Reviews

When we see someone we love become something we hate, it tears us apart. Such situations can destroy families, such situations can bring families together. In this film, one family is put under enormously serious situations in which how much they can endure will prove how strong they really are.

On a fateful summer night in California, Derrek Vinyard (Edward Norton), hears the noise of glass shattering. He looks out the window to see a few men trying to break open his car. Although we do not know it, this series of events will labeled as a race crime. The men in our eyes are black. The men in Derrek's eyes are not men, they are creatures tearing apart our economy, our American foundation, and our neighborhood. In a violent and excessive way, Derrek defends his family. The end result is the death of 2 African American men.

Derrek is sentenced to 3 years in prison for Defensive Manslaughter. While it may seem that Derrek is the main focus of this story, the person most affected by this is his younger brother, Danny (Edward Furlong). Like almost any younger brother, Danny admires Derrek. Danny recognizes what Derrek did. Danny sees that nearly a hundred other people like his brother worshipped him. Danny is not blind. He sees that the impact Derrek had on their community was so astounding that it is only in Danny's responsibility to carry on that tradition.

In an amazing realistic and true-to-life story written by David McKenna, we watch and take in every event which happens in Derrek's life after that fateful night. We watch the transformation of characters, the metamorphosis of the Vinyard family over the course of 3 years, and even a few before that.

After seeing this film, you don't think about the pervasive violence and language, you don't think about the graphic content and often disturbing realism involved, you are left with a mindset which leaves you in a twist. You know some of these things that happen are wrong, but why do you agree with them in some points? What makes these characters tick? Why does this happen? When you ask yourself theses questions, you know you have seen a work of art.

Brilliantly and beautifully filmed and directed by Tony Kaye, he pulls us into this world which is so similar to what we live in today. We become so involved with the characters, that in the final act, we are left with a feeling of confusion and sorrow.

This film is surly to be labeled as controversial for all times, but should be more remembered for its message, especially in this time of our world.

Often when watching a film with a cast which has more Oscar nominations in their careers than the film has minutes, a level of expectations will be engraved which exceeds far above a film than which one should. Such is an example with the poignant, touching and often funny film, The Shipping News.

The Shipping News is film about loss, recovery, pain, but most of all, recovery. When a person loses a loved one, or in this case, a person who loses someone they think they love, it comes with a package of emotional stress and remorse. The person they lose is immortalized within their thoughts, usually in a positive, memorable perspective.

The story begins with a narration by Quoyle (Spacey), and through this depressing and self defeating narration, we learn that Quoyle is man who has never succeeded in anything, is a failure in his family's eyes, and has never accomplished one thing in his entire life. He struggles through every miserable task he is given, he aches at the thought of one more day.

As a defeated man who has never loved, never laughed, and never succeeded, he is desperate for something, desperate for someone. When he meets a woman named Petal (Blanchett) he thinks he's in love. We see a woman who is looking for a costumer, looking for someone to spend the night with. Quoyle sees a wife, someone to spend the rest of his life with. So without hesitation, he takes a swing at this wild tiger. He thinks he has achieved that echelon of happiness. He has a darling little girl, he has a wife, and he has a steady job. But he soon learns that one person, a person he has known for little over a few years, can turn his life upside down. After a realistic and inevitable chain of events, he is back to his pitiful little life. Only this time, he's lost more than he can handle. His own emotional attachments have become his own emotional destruction.

In the midst of these happenings, Quoyle is met at the door by his Aunt Agnis (Dench), whom he has never met. She suggests they begin a new future, for she too has lost something. She decides that they should travel to their native roots, in Newfoundland. The future looks bleak to Quoyle, but only the happiest of times look ahead to Agnis. At least from our perspective.

Throughout the film we are met by several supporting characters played by familiar and not so familiar actors. These characters, while they may seem supporting, play the largest part in the film. For these characters are the building blocks which help Quoyle begin his `transformation'. These are the people which help Quoyle recognize his roots and why he must belong there. Throughout these characters, we are met with many intertwining storylines which could make a whole entire film by themselves. But these characters are all here to help one man find a reason. A reason for being.

Throughout this masterful tale of loss, recovery, and pain, we discover that problems exist within problems. We learn that the future may result in failure, but will always have an answer. The answer lies within Quoyle himself. While these supporting players may have an impact on Quoyle's job and home, Quoyle is the only one who can help find happiness for himself.

With a star-studded cast which shines with the inspiring score by Christopher Young, Lasse Hallstrom has created a film which should not be overlooked, but should be look upon as a film which displays how courage, love, and faith, can overcome loss, struggle, and pain.