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Palindromes (2004)
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Overview
User Rating:
Director:
Writer:
Todd Solondz (written by)
Release Date:
21 January 2005 (Sweden)
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Plot:
Aviva is thirteen, awkward and sensitive. Her mother Joyce is warm and loving, as is her father, Steve, a regular guy who does have a fierce temper from time to time. The film revolves around her family, friends and neighbors. full summary | full synopsis
Awards:
2 nominations
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NewsDesk:
(15 articles)
Tiff ‘09: Short Takes
(From SoundOnSight. 24 September 2009, 9:54 AM, PDT)
Toronto Mini: 'Life During Wartime' treads familiar ground
(From Hitfix. 21 September 2009, 9:00 AM, PDT)
(From SoundOnSight. 24 September 2009, 9:54 AM, PDT)
Toronto Mini: 'Life During Wartime' treads familiar ground
(From Hitfix. 21 September 2009, 9:00 AM, PDT)
User Comments:
Solondz Has Certainly Not Taken the Easy Option
more (107 total)
Cast
(Cast overview, first billed only) | Matthew Faber | ... | Mark Wiener |
| Angela Pietropinto | ... | Mrs. Wiener |
 | Bill Buell | ... | Mr. Wiener |
| Emani Sledge | ... | 'Dawn' Aviva |
 | Ellen Barkin | ... | Joyce Victor |
| Valerie Shusterov | ... | 'Judah' Aviva |
| Richard Masur | ... | Steve Victor |
| Hillary B. Smith | ... | Robin Wallace |
| Danton Stone | ... | Bruce Wallace |
 | Robert Agri | ... | First Judah |
| Hannah Freiman | ... | 'Henry' Aviva |
 | Stephen Singer | ... | Dr. Fleischer |
 | Rachel Corr | ... | 'Henrietta' Aviva |
| Stephen Adly Guirgis | ... | Joe / Earl / Bob |
| Will Denton | ... | 'Huckleberry' Aviva |
Additional Details
Parents Guide:
Runtime:
100 min
Country:
Color:
Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Certification:
Netherlands:12 |
Finland:K-15 |
New Zealand:R18 |
Germany:12 |
Singapore:M18 |
Canada:14A (Ontario) |
Iceland:16 |
Hungary:16 |
Italy:VM14 (video rating) |
Argentina:13 |
Hong Kong:III |
Ireland:16 |
Japan:R-15 |
Switzerland:14 (canton of Geneva) |
Switzerland:14 (canton of Vaud) |
UK:15 |
USA:Not Rated |
Australia:R
Filming Locations:
Company:
Fun Stuff
Trivia:
Director spent his entire life's saving on making the movie because no studios would back it.
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Goofs:
Miscellaneous: During the scene where Joyce Victor and Aviva are addressing envelopes, Mrs. Victor is licking stamps which are clearly self-adhesive.
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Quotes:
Mama Sunshine Aviva:
Last year, our special daughter Nainika ran away and... she didn't even have any legs. She wanted to return to her birthplace in India. Poor child. She didn't even make it as far as India, Tennessee.
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Movie Connections:
Featured in 2006 Independent Spirit Awards (2006) (TV)
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Soundtrack:
Fight For The Children
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FAQ
This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.more (107 total)
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Seen at the London Film Festival, 27/10/04.
I've seen a lot of strange films in my life, but this has to be right up there. Compared to this, "Happiness" was a crowd-pleasing knockabout comedy. I have to say that I found "Palindromes" hard going, even boring at times, although there was definitely a slow burn quality and by the end I was pretty much drawn in.
The film plays rather like a cross between Luis Bunuel and a live action "South Park". The multiple-actress technique pioneered in "That Obscure Object of Desire", deadpan style and flat picture quality on the one hand, taboo-breaking humour, song 'n' dance and perverse exploration of moral issues on the other.
I wonder what a conservative audience would make of this film. My guess is that it's aimed squarely at a liberal audience, but it absolutely refuses to pander to liberal prejudice, instead laying into the "pro-choice" position in a manner which can only be described as destruction testing. I get the feeling that Solondz is challenging his own opinions on the issue, as much as ours. Pro-lifers might see the storyline as vindicating their beliefs, but I dare say would be so horrified by other aspects of the film that they wouldn't make it to the end.
This is probably Solondz' bleakest movie to date, despite moments of (very dark) humour. Scientific rationalism is weighed against religious fundamentalism and both are found utterly wanting.
Incidentally there is no rape in this film, despite comments elsewhere, although there are certainly very disturbing scenes.
A brave movie, overall. I'm sure Solondz could take the David Lynch/John Waters route towards the (relative) mainstream with considerable success, but "Palindromes" sees him driving determinedly in the opposite direction, in every respect.