Crime. Confusion. Compassion. They're all just states of mind.

Genres:

Crime | Drama | Romance

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language and some drug content | See all certifications »
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Details

Country:

Language:

Release Date:

25 March 2005 (Italy)  »

Also Known As:

20 Messerstiche  »

Filming Locations:


Box Office

Opening Weekend:

$48,384 (USA) (2 April 2004)

Gross:

$343,816 (USA) (9 July 2004)
 »

Company Credits

Show detailed on  »

Technical Specs

Runtime:

| (Ontario)

Sound Mix:

Color:

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1
See  »
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Did You Know?

Goofs

In this movie, set in Arizona, all the cars shown have front and back license plates. However, in Arizona you are only issued two license plates if you have a personalized plate which none of the cars in the movie had. See more »

Quotes

Pearl Madison: This is bullshit, Elden. This is just red-tape bullshit and you know it.
Elden: No, Madison, this is about you running your own program. You asked me about this kid, I told you no. Then you, in effect, say: "Fuck you, I do whatever I want. Elden Gilmore be damned."
Pearl Madison: Look, this is about a kid who was so screwed up...
Elden: No, this is about a book. And you wanna talk about red-tape bullshit? Let's talk about how fast I could have you fired for turning your classroom over to non-certified personnel while you ...
[...]
See more »

Connections

Featured in Anatomy of a Scene: The United States of Leland (2004) See more »

Soundtracks

"Broke My Glasses in New Orleans"
Written and Performed by Adam Hoge
Copyright 2002 Adam Hoge
See more »

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User Reviews

 
Inspiring movie...
24 July 2005 | by (Florida) – See all my reviews

Don't let any reviews (critics, IMDb users or mine) influence you seeing this movie. I read only the plot premise and became intrigued. After watching, this movie, in my opinion, is definitely worth seeing. It gives a perspective on life that many have probably not contemplated. Its is not however, as Leland himself says, a movie that "can be wrapped up in a neat package with a bow and everything." Other user reviews on this website claim to have a psychological background and imply that the story is not feasible. Quite obviously they missed the entire point of the movie, which is disappointing. to say the least.

In short, it is a well acted, well directed movie. The story is not a feel good one, but I feel if you don't come away from the movie feeling good, you may just have missed something. To characterize it as "art house" is unfair, in my opinion, but as our society likes labels, this is probably the one that fits. If you find you know everything there is to know about the world... I'd suggest skipping this one. If you feel movies should be a form of escape "from the world"... you won't find it here. But if you do watch it... you just might find something in yourself.


51 of 62 people found this review helpful.  Was this review helpful to you?

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