| Photos (See all 130 | slideshow) | Videos (see all 12) |
| Orlando Bloom | ... | Drew Baylor | |
| Kirsten Dunst | ... | Claire Colburn | |
| Susan Sarandon | ... | Hollie Baylor | |
| Alec Baldwin | ... | Phil Devoss | |
| Bruce McGill | ... | Bill Banyon | |
| Judy Greer | ... | Heather Baylor | |
| Jessica Biel | ... | Ellen Kishmore | |
| Paul Schneider | ... | Jessie Baylor | |
| Loudon Wainwright III | ... | Uncle Dale (as Loudon Wainwright) | |
| Gailard Sartain | ... | Charles Dean | |
| Jed Rees | ... | Chuck Hasboro | |
| Paula Deen | ... | Aunt Dora | |
| Dan Biggers | ... | Uncle Roy | |
| Alice Marie Crowe | ... | Aunt Lena | |
| Tim Devitt | ... | Mitch Baylor | |
| Ted Manson | ... | Sad Joe | |
| Maxwell Moss Steen | ... | Samson | |
| Reid Thompson Steen | ... | Samson | |
| Shane Lyons | ... | Starstruck Kid (as Shane E. Lyons) | |
| Emily Rutherfurd | ... | Cindy Hasboro | |
| Michael Naughton | ... | Another Cousin | |
| Griffin Grabow | ... | Griffin | |
| Nina Jefferies | ... | Staring Mona | |
| Emily Goldwyn | ... | Star Basketball Player | |
| Kristin Lindquist | ... | Connie | |
| Allison Munn | ... | Desk Clerk Charlotte | |
| Tom Humbarger | ... | Crematory Concierge | |
| Patty Griffin | ... | Sharon | |
| Gregory North | ... | Helicopter Pilot | |
| Steve Seagren | ... | Dock Worker | |
| Guy Stevenson | ... | Security Guard | |
| Jeffrey De Serrano | ... | Security Guard | |
| Jeanette O'Connor | ... | Assistant | |
| Catherine McGoohan | ... | Assistant | |
| Sean Nepita | ... | Mike Bohannon | |
| Dena DeCola | ... | Debbie | |
| David Brandt | ... | Hotel Manager | |
| Jenny Gregg Stewart | ... | Loud Kid (as Jenny Stewart) | |
| Delaney Keefe | ... | Loud Kid | |
| Travis Howard | ... | Electrician | |
| Bobby Daniels | ... | Des | |
| Rod Burke | ... | Raymond | |
| Nate Mooney | ... | Trent | |
| Judy Pryor Trice | ... | Woman in Finery (as Judy Trice) | |
| Jim Fitzpatrick | ... | Rusty | |
| Jim James | ... | Jessie's Band | |
| Two-Tone Tommy | ... | Jessie's Band | |
| Patrick Hallahan | ... | Jessie's Band | |
| Charlie Crowe | ... | Jessie's Band (as Charlie 'Bill' Crowe) | |
| Carl Broemel | ... | Jessie's Band | |
| Scott Sener | ... | Jessie's Band | |
| John M. Sullivan | ... | Etown Veteran | |
| Sonny King | ... | Etown Veteran | |
| Erwin Russell Marlowe | ... | Etown Veteran | |
| Michael Hatch | ... | Drew at Age 6 | |
| Masam Holden | ... | Drew at Age 10 | |
| Kelly Pendygraft | ... | Rebecca the Bridesmaid | |
| Jennifer Woods | ... | Bridesmaid | |
| Alana Ball | ... | Maid of Honor | |
| Russell George | ... | Russ from Ernestine and Hazel's | |
| Ralph Conlee | ... | Man on the Bench | |
| Billy Tencza | ... | Brett | |
| Hailey Knight | ... | Isis | |
| Nicky Roos | ... | Sharon's Son | |
| Zane Rice | ... | Little Chapel Boy | |
| Kassie Pinegar | ... | Little Howling Girl (as Kassie Bay Pinegar) | |
| Daya Fernandez | ... | Mercury Shoe Designer | |
| Michael Jaroscak | ... | The Young Recruit | |
| Nigel Miguel | ... | Basketball Coach (as Nigel Patrick Miguel) | |
| Samantha Ray | ... | Frightened Memorial-goer | |
| Nicole Spector | ... | Other Girl in Red Hat | |
| rest of cast listed alphabetically: | |||
| Leslie David Baker | ... | Airport Security #2 (uncredited) | |
| Karen Boles | ... | Flight Attendant (uncredited) | |
| John Will Clay | ... | Groomsman (uncredited) | |
| Kari Cornwell | ... | Business Traveler (uncredited) | |
| Caprice Crawford | ... | Shoe Girl (uncredited) | |
