Limbo (1999)

In an economically devastated Alaskan town, a fisherman with a troublesome past dates a woman whose young daughter does not approve of him. When he witnesses the murder of his shady brother, he, the woman and the kid run to the wilderness.

Director:

John Sayles

Writer:

John Sayles

Stars:

David Strathairn, Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio, Vanessa Martinez

2 wins & 5 nominations.

Cast

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

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:

wilderness | singer | island | alaska | motorboat | 

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Taglines:

A condition of unknowable outcome

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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 USA:

$139,634, 6 June 1999, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$1,997,807, 15 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?

Trivia

Filmed entirely in Alaska.

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Goofs

On some occasions when Noelle is reading from the diary in the cabin, she's sitting with her back to the fireplace. Since the fire is the only source of light at night, that would put the diary in shadow and make it unreadable.

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Quotes

Donna: Fisherman?
Joe: Yeah, I was.
Donna: Like it?
Joe: While it lasted, yes.
Donna: You didn't go on anymore?
Joe: Nope.
Donna: Why not?
Joe: Unforeseen circumstances.

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Connections

Featured in Siskel & Ebert: Instinct/The Loss of Sexual Innocence/Limbo (1999)

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Soundtracks

Pas Salé
Arranged by Jimmy Macdonell
Performed by Loup Garou

User Reviews

A haunting, elegiac thriller.

Having finally caught us with John Sayles' "Limbo", it must be said that the king of the indie scene can still surpass any genre.

Casting his friend (and movie veteran) David Strathairn as an Alaskan fisherman with an emotional crisis is one of the film's many pluses. Strathairn brings an everyman quality to every role he's in. The film is also not unlike Strathairn's own "The River Wild". At least, without the contrivances. Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio is also good as a bar singer (she sings pretty well too) hauling her teenage daughter (Vanessa Martinez, very good in her debut) through gig after gig. The film also has some thriller elements; but, this of course, is Sayles, who wisely pushes for character development and dialogue ladened with truth.

As he proved with EIGHT MEN OUT, MATEWAN, CITY OF HOPE, and PASSION FISH, Sayles is a truly gifted writer/director. Keep it coming.