Moonlight Mile (2002)

I have recently become a fan of Jake Gyllenhaal and rented this movie on Netflix after seeing the trailer. I've watched it twice now and will probably buy it off Amazon to keep. This is a sweet, funny, well acted film about people dealing with grief. Jake is great, so is Dustin Hoffman and of course Susan Sarandon. Jake's character though wholes the film together; he is the anchor. The parents can't deal with their grief and heap all of it onto Jake's character. He has two of the most brilliant scenes in the movie and does both extremely well. No this movie isn't for everyone but if you want to see a story about people this is it. I'll probably watch it over and over again.

The premise is a good idea for a dark comedy with a minimal amount of drama, moralizing, etc. Bit of a stretch to have grieving parents so embrace an "almost" son-in-law. Bad casting: Hoffman's too heavy, Jake G. walks around in a stupor. Sarandon and Pompeo shine though again, they're given too much heavy drama wherein their funny banter is more appealing.MM gives new definition to the term "sinks under its own weight". Whatever the makers intended, toward the end, the cat is out of the bag about Jake and Diane's breakup so the only conflict is her parents inability to accept Diane's death. Jake's affair is interesting but too convoluted to have suspense, although Pompeo's appearances are bright spots throughout the film.In a nutshell, MM should've been a comedy - albeit a morose one. Its descent into drama makes the circumstances unbelievable. I'm a lawyer who does some criminal defense who's long since learned to cut courtroom scenes some license. Not this time. Jake/Joe would've never made it to the stand: His "loss" is for the penalty phase as he knows nothing about the crime. Even a bad judge would've cut off his ridiculous "sermon" on the stand, poorly delivered anyway.NOTE: I'd thought "moonlight mile" was a metaphor like "primrose path", low road", etc. MM features the Stones song of the same title. Great song. But what's "moonlight mile", the song or the meaning of the words, got to do with the story?

I just watched the film uncut on Japanese TV. I found most of the film unfulfilling. The story was thin. Dustin Hoffman and Susan Sarandon were straining to make something out of their roles. Jake G.'s blankness was irritating and Holly Hunter was a cipher.Nevertheless, it was worthwhile because Ellen Pompeo was absolutely perfect. As the commenter from Turkey said so eloquently: "Every man in this world easily in love with this character which Ellen Pompeo gave life." I might have to start watching Grey's Anatomy after this! One other good thing about the film was the soundtrack. The not-so-well-known Van Morrison songs ("I'll Be Your Lover Too" and "Sweet Thing") really gave the love story a boost.

I worked at a Blockbuster so I had the opportunity to watch movies that I normally wouldn't watch due to not wanting to waste money. When I started watching Moonlight Mile I was already hooked on Jake Gyllenhaul and this movie just added to my admiration of his acting ability along with his amazing sex appeal. I am sure everyone knows about him now because of all the movies he has been in since. I just hope everyone takes the time to watch this one as well. One of my favorite romantic scenes ever(!) is when Jack and Ellen Pompeo are in the bar by the jukebox. OH MY GOSH! (Speaking of Ellen Pompeo, I will brag again to tell you that now most people know her from Gray's Anatomy but I was such a fan after watching this movie. Check it out!