Aurora Borealis (2005)

It has it all: romance, family relationships, old people, young people, friends, comedy, Juliette Lewis; but it is a slow movie. It doesn't really start and doesn't really end. It's like a slice of someone's life. So you have to be in the mood for one of those "life" movies.The acting is top notch, something that comes naturally to Donald Sutherland, but all the other actors played well also. The music is suitable, the story unfolds in a predictable, but natural way.Bottom line: a movie about losing yourself in the comfortable but dead zone of friends that don't really help, family that doesn't really go anywhere, jobs that don't do anything, but that feels like home. The happy ending shows our hero getting out of it, not that it is hard, just that you have to will yourself out.

I had never heard of this movie because up until this year, I have been on protest of pop culture. I missed out on a lot; however, this movie has been an experience for me that has not been taken lightly and will perhaps stay with me for a very long time (maybe the rest of my life). It gives such great insight on how it must feel to grow old and also portrays the challenges that come when coming of age. This movie has given me and those I viewed it with, an honest perspective of what we have to look forward to and dread as we age. It reminds me too appreciate being young and look forward to the reflections I will have when I am old. It also is a tribute to the large population that has come to a point of their life where they again do not have control and must accept what life has given them. Above all, family is always consistent for those who are lucky enough to have family even if they forgot it was there. There is strength in it and we all must recognize that, no matter how tough it has been. I want to thank the cast for choosing such a lovely movie and to open the eyes and hearts to those of use who are so far removed from the elderly/disabled/sick population that are so often neglected.

I enjoyed the characters in this movie tremendously.Donald Sutherland is riveting as an 82-year old man with Parkinson's disease and rapidly advancing Alzheimers. I would recommend the movie for that reason alone. Oscar-winner Louise Fletcher brings great feeling and warmth to her role as his wife. The death-cloud that hangs over these two brave characters is contrasted by the vivacious love of Jason Jackson and Juliete Lewis. They are warm and playful and believable, and there's no way a viewer can not root for their happiness. The setting, Minneapolis, is a wonderful change of pace from the usual NY/LA scenes. Supporting characters seem natural - neither more nor less than you would expect of them.I would've rated this move higher, but the ending is too pat. I won't give it away, but the story has three mysteries and 10 minutes from the end it seems like everyone realized "Oops, only ten minutes left to finish the movie." In quick succession, each of the three mysteries is resolved, exactly like you'd imagine they'd be. It's a shame, because a movie that makes us think & feel for 113 minutes ends up with 10 minutes of "yup, of course." See it anyway.

I was fortunate enough to catch the final showing of this film at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival and was left breathless by the time it ended. A wonderful script written by Brent Boyd about a young man struggling to deal with family issues, love, and his own future is magnificently captured by director James Burke. Donald Sutherland gives one of the best performances of his fantastic career and Joshua Jackson can finally shed the image of Pacey from Dawson's Creek with a solid performance as well. The film was an unexpected, pleasant surprise and I strongly recommend it as one of the best films I've seen so far in 2006.