Aurora Borealis (2005)

A troubled young man struggling to right himself after the premature death of his father.

Director:

James C.E. Burke (as James Burke)

Writer:

Brent Boyd

Stars:

Joshua Jackson, Donald Sutherland, Juliette Lewis

8 wins & 4 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Joshua Jackson	...	Duncan Shorter
Steven Pasquale	...	Jacob Shorter
Katie Griffin	...	Sandy
Zack Ward	...	Lindstrom
Tyler Labine	...	Finn
Donald Sutherland	...	Ronald Shorter
Louise Fletcher	...	Ruth Shorter
Mark Andrada	...	Clerk
Juliette Lewis	...	Kate
Jim Feather	...	Mr. Gunderson
Judy Sinclair	...	Linda Shorter
Welcome Ngozi	...	Hamit Arfaya
John Kapelos	...	Stu
Dorion Davis	...	Lucy
Timm Sharp	...	Hacksetter

Storyline

Duncan is a depressed 20-something who has just lost another job. He makes extra money by letting out his flat for his brother's romantic trysts, but when a job comes up as a caretaker in his grandparent's building he takes it. His grandfather has Parkinson's Disease and he and his wife have a caregiver whom Duncan finds compellingly upbeat. As they begin a tentative romance, and Duncan spends more time with his grandparents, he begins to face his feelings about the early loss of his father. A moving drama, set in a frigid Minnesota landscape.

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Plot Keywords:

jersey the garment | urination | toilet | kitchen | fired from the job | 

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Taglines:

Love is the hardest job to hold. Love. The only job worth holding.

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Genres:

Drama | Romance

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language

Did You Know?

Trivia

In the scene were Ronald introduces Kate to Duncan he tells her what a good hockey player Duncan is. He comments that Duncan is almost as good as a Canuck. 'Canuck' is a slang term for someone from Canada. Joshua Jackson, the actor who plays Duncan, is actually from Vancouver, BC.

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Connections

References Bullitt (1968)

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Soundtracks

Love Is All Around
Written and Performed by Sonny Curtis
Courtesy of Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation

User Reviews

Moving story about a man trying to deal with his life and his family

I saw this film at the Watefront Film Festival in Saugatuck, Michigan. Directed by James Burke, the film is about unemployable Duncan Shorter (played by Joshua Jackson, making an impressive break from his usual teen and college aimed roles) who gets a new job as a handyman so he can be near his grandparents Ronald and Ruth (Donald Sutherland and Louise Fletcher). Juliette Lewis plays Kate, the home assistant of the grandparents, helping Ronald deal with his Alzheimer's disease. Duncan and Kate meet and quickly form a relationship. Set in the winter of Minnesota, the film is a touching story about a man trying to cope with the death of his father and trying to break free from his fears of the past, present, and future.

I really enjoyed this movie, the acting was wonderful. Donald Sutherland gives a heartbreaking performance as the deteriorating grandfather, it's not over the top, it's just true and believable, proving again why he is one of the greatest actors working today. It's nice to see Louise Fletcher in this giving another one of her great role, even if she doesn't get much screen time. Juliette Lewis also does a nice job, even though it does seem like a typical Lewis performance. And I really enjoyed Joshua Jackson, this is the first adult role I've seen him play and was very impressed. I'm really looking forward to seeing Jackson's future roles, now that I know he has this kind of range.

Overall, it was a nice film, worth watching just for the performances. I wish everybody involved with the making of it the best of luck.

Details

Official Sites:

Entitled Entertainment Regent Releasing

Country:

USA Canada

Language:

English

Release Date:

22 April 2005 (USA)

Also Known As:

Aurora Borealis

Filming Locations:

Hennepin Avenue Bridge, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$4,321, 17 September 2006

Gross USA:

$60,729

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$60,729

Company Credits

Production Co:

Entitled Entertainment, Rick Bieber Productions, Front & Centre Prod. Inc.

Technical Specs

Runtime:

110 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1