| John D. Crawford | ... | Executive Shoe Designer (uncredited) | |
| Osa Danam | ... | Guest at Memorial (uncredited) | |
| Kyle Davis | ... | Artsy Guy (uncredited) | |
| Jack Forbes | ... | Airport Security #3 (uncredited) | |
| Christopher Gehrman | ... | Waffle House Man (uncredited) | |
| Coleman Horn | ... | Mercury Shoe Designer (uncredited) | |
| Christopher Hurt | ... | Featured Extra (uncredited) | |
| Steven Judd | ... | Military Guy (uncredited) | |
| Shane Kaufman | ... | Baylor Nephew (uncredited) | |
| Joe Koons | ... | Cousin Jimmy (uncredited) | |
| Wendy Kush | ... | Wedding Guest (uncredited) | |
| Donald J. Lee Jr. | ... | Hurrache Sandal Guy (uncredited) | |
| Rana McAnear | ... | Dancing Girl (uncredited) | |
| Ashley D. Merritt | ... | Daughter (uncredited) | |
| Andrea Monier | ... | Co-worker (uncredited) | |
| Deborah Ouellette | ... | Dutch Girl (uncredited) | |
| Andrew Palmer | ... | Airport Security #1 (uncredited) | |
| Laurie Meghan Phelps | ... | Mercury Dancing Executive Assistant (uncredited) | |
| Matt Rabinowitz | ... | Frederick the Florsheim Guy (uncredited) | |
| Lucas Ross | ... | Army Guy #2 (uncredited) | |
| Jason Saint | ... | Extra (uncredited) | |
| Deidra Sarego | ... | Executive Assistant (uncredited) | |
| Delbert Shoopman | ... | Extra (uncredited) | |
| Paul Smith | ... | Server (uncredited) | |
| Toni Sprague | ... | Blonde Pearl Wearing Woman (uncredited) | |
| Hugh Jennings Townsend | ... | Construction Foreman (uncredited) | |
| Kelvin Yu | ... | David Tan (uncredited) | |
| Diva Zappa | ... | Artsy Girl (uncredited) | |
Directed by | |||
| Cameron Crowe | |||
Writing credits(WGA) | ||
| Cameron Crowe | (written by) | |
Produced by | |||
| Cameron Crowe | .... | producer | |
| Tom Cruise | .... | producer | |
| Andy Fischer | .... | associate producer | |
| Donald J. Lee Jr. | .... | executive producer | |
| Paula Wagner | .... | producer | |
Original Music by | |||
| Nancy Wilson | |||
Cinematography by | |||
| John Toll | (director of photography) | ||
Film Editing by | |||
| David Moritz | |||
Casting by | |||
| Gail Levin | |||
Production Design by | |||
| Clay A. Griffith | |||
Art Direction by | |||
| Beat Frutiger | |||
Set Decoration by | |||
| Robert Greenfield | |||
Costume Design by | |||
| Nancy Steiner | |||
Makeup Department | |||
| Michèle Burke | .... | makeup designer (as Michele Burke) | |
| Michèle Burke | .... | makeup supervisor (as Michele Burke) | |
| Matt Danon | .... | key hair stylist | |
| Maggie Fung | .... | key makeup artist | |
| Susan V. Kalinowski | .... | hair department head | |
| Mary L. Mastro | .... | key hair stylist | |
| Deborah Rutherford | .... | key makeup artist (as Deborah Patino) | |
| Camille Henderson | .... | makeup artist (uncredited) | |
| Margie Latinopoulos | .... | makeup artist (uncredited) | |
| Diane Pepper | .... | hair stylist (uncredited) | |
Production Management | |||
| Matthew J. Birch | .... | production supervisor | |
| Debbi Bossi | .... | post-production supervisor | |
| Donald J. Lee Jr. | .... | unit production manager | |
Second Unit Director or Assistant Director | |||
| Steven F. Beaupre | .... | second second assistant director | |
| Charlie Foster | .... | dga trainee | |
| Scott Andrew Robertson | .... | first assistant director (as Scott Robertson) | |
| Rebecca Stefan | .... | second assistant director: second unit | |
| Sunday Stevens | .... | second assistant director | |
