Loverboy (2005)

Of course, my love for Matt Dillon makes it impossible for me to dislike ANY movie he is in. But my problem is with the disconnects in this movie, which may be deliberate. Where did the sweet neighbor of the disturbed mother's childhood move? Why was she as dismissive of her son as Kyra's parents were of her, the 'normal' one not the mentally damaged one, and what's with the unmarked poison bottle that destroyed her child's brains? Why does Matt show up and then disappear? Was he supposed to impregnate Kyra because he reminded her son of 'his father', whom he had never met?Great acting by all involved, but as I watched Danny Glover as the island neighbor, I couldn't help but think of the "The Saint of Monument Ave", that movie about the homeless pair, Danny and a mentally impaired Matt Dillon. You can't say he doesn't choose a wide variety of roles. It disturbed me that I couldn't find a review of this movie in the latest movie review books. The reason perhaps that critics found problems with the score was that it featured nepotism, Kevin Bacon's brother. No puzzle about why it was sub-par. The movie, for us who grew up in the 60s, features the neglect, inadvertent, by hippie parents who loved love, but forgot about the nurturing needed by their own kids, as they became the 'love generation', which segued into the 'Me' generation of the 70s. Funny how that works. And now, our kids' kids are raised by child care institutions, safe and sterile. Great movie about the effect of neglect on following generations.

I can't say I'm very surprised by the rating this great movie gets, nor am I shocked to see some moronic comments on how the storyline is "horrible" or "gross". The topic and development of the story are controversial and sensitive to say the least and it's a sad reality that people just can't get pass their judgemental posturing and try to see things from another point of view.Kyra Sedgwick carries the movie on her shoulders from start to finish. Not only does she give poetry and the right amount of quirkiness to a character that could have been nightmarish otherwise but she really manages to convey the love her character feels for her son effortlessly so much so that the transition to her psychotic obsession is seamless. Even if the plot is made in such a way that it's impossible for you to empathize with her, you certainly feel for her.The direction is remarkable and adds to the magic of the world Emily creates for her son. Bacon did a great job of going back and forth in time without being confusing, which was a major challenge with the script and the editing works perfectly at revealing Emily's character and story bit by bit without divulging more than necessary and all the while framing what's important to understand her behavior.It's never tacky, nor judgemental, nor is it complacent. It's a story of love and how far it can go. Recommended.

This novel turned motion picture debut by Kevin Bacon, has all the ingredients of an interesting and moving film. Unfortunately these ingredients seem to fade away slowly as the film progresses. Kyra Sedgwick who not only acts terrifically throughout the film, but also narrates it as well. Her character, a women obsessed with having a child, and keeping it to herself forever, loses its flavor as it becomes more and more funny than serious. The small boy played by Dominic Scott Kay, should have been either re-cast or re-shot several times. His artificial deliveries take away from the seriousness of Sedgwicks maternal character again and again, and seem to make the film comical at times when it should not be. Kevin Bacon does surprise with his debut of a motion picture behind the camera, unlike his peer Nic Cage, with that mess of a film "Sonny". Bacon also keeps the film watchable between some of the arid scenes with is comedic paternal character circa 1970's. Hopefully the six degrees of Kevin Bacon will continue to lend to more films directed by Bacon, after this noble and respectable first effort.

I read this book and saw the film at the Hamptons International Film Festival (10/2005). This is a complex and nuanced story about a single mother's obsessive love for her only child. The story explores the psychology of this obsession and the sometimes sublime, sometimes tragic effects it has on the lives of both mother and son. It is a wonderful adaptation of a novel by Victoria Redel (Greywolf 2001, Harcourt 2002 in paperback) that I imagine would present some challenges given its non-linear time frame and the careful parsing of its secret twists and turns. The acting is superb and the characters portrayed are funny, endearing, and multifaceted. Marissa Tomei and Kevin Bacon are hilarious as the 70's era, sexed up, deliriously in love and sadly neglectful parents. Kyra Sedgwick is brilliant as she confidently captures the complex subtleties of her character, making it easy for the audience to empathize with what would otherwise be, and at times is a difficult and disturbing obsessiveness. Other performances by Sandra Bullock as the sultry and insightful neighbor, Oliver Platt as the nervous and nerdy school administrator, and Matt Dillon as the love interest you can't help but root for, all contribute to what is a very entertaining and meaningful film.