Lullaby (2014)

A man estranged from his family receives word that his father has chosen to take himself off life support within forty-eight hours.

Director:

Andrew Levitas

Writer:

Andrew Levitas

Stars:

Garrett Hedlund, Richard Jenkins, Anne Archer

1 win & 1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Garrett Hedlund	...	Jonathan
Richard Jenkins	...	Robert
Anne Archer	...	Rachel
Jessica Brown Findlay	...	Karen
Amy Adams	...	Emily
Jessica Barden	...	Meredith
Terrence Howard	...	Doctor Crier
Jennifer Hudson	...	Nurse Carrie
Zac Ballard	...	Nicholas
Frankie Shaw	...	Janice
Daniel Sunjata	...	Officer Ramirez
Danielle Kotch	...	Helen
Miles Kath	...	Young Jonathan
Maddie Corman	...	Beth
Anne Vyalitsyna	...	Brooke (as Anne V.)

Storyline

A young man living in Los Angeles has been estranged from his wealthy New York family for years. One day, he suddenly receives word that his terminally ill father wishes to be taken off life support and has 36 hours to live. When he agrees to visit his father, he unintentionally sets up a family conflict with no easy resolution.

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Taglines:

What do you say when everything has been left unsaid?

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Genres:

Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language and brief drug use

Details

Official Sites:

Official Site

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

13 June 2014 (USA)

Also Known As:

Altatódal

Company Credits

Production Co:

Avenue Pictures,Ananta Productions,Metalwork Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

117 min

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Trivia

Both Anne Archer and Amy Adams have first names and last names beginning with the same letter, A.

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Goofs

Life support attached at trachea, yet father speaks unimpeded. Should have had unit blocked off....if connected, air could not pass over vocal chords allowing speech.

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Soundtracks

George Jeffersons
Performed by Soulplusmind, Doey Rock and C-Plus
Written by Dennis P. Coronel, Wesley Ivazes, Kahallie Oden, Chaz Wheeler

User Reviews

Very moving family drama

I first noticed Garrett Hedlund in On The Road, where I thought he was brilliant, in all senses of the word. The trailer for Lullaby also looked enticing. After watching the movie I can tell you that I don't regret my decision, I liked it very much, but it is not something that you can relax with or something that can be enjoyed at all times and by anyone.

The plot is simple: family patriarch is dying and the family gathers around him at this difficult moment. We get to understand each character, mostly Hedlund's though, and their interaction. Courageous bald cancer girl and ex-girlfriend clichés are also present to further the story.

People have talked about the length of the film and, indeed, to witness human uncomfortable suffering for two hours felt a little too much. However all actors played well, except maybe Jessica Brown Findlay, but she is just beginning, cut her some slack; the script was very nice and I could find no real flaws in the direction or other production values. Maybe bracing through two hours of good film is not so bad after all, is it?

My personal take from the movie is that people always expect something from you and when they have nothing to lose, like when they are dying or are overwhelmed by pain, they actually demand it. I am still not convinced that being annoyed rather than involved is the bad thing to do. It makes for a good movie to get involved, I guess.

Bottom line: watch out for Garrett Hedlund, he will be rising. The movie was great, but watch it when you are in the mood for consistent emotional dramatic tension, not at breakfast before you get to work. i think it is also cathartic for people who lost or are going to lose somebody soon. And Richard Jenkins is always good in the role of the dying or dead father, isn't he? :)