| Eric Tignini | .... | first assistant director: second unit | |
| Robert 'Skid' Skidmore | .... | additional second assistant director: Los Angeles (uncredited) | |
Art Department | |||
| Peter Anderson | .... | propmaker sub-foreperson | |
| Jim Bandsuh | .... | conceptual illustrator | |
| Pedro Barquin | .... | greens | |
| Jenny Baum | .... | props | |
| James Bittl | .... | on-set greens (as James P. Bittl) | |
| Jack Blanchard | .... | set dresser (as Jack Blanchard Jr.) | |
| Mark Boucher | .... | set dresser | |
| Bobby Brayman | .... | set painter | |
| Arthur Brown Jr. | .... | labor foreperson | |
| Gary Clause | .... | general foreperson | |
| Larry Guy Clause | .... | propmaker foreperson (as Larry Clause) | |
| Mark Comperry | .... | labor foreperson | |
| Geoff Cormier | .... | greensperson: Kentucky (as Geoffrey Cormier) | |
| Minerva De Guzman | .... | construction auditor (as Minerva Deguzman) | |
| Brad Dean | .... | propmaker sub-foreperson | |
| Nancy Deren | .... | set designer | |
| Alan Easley | .... | set dresser | |
| Mathias Fain | .... | set dresser | |
| David Fanderlik | .... | propmaker sub-foreperson (as Dave Fanderlik) | |
| Maureen Farley | .... | property master | |
| Anthony Feola | .... | propmaker sub-foreperson (as Anthony J. Feola) | |
| Brian Feola | .... | propmaker sub-foreperson | |
| James Fernandez | .... | set dresser (as James Daniel Fernandez) | |
| John Foster | .... | propmaker sub-foreperson | |
| Doreen Gilbertson | .... | set painter | |
| Sean Ginevan | .... | lead person | |
| Nancy Gomes | .... | paint foreperson (as Nancy A. Gomes) | |
| Pat Gomes | .... | paint supervisor | |
| Tim Gomes | .... | paint foreperson | |
| Tony Gomes | .... | set painter | |
| Scott Goodale | .... | propmaker foreperson | |
| Robert Greenfield III | .... | set dresser (as Robert D. Greenfield III) | |
| Glen E. Hawbecker | .... | propmaker sub-foreperson (as Glen Hawbecker) | |
| Alex Hill | .... | storyboard artist (as Alex Hillkurtz) | |
| James Jackson | .... | set dresser (as Jim Jackson) | |
| Martha Johnston | .... | assistant art director | |
| Cliff Jones | .... | propmaker sub-foreperson | |
| Charles Kern | .... | on-set painter | |
| Adam Kirby | .... | set dresser | |
| Mark Lopez | .... | propmaker foreperson (as Mark C. Lopez) | |
| Travis Lungren | .... | set painter | |
| Calvin Magnum | .... | propmaker foreperson (as Calvin Mangum) | |
| Cameron Matheson | .... | set decorating foreperson | |
| John Hammer Maxwell | .... | on-set dresser (as John H. Maxwell) | |
| Craig McCormick | .... | propmaker sub-foreperson | |
| Pete 'Peanut' Medina | .... | labor supervisor | |
| Kevin Morrissey | .... | set designer | |
| Errol C. Nofziger | .... | paint foreperson (as Errol Nofzinger) | |
| Scott Owen | .... | set dresser (as D. Scott Owen) | |
| Paul Roberts | .... | propmaker sub-foreperson | |
| Eric Rosenberg | .... | graphic artist | |
| Doug Rosenberger | .... | propmaker foreperson (as Douglass Rosenberger) | |
| Terry Scott | .... | location foreperson | |
| William Sherk | .... | set painter | |
| Angela Stauffer | .... | art department coordinator | |
| Drew Sywanyk | .... | props | |
| Valerie Jo Van Norte | .... | assistant property master (as Valerie J. Van Norte) | |
| Mike Villarino | .... | construction coordinator (as Michael Villarino) | |
| Ciro Vuoso | .... | propmaker sub-foreperson | |
| Bennett Andrews | .... | daily greens (uncredited) | |
| Greg Bartkus | .... | assistant property master (uncredited) | |
