Laurel Canyon (2002)

When an uptight young man and his fiancée move into his libertine mother's house, the resulting clash of life attitudes shakes everyone up.

Director:

Lisa Cholodenko

Writer:

Lisa Cholodenko

Stars:

Frances McDormand, Alessandro Nivola, Christian Bale

2 wins & 6 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Frances McDormand	...	Jane
Christian Bale	...	Sam
Kate Beckinsale	...	Alex
Natascha McElhone	...	Sara
Alessandro Nivola	...	Ian McKnight
Lou Barlow	...	Fripp (as Louis Knox Barlow)
Russell Pollard	...	Rowan
Imaad Wasif	...	Dean
Mickey Petralia	...	Mickey
Melissa De Sousa	...	Claudia
Alexandra Carter	...	Darla
Michelle DeMirjian	...	China (as Michelle Demirjian)
Rick Gonzalez	...	Wyatt
Dennis Howard	...	Mr. Elliot
Catherine McGoohan	...	Mrs. Elliot

Storyline

Newly graduated psychiatrist Sam and his fiancee Alex move to Los Angeles for Sam's residency and into Sam's mother's house in upscale Laurel Canyon. Only problem is, Sam's mother is still there, supposedly finishing up a record that she's producing for the band of her new boy toy, Ian. She seems more interested in smoking pot and drinking than actually working though. Alex doesn't mind but Sam is quite upset. Alex starts off focused on her work (finishing a dissertation on genomics), but is soon distracted by the rock-'n-roll lifestyle going on around her. Meanwhile, Sam is equally distracted by beautiful Israeli intern Sara.

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Plot Keywords:

boyfriend girlfriend relationship | united states of america | united states | usa | rock 'n' roll | 

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Taglines:

On the road to the perfect life, Sam & Alex took a little detour.

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Genres:

Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for sexuality, language and drug use

Did You Know?

Trivia

The second of two movies pairing Christian Bale and Kate Beckinsale. The first being Royal Deceit (1994).

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Goofs

The album-wrap party takes place in a suite on an upper floor of the Chateau Marmont (we see Ian order more champagne for the "penthouse suite", and the view from the balcony is clearly an upper floor). Yet when Sam storms out of the suite, then runs downstairs while arguing with Jane, they only descend one flight before reaching the lobby. There is a cut, but the dialog implies that no time was cut from their descent.

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Quotes

Cambridge Party Guest #1: [speaking to Sam] Take care of Alex. We don't want her joining the Scientologists
[Sam smiles]
Cambridge Party Guest #1: , or the vegetarians
[all laugh]

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Crazy Credits

Editorial Mensch ... Caryn Marcus

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Connections

References The Lost Battalion (2001)

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Soundtracks

What's My Name
Written by Jocaine (as Joe Binki)
Performed by Jocaine
Courtesy of Imperial Records

User Reviews

Great Performance

I've just seen Laurel Canyon and I think it is a good movie. The main reason is because of the performances, especially from Christian Bale. He did an amazing job playing a character going through some sort of inner turmoil, of trying to confine his emotions. There are a lot of powerful scenes, I can't tell you them but look out for it. As a married man I understand the temptation he has to deal with.

Kate Beckinsale(sp?) also did a convincing job of a playing the awkwardness of a foreigner in an unknown and exciting place.

Francis Macdormand(sp?) What can I say, she is always amazing, and natural.

Alessandro Nivola is a young actor who you should keep an eye out for! His screen presence has everything that is needed to live an immortal live on the silver screen.

May alone dissatisfaction is with the films aesthetic direction. It just wasn't coherent. Just compare the first shot with the metaphysical and poetic last shot! Who is to blame, the director or the cinematographer

Overall, if your looking to see a film with great performances, an acting film, this is worth watching.

Details

Official Sites:

Official site [United States] Sony Movie Channel [United States]

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

28 March 2003 (USA)

Also Known As:

Laurel Canyon

Filming Locations:

Chateau Marmont - 8221 Sunset Blvd., Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$149,099, 9 March 2003

Gross USA:

$3,663,356

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$4,412,203

Company Credits

Production Co:

Sony Pictures Classics, Good Machine, Antidote Films (I)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

103 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1