Loggerheads (2005)

Three overlapping stories of estranged families in three regions of North Carolina.

Director:

Tim Kirkman

Writers:

Caitlin Dixon (story collaboration), Tim Kirkman

Stars:

Kip Pardue, Michael Kelly, Tess Harper

3 wins & 1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Kip Pardue	...	Mark
Michael Kelly	...	George
Tess Harper	...	Elizabeth
Adrian Lee	...	Linda
Tammy Arnold	...	Patti
Chris Sarandon	...	Robert
Bonnie Hunt	...	Grace
Michael Esper	...	Gill
Bill Ladd	...	Rick
Trevor Gagnon	...	Julian
R. Adam Williams	...	Hector (as Adam Williams)
Valerie Watkins	...	Lola
Michael Learned	...	Sheridan
Joanne Pankow	...	Phyllis
Michael Harding	...	Ray (as Mike Harding)

Storyline

"Loggerheads" interweaves three separate but related stories that take place in different parts of North Carolina. On Mother's Day 1999, Mark, a young drifter with an interest in endangered loggerhead turtles, begins a relationship with motel handyman George. On Mother's Day 2000, Mark's adoptive mother Elizabeth wonders what has become of her estranged son. On Mother's Day 2001, Mark's birth mother Grace quits her job to begin a search for the child she gave up years before-a search that ultimately brings the stories together.

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Plot Keywords:

mother's day | north carolina | 2000s | drifter | birth mother | 

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Taglines:

One son. Two mothers. Three endangered lives.

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Genres:

Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for mature thematic material and brief strong language

Did You Know?

Trivia

From the director's commentary, the bedroom scene with Tess Harper and Chris Sarandon was filmed on location in a room too small for a film crew, so the entire scene was filmed from the hallway outside the room, using the reflection of the mirror on the wall.

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Connections

Featured in 2006 Glitter Awards (2006)

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Soundtracks

Forgiveness
Performed by Patty Griffin

User Reviews

A touching independent film

Kudos to Tim Kirkman for assembling a marvelous cast to tell the poignant story of "Loggerheads," a 2005 independent production filmed in North Carolina. "Loggerheads" (the title refers to large turtles as well as the normal meaning of the word) tells three different stories in three different time periods. The stories eventually intertwine. The first takes place in 1999 and stars Kip Pardue as Mark, an HIV-positive young man working to preserve the loggerheads. Kip is sleeping on Kure Beach in North Carolina until he is taken in by George (Michael Kelly), who lets him stay in the motel he manages.

In the second story, which takes place in 2000, an unhappy woman (Bonnie Hunt) who lives with her mother (Michael Learned) wants desperately to find the child she gave up for adoption but isn't having any luck until she meets a detective.

The third story is in 2001 and concerns a Christian couple, a minister (Chris Sarandon) and his wife (Tess Harper) who must come to grips with a sad family situation, but the minister's faith holds him back.

All three stories are beautifully told and acted. The normally funny Bonnie Hunt is here in a serious role, and she tears at the heart, with Learned offering down to earth, quiet support - they are an ideal mother and daughter. The juvenile-looking Pardue gives a sensitive performance as someone who seems totally alone, at odds with his world and has given up making sense of it. As the minister, Chris Sarandon is powerful as a good man who believes in a punishing God and of a different opinion than his normally acquiescent wife, Harper, who has a tough decision to make. There are two other standouts: Michael Kelly as George, who befriends Mark, and Ann Pierce, an Olympia Dukakis lookalike, as Harper and Sarandon's wise neighbor.

Though the pace of the film is a little slow, the stories are intriguing enough to hold the viewer, as are the performances. It's also very well photographed. One IMDb poster stated the ending was clichéd - perhaps it was, but it was nevertheless satisfying. This is a film from a director/writer who has something to say - catch it if you see it for rent or on the Sundance channel.

Details

Official Sites:

Official site Official site [France]

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

14 March 2007 (France)

Also Known As:

Loggerheads

Filming Locations:

Eden, North Carolina, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$500,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$10,664, 16 October 2005

Gross USA:

$115,314

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$115,314

Company Credits

Production Co:

120dB Films, Independent Dream Machine, LaSalleHolland

Technical Specs

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1