| Greg Bartkus | .... | assistant props (uncredited) | |
| David Barton | .... | toolman (uncredited) | |
| Todd Bennett | .... | plaster foreman (uncredited) | |
| Ryan D. Compton | .... | propmaker (uncredited) | |
| Amanda Crockett | .... | set decoration coordinator (uncredited) | |
| D. Tobias Denney | .... | props (uncredited) | |
| Dupree Dial | .... | set dresser (uncredited) | |
| Adam Kass | .... | set decoration assistant (uncredited) | |
| Jonas Kirk | .... | construction coordinator: additional photography (uncredited) | |
| Thomas D. Krausz | .... | set dresser (uncredited) | |
| Cynthia La Jeunesse | .... | buyer (uncredited) | |
| Sean Lira | .... | set dresser (uncredited) | |
| David Loitz | .... | set dresser (uncredited) | |
| Joseph Magazenni | .... | art assistant (uncredited) | |
| Graham Ratliff | .... | art department assistant (uncredited) | |
| Rich Romig | .... | set designer (uncredited) | |
| Michael Ruby | .... | supervising signwriter (uncredited) | |
| Tara Shackelford-Lawton | .... | art production assistant (uncredited) | |
| Kaitlyn Weber | .... | art department production assistant (uncredited) | |
| Marcel Worch | .... | gang boss: additional photography (uncredited) | |
Special Effects by | |||
| Allen Hall | .... | special effects coordinator | |
| Matthew Hall | .... | special effects technician | |
| Jack Jennings | .... | special effects technician | |
| Craig Reedy | .... | special effects technician | |
| James Reedy | .... | special effects supervisor | |
| Juan Carlos Rodríguez | .... | special effects technician (as Carlos M. Rodriguez) | |
| Parry Willard | .... | special effects technician | |
| Fred Apolito | .... | special effects technician (uncredited) | |
Visual Effects by | |||
| Cosmas Paul Bolger Jr. | .... | visual effects supervisor: Digital Filmworks | |
| John Coats | .... | matte painting supervisor: Flash Film Works | |
| Tim Everitt | .... | compositing supervisor: Flash Film Works | |
| David Fogg | .... | digital compositor: Flash Film Works | |
| Dave Jacobs | .... | paint/rotoscope artist: Flash Film Works | |
| Lincoln Kupchak | .... | visual effects editor: Flash Film Works | |
| Zachary Linkow | .... | paint/rotoscope artist: Flash Film Works | |
| Ian McCarthy | .... | paint/rotoscope artist: Flash Film Works | |
| William Mesa | .... | visual effects supervisor: Flash Film Works | |
| Dan Novy | .... | visual effects technical supervisor: Flash Film Works | |
| Jeffrey A. Okun | .... | visual effects supervisor (as Jeff Okun) | |
| Jeffrey White | .... | visual effects producer: Flash Film Works | |
| Shauna M. Hirdler | .... | visual effects production assistant (uncredited) | |
| Marco S. Paolini | .... | digital compositor (uncredited) | |
| Patrick Peach | .... | visual effects production manager (uncredited) | |
| Claudia Sparrow | .... | visual effects intern (uncredited) | |
| Emily Wallin | .... | visual effects post-production coordinator (uncredited) | |
Camera and Electrical Department | |||
| Sal Alvarez | .... | film loader | |
| Dustin Ault | .... | grip | |
| Herb Ault | .... | grip: first company | |
| Ken W. Ballantine | .... | electrician (as Ken Ballantine) | |
| Tony Blaszczyk | .... | rigging grip (as Tony Blaszcyk) | |
| David Burnett | .... | assistant chief lighting technician (as David R. Burnett) | |
| Earl R. Cantrell | .... | rigging electrician (as Earl Cantrtell) | |
| Michael A. Chavez | .... | camera operator: "b" camera (as Michael Chavez) | |
