Our Burden Is Light (2000) User Reviews

A Boring Melodrama That Inspires People to Write in IMDb

[claudio_carvalho · 3/10 · 28 January 2008]

Karen Moone (Denise Coates) is a needy woman with an unfaithful boyfriend that is completely miserable after the suicide of her mother. Her only friend is the punk singer and baker Marnie Lowell (Jessica Ballard). Kyle Elliot (Nathan Webb) is a man bored with his perfect middle-class life with the shallow and beautiful wife Sarah (Marti Phillips) that works composing jingles for advertisements. While waiting for a bus in a rainy night, Karen and Kyle are violently assaulted by a thief and Karen has amnesia. Kyle pretends that he lost his memories too and both stay in a church, where they fall in love for each other. When Kyle is located by his wife and Karen recalls her previous life, they both miss the time they spend together.

"Our Burden Is Light" is a boring melodrama that apparently inspires people to write in IMDb. Of course I am being ironic, but what else could I write about a movie that I bought for US$ 4.00 without any previous reference with the misleading Brazilian title of "Tormented Souls" which has forty-two (42) reviews of people with only one comment in IMDb? Further, most of them promoting a badly acted and flawed story that seems to have been inspired in a Mexican soap-opera, where people seriously injured (with incredible double amnesia) do not go to a hospital but to a church. My vote is three.

Title (Brazil): "Almas Atormentadas" ("Tormented Souls")

nice story, atrociously cheesy acting

[jza1978 · 4/10 · 21 December 2005]

The first thing that hits you with this film is the appalling acting, its just proper bad actors union stuff. If you can get past the wooden attempts to be "deep" its not a bad film, a nice little idea for a story and worth the money I paid for it, although it was in the bargain section. Whilst Nate Mendel is better off sticking to his music in the foo fighters the rest of the cast hopefully have day jobs they can return to. Its a classic case of wannabe arty people well out of their depth. On a plus point the soundtrack which interestingly comes free with the DVD in england is pretty good with appearances from Mark Lanegan and Tom Waits.

Awful

[aeox · 1/10 · 31 May 2007]

What a horrible, horrible film. I understand what was trying to be done and it failed miserably. I can't believe how bad this film is. You should see it just to see one of the worst films ever. you won't understand how bad it is unless you see it. And it's not "joke bad" like Gigli. Its horrible beyond your wildest dreams. I have no idea what the plot was or what the characters' needs were. the primary actress was so monotone the whole time i wanted to punch myself in the balls just to hear a different pitched sound. Were there any good parts to it? No, none at all. I can't think of one thing in this film that could save or redeem it in the slightest.

Stick with the Foo Fighters Nate!

[thunderbunny24 · 1/10 · 7 May 2006]

I tried to watch this movie. I forced myself through the first 40 minutes and then gave up. The only reason I rented it was for Nate Mendel (I'm a huge Foo Fighters fan). I know that's not much of a reason to rent something, but I thought this could be one of those diamonds in the rough. Instead, it had terrible acting, a terrible script, and a boring storyline. And I normally like those artsy type of films. This was not artsy. This was crap! I've seen better acting at a high school play and read better scripts on those fan fiction sights. If you're a Foo fan, rent the concert DVD Everywhere But Home. Don't waste your time with this movie. We still love you Nate! DO THE NATE BOP!

Terrible, Pseudo-Philosophical Crap

[jackmstewart · 1/10 · 6 February 2008]

Since when did "being creative" and "loving yourself" become the highest goals of man- and womankind? How about "making good art" or "actually caring about other people" or even "understanding film-making before you do it"? What a solipsistic hunk of phlegm this "movie" is. I bought it (discounted at a second-hand store, btw) because it looked like Nate Mendel contributed to it. Was he drunk? I feel like I just read a 15-year-old's journal, and that kid couldn't even spell. A question for the "filmmaker": Who wants to watch two hours of your rewarmed New Age bullshit packaged as "lyrical" and "edgy" (which, don't fool yourself, it is NOT)? Answer: No one. Well, maybe Yanni. If he's high. Audiences, even the awful kind of audience that wants only a mirror from a film, should look ANYWHERE else if they want to be "uplifted." Like try Children of the Corn IX. The people writing positive reviews of this film appear to be a) the "director" herself and b) "disciples" of the "director"'s "life coaching" business (simply Law of Attraction garbage repackaged as her own "philosophy"). She should stick to that. If they're dumb enough to pay for her advice, they deserve it. www.denisecoates.com

One more movie not worth seeing

[patterson-18 · 2/10 · 9 April 2017]

This movie is bad, but not terrible. Cheaply made for sure. What they need is real actors, not people trying to act. One of worst people who really are awful at acting is Jack Rooney. He is a monotone. No vocal range at all. I guess you do a few cheaply made movies as a extra and that qualifies you as a professional. I am gonna stick with movies that have professional, well known actors and not wannabes.

