This is an incredibly good movie, the kind they don't seem to make anymore, with a pretty simple, straightforward conflict, amazingly good acting and writing, and it evokes a time and place (Brooklyn 1977) perfectly.
At the top of a long list of very good performances are Stephen Lang as the alcoholic father, Karen Allen as the stoic but deeply-loving mother, the amazing Nick Thurston (who I had not heard of before) as the son, and Leslie Murphy as his love interest.
In smaller roles Peter Reigert and Geoffrey Wigdor are extremely good.
John Gray's script and direction are extremely moving without being overblown or showy.
This movie is very emotionally honest. It clearly was a labor of love for everybody involved.
Lots of movies seem to me to be overly clever and self-regarding, throwing curve ball after curve ball at you while they're looking in the mirror smirking. This movie is a fastball right over the plate.
At the top of a long list of very good performances are Stephen Lang as the alcoholic father, Karen Allen as the stoic but deeply-loving mother, the amazing Nick Thurston (who I had not heard of before) as the son, and Leslie Murphy as his love interest.
In smaller roles Peter Reigert and Geoffrey Wigdor are extremely good.
John Gray's script and direction are extremely moving without being overblown or showy.
This movie is very emotionally honest. It clearly was a labor of love for everybody involved.
Lots of movies seem to me to be overly clever and self-regarding, throwing curve ball after curve ball at you while they're looking in the mirror smirking. This movie is a fastball right over the plate.