| Donald D. Davidson | .... | electrician (as Donald Dean Davidson) | |
| Paul DeMarte | .... | first assistant photographer: "b" camera (as Paul Demarte) | |
| Dhamarata Dhiensuwana | .... | rigging grip: first company (as D. 'G' Dhiensuwana) | |
| Chris Duffy | .... | rigging grip | |
| Ted Eachis | .... | rigging grip | |
| Louie Escobar | .... | grip | |
| Paul J. Giacalone | .... | grip | |
| Mike F. Glover | .... | grip | |
| Oscar Gomez | .... | rigging grip: second company | |
| Bernie Hagadorn | .... | rigging grip (as Bernard Hagadorn) | |
| Vincent P. Hale | .... | rigging grip | |
| Jimmy Harritos | .... | rigging electrician | |
| David Inman | .... | grip (as David S. Inman) | |
| Danny Jimenez | .... | dolly grip (as Daniel S. Jimenez) | |
| Alan Kaneshiro | .... | electrician | |
| Thomas Ahlo Kelii | .... | electrician | |
| Steven D. Kucharski | .... | rigging technician (as Steven Kucharsky) | |
| Hugh McCallum | .... | grip | |
| Daniel P. Moore | .... | video assist | |
| Luis Moreno | .... | electrician | |
| Chris Napolitano | .... | chief rigging technician | |
| Edward R. Nedin | .... | assistant chief rigging technician | |
| David B. Nowell | .... | aerial director of photography: second unit | |
| Pat O'Mara | .... | grip: second company (as Patrick O'Mara) | |
| Fred Michael Palluzzi | .... | electrician | |
| David Parks | .... | rigging electrician | |
| Jeff Pelton | .... | second assistant photographer | |
| Neal Preston | .... | still photographer | |
| P. Scott Sakamoto | .... | Steadicam operator | |
| P. Scott Sakamoto | .... | camera operator | |
| Simon Scheeline | .... | grip | |
| John Seravic | .... | grip | |
| Patrick Skaggs | .... | grip (as Patrick Keith Skaggs) | |
| Stuart A. Spohn | .... | electrician (as Stuart Spohn) | |
| Russ St. John | .... | grip | |
| Jamie Stephens | .... | second assistant photographer: "b" camera | |
| Robert J. Studenny | .... | grip (as Robert Studenny) | |
| Peter Taylor | .... | video assist: second unit | |
| Skyler Tegland | .... | grip | |
| Vich Thiensuwana | .... | rigging grip | |
| Mike Thomas | .... | director of photography: second unit | |
| Chris Toll | .... | first assistant photographer | |
| Francis X. Valdez III | .... | assistant chief lighting technician | |
| Tony Varuola | .... | electrician (as Anthony Varuola) | |
| Jeffrey L. Wilson | .... | grip | |
| Randy Woodside | .... | chief lighting technician (as Randy 'Woody' Woodside) | |
| Steve Zvorsky | .... | rigging electrician (as Stephen Zvorsky) | |
| Jake Avignone | .... | second assistant additional camera (uncredited) | |
| Jeff Durling | .... | electrician (uncredited) | |
| Rowland Egerton | .... | grip (uncredited) | |
| Alan Jacoby | .... | additional film loader (uncredited) | |
| Eric Leach | .... | rigging grip (uncredited) | |
| Tom Loewy | .... | video playback operator (uncredited) | |
| Damon Marcellino | .... | assistant chief lighting technician: re-shoots (uncredited) | |
| Jimmie R. Owens | .... | rigging grip (uncredited) | |
| Matt Sohn | .... | camera operator: additional unit (uncredited) | |
| Bobby Spalding | .... | grip (uncredited) | |
| Luke Bird Stern | .... | second assistant photographer: "b" camera (uncredited) | |
| Mike Thomas | .... | camera operator (uncredited) | |
Casting Department | |||
| Andrew S. Brown | .... | additional casting | |
| Natasha Cuba | .... | casting assistant | |
| Jason Kennedy | .... | casting associate | |
