Lymelife (2008)

User Rating:

8.1/10   

Director:

Derick Martini

Writers (WGA):

Derick Martini (written by) &
Steven Martini (written by)

Release Date:

17 September 2009 (Russia)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama

Tagline:

The American Dream Sucks

Plot:

A family unit begins to bow under the pressure of a failing marriage.

Plot Keywords:

Divorce | First Love | American Dream | Christmas | Suburbia

Awards:

1 win

US Showtimes:

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Cast

Alec Baldwin	...	Mickey Bartlett
Kieran Culkin	...	Jimmy Bartlett
Rory Culkin	...	Scott Bartlett
Jill Hennessy	...	Brenda Bartlett
Timothy Hutton	...	Charlie Bragg
Cynthia Nixon	...	Melissa Bragg
Emma Roberts	...	Adrianna Bragg
Adam Scarimbolo	...	Todd O'Leary
Phillip Pennestri	...	Father Pazo
Logan Huffman	...	Blaze Salado
Derick Martini	...	Photographer
Steven Martini	...	Taxi Driver
Matthew Martini	...	Jimmy's friend
Brandon Thane Wilson	...	Stewart

MPAA:

Rated R for language, some sexual content, violence and drug use.

Runtime:

USA:95 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital | Dolby SR (RCA Sound System)

Certification:

USA:R | Canada:13+ (Quebec) | Canada:14A (Alberta/British Columbia/Manitoba/Ontario)

Filming Locations:

Montclair High School - 100 Chestnut Street, Montclair, New Jersey, USA

Company:

A Martini Bros. Production

Trivia:

Alec Baldwin, Cynthia Nixon, Rory Culkin, Timothy Hutton and Kieran Culkin were attached to the film for four years.

Quotes:

Scott Bartlett: Maybe you should've had a girl, they tell their mothers everything.
Brenda Bartlett: Maybe you should have asked God for a mother who doesn't care about her children!

Movie Connections:

References The Wizard of Oz (1939)

Soundtrack:

The Tennessee Waltz

Best 2009 Indie by a landslide. Best directing debut in a decade.

Lymelife is one of those films you have to see twice in order to catch every detailed corner of the screen and every tick (pun intended) in all of the actors performances. The plot exists solely as an excuse to explore these fascinating, complex characters much like Martin Scorsese's Mean Streets. No coincidence he is a producer of the film. It captures a time and a place with ease but never smothers you in hokum. Standout performances upon second viewing go to Rory Culkin as the film's central character, a tall order for a youngster who carries the first twenty minutes of the film by observing and not saying too much. And that is the brilliance in the performance which he pulls off with ease and is extremely compelling in doing so. Alec Baldwin does his thing to a point. When everything goes downhill for him it is heartbreaking. Baldwin hasn't played a role like this in ages and it's great to see him back at it. Another is Timothy Hutton. An example of how confident this director is in his first film, he again uses very little dialogue and almost no exposition to establish Hutton's character's duality. He serves a a real person who suffers in silence, while somehow managing to provide a few gems of hilarious humor. He also serves as the film's theme, which really hit home the second time around. The first time the film is so engaging, especially in the way it is set up, that I found myself slightly behind most of the characters. Playing catch up is a great device that Martini uses to keep you fully engaged throughout the entire film. I really don't know how he did it with this human drama that has quite a bit of humor in it. This device is useful for a mystery type film, but somehow Martini manages to use it here to magnificent effect when applying it to his characters. To not spoil, my feeling on the ending is it is another risky choice that pays off. It is bold and beautiful. I did not want to leave the theater. Briefly, this is a must see, and I would not be surprised if some nominations come its way. Great work.