| Rich King | .... | background casting | |
| Barbara J. McCarthy | .... | additional casting | |
| Kim McCray | .... | location background casting associate: Kentucky | |
| Caitlin McKenna-Wilkinson | .... | voice casting (as Caitlin McKenna) | |
| Kim Petrosky | .... | regional casting | |
| Kean Cronin | .... | extras casting (uncredited) | |
| Chris Freihofer | .... | location casting: Oklahoma (uncredited) | |
| Michael Glenn | .... | casting intern (uncredited) | |
| Krista Jablonski | .... | casting intern (uncredited) | |
| Mara Kelly | .... | casting intern (uncredited) | |
| Tyler R. Mann | .... | extras casting assistant: Oklahoma (uncredited) | |
| Mike Mohr | .... | casting assistant (uncredited) | |
| Mandy Overton | .... | extras casting assistant: Oklahoma (uncredited) | |
Costume and Wardrobe Department | |||
| Anita Louise Brown | .... | key set costumer (as Anita Brown) | |
| Trayce Gigi Field | .... | assistant costume designer | |
| Scott R. Hankins | .... | set costumer (as Scott Hankins) | |
| Coleman Horn | .... | consultant: shoes | |
| Stacy Horn | .... | costume supervisor (as Stacy M. Horn) | |
| Carol Quiroz | .... | costumer | |
| Melissa Antablin | .... | costumer (uncredited) | |
| Lina Yoko Hitomi | .... | costume assistant (uncredited) | |
| Mathew Hooey | .... | additional costumer (uncredited) | |
| Lisa Hyde | .... | set costumer (uncredited) | |
| Tricia Yoo | .... | set costumer (uncredited) | |
Editorial Department | |||
| Michael Hatzer | .... | color timer | |
| Mark Livolsi | .... | additional editor | |
| Mary Nelson-Duerrstein | .... | negative cutter (as Mary Nelson-Fraser) | |
| Staci Pontius | .... | assistant editor | |
| Fred C. Vitale | .... | assistant editor (as Fred Vitale) | |
| Besnik Vlashi | .... | post-production assistant | |
| Stefanie Wiseman | .... | assistant editor | |
| Gina Zappala | .... | assistant editor | |
| Marisa Clayton | .... | post-production coordinator: Modern VideoFilm (uncredited) | |
| Lise Johnson | .... | apprentice editor (uncredited) | |
| Sarah Ogletree | .... | post-production coordinator (uncredited) | |
| Laura Rindner | .... | assistant editor (uncredited) | |
| Drew Sherman | .... | post-production assistant (uncredited) | |
Music Department | |||
| Mike Inez | .... | musician: bass | |
| Carlton Kaller | .... | scoring mixer | |
| Carlton Kaller | .... | supervising music editor | |
| Jason Ruder | .... | music editor | |
| Deborah Shair | .... | musician: concert harp | |
| Ben Smith | .... | musician: drums | |
| Jason Stockwell | .... | multi-instrument coordinator | |
| Nancy Wilson | .... | musician: all instruments | |
| Denise Carver | .... | music clearances (uncredited) | |
| Bud Raymond | .... | music playback operator (uncredited) | |
| Gary Raymond | .... | music playback (uncredited) | |
Transportation Department | |||
| Craig Fehrman | .... | transportation coordinator | |
| Timothy P. Logsdon | .... | transportation captain: Kentucky | |
| Walter McClain | .... | transportation captain | |
| David Diaz | .... | transportation dispatcher (uncredited) | |
| Marcelle 'Kitty' Dutton | .... | driver (uncredited) | |
| Christian G. Ervin | .... | driver: set dressing (uncredited) | |
| J. Armin Garza II | .... | driver: camera car (uncredited) | |
| Scott Howard | .... | transportation (uncredited) | |
| Paul Jones | .... | driver (uncredited) | |
| Mel Langford | .... | transportation (uncredited) | |
| Joel Larson | .... | transportation (uncredited) | |
| Kathryn Moll | .... | driver (uncredited) | |
| Bob Rosen | .... | driver: set dressing (uncredited) | |
| Dana Schisler | .... | driver (uncredited) | |
Thanks | |||
| James A. Crowe | .... | dedicatee | |
| Joe Lampkin | .... | acknowledgment: Louisville metro police representative | |
| Gary W. Martin | .... | acknowledgment: Kentucky state police (as Sgt. Gary W. Martin) | |
| Scott McMichael | .... | acknowledgment: Kentucky state police | |
| Joni Mitchell | .... | acknowledgment: "Hyde Park" painting courtesy of | |
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| Kings & Queen | When Did You Last See Your Father? | My Own Private Idaho | Click | Love in the Time of Cholera |
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| Full cast and crew | Company credits | External reviews |
| News articles | IMDb Comedy section | IMDb USA section |
I went into this movie hopeful but not expecting too much, given the poor reviews I had seen for it. I walked out impressed and touched, surprised by how much I really enjoyed it, and wondering if other people would give it a chance and enjoy it, as well. Time will tell.
The things that I liked about this movie are easy to feel but not so easy to describe. There were moments that really got to me, bits of scenes that touched me and caught in my memory, and time and again I found myself nodding and smiling and thinking, "I know exactly how he feels," or "I remember that feeling." Somehow, this story was good in a different way than Garden State was good. I loved Garden State, and the plot of Elizabethtown is enough like Garden State that it was hard not to have it in mind when I sat down in the theatre, but the two movies are really quite different. Crowe's Elizabethtown felt more real than Braf's Garden State, and somewhat less contrived.
Elizabethtown is the kind of movie you should see on a sunny autumn afternoon after a walk with an old friend. It has a joy to it, a basic sense of optimism and a light touch, so that it never crossed the line from sadness into tragedy and melodrama. Crowe doesn't let us fall into sentiment, but he deftly weaves a story that could have been corny and sentimental in lesser hands. I read critics who said he let the music play the emotions for us, but I can't agree, because I think that the cast did an excellent job portraying people I could really feel for and with, especially Orlando Bloom.
Orlando Bloom's Drew Baylor is introduced in a moment of pain and panic, utterly emotionally blocked, repeating "I'm fine" while feeling suicidal and saying "My condolences" to strangers and distant relatives as if the loss of his father belongs to them and not to him. In the film, he relaxes and grows emotionally under the tutelage of Kirsten Dunst's Claire, and together they work their way through the American heartland into a tender relationship and a new perspective on the meaning and value of life and success. His American accent and her Southern drawl might both be a little off at times, but it was easy to forgive in the interest of watching what happened next.
From the side stories of the secondary characters (Susan Sarandon is delightful, as always, in a turn as a widow whose reaction to her husband's death is to reach out and grab life with both hands) to the road trip into Americana, all the quirky little moments that felt real and sincere made this movie one that I enjoyed watching and will think about and remember. I hope you enjoy it, too!