This movie really hit home

[miltonman · 10/10 · 15 September 2004]

All I can say is that I was so excited to see this film because I am a HUGE Foo Fighters fan and I really love Nate Mendel. Well, I couldn't believe how I felt like this movie was talking to me when I saw it. I have been struggling with deciding if I want to go art school or not and I finally feel like I've got the courage to go. It's rare that we see a movie where an artist is held up as something special. In fact we rarely see movies about artists, period. But this film really was an homage to all those people who truly have something to express through their artistic vision, whether it was the woman with her paintings or the man with his music. It just felt like the writer respected artists so much when writing this script. Plus the way that it ended gave me hope. I was afraid because a lot of the move seems a little dark that it wouldn't have an uplifting message, but the message was so uplifting that it's given me the courage to go for my dreams! I am so grateful that I got to see this film.

What an incredible movie

[picklydill · 10/10 · 15 September 2004]

I haven't seen something this thought provoking or deep in a long time. I felt like I was watching an intelligent French or Italian film rather than an American film. I felt like it was a poetic parable like jaunt into modern day life that captured a time period in our culture and our world. I fell in love with the characters. They were all so flawed, yet so easily empathized with, like they were all struggling to find meaning in a harsh world where everyone is a critic and everyone else thinks they know what's best for a person. I really connected with the theme of forgiveness being an important step to moving on and especially the theme of forgetting parts of ourselves may help us remember who we really are. What an accomplishment. Kudos to the director for taking on such a philosophical task and to tell the story so richly with vivid images, beautifully framed shots, excellent art direction and fine music. Wow! Don't miss it.

Not perfect, but really watchable

[myplace_58 · 10/10 · 18 September 2004]

This is a fun movie to watch if you like music and theme-based movies. It really is visually stunning for a low budget. If you like action or plot driven movies this isn't going to be your cup of tea. If your idea of a great movie is "Day After Tomorrow" this movie might put you to sleep. If your idea of a great movie is "Chocolat" or "Amelie" or "Red" then you will probably really enjoy this movie. It's absolutely as "art film" as it gets. I mean, it's ABOUT artists. I liked that this movie was original in so many ways. Plot, acting styles, all that. I didn't like that some of the transitions were a bit clunky. But, overall I think is was well done.

Such a compelling story

[pamcollins9 · 10/10 · 15 September 2004]

This film is excellent! It's such a compelling story told in such an artistic way. I fell in love with the two main characters and could relate so much to both of them feeling trapped and wanting an escape. I loved all the office scenes with the main actor. He was excellent by the way. I thought the lead actress gave a wonderful realistic performance as well. Really, the movie was shot so well with such great colors and images and music I felt really mesmerized by its sheer beauty. I am really looking hoping they release a soundtrack because the songs are excellent and they flow together so beautifully with the score. I really liked how people from two different worlds can come together in this unique way. I really highly recommend this film!

A good film

[coolaid74 · 10/10 · 15 September 2004]

I liked it a lot. The messages were certainly relevant for our time and the story moved along at a good pace. I found the characters to be engaging and the differences in them kept things interesting. I like character driven films and this was a good example. I thought the music added to the film and that the director did a good job of making such a musical film work without distracting the audience. It's a pretty film to watch. even though the content can be a bit disturbing...But, all in all a good engaging story. I think it touches on a culture that has lost its center and how these two main characters personify that view. I really enjoyed the special features too.

Great plot twist!

[miles228 · 10/10 · 15 September 2004]

I thought this film was going to be predictable and a bit unrealistic, but when I found out about the "secret" plot twist involving Kyle's character I really was impressed with how thoughtful the story was. Great script! It kept my interest the whole time and I really ended up caring about these two characters. I thought that the writer director star of the film must be one talented person to direct actors and herself and she did a great job. Very subtle. I thought that the way she told the story reminded me of a play in that at the end of the day it really was about the characters. I have to admit I thought that it was a really intense film and only to be watched when you want to have to think and appreciate the visual style of the film. If you are in the mood to just sit back and leave your troubles behind, maybe better to watch "Something About Mary" or something. I loved Our Burden is Light though and really hope there is a soundtrack release because the music rocked.

All good.

[jamesinhouse_5 · 10/10 · 15 September 2004]

From the opening credits this film had me at "hello" because the opening sequence with the beautiful art direction and "Crash" by Dave Matthews playing, I could tell this was going to be a classy movie. I think it's great that the lead character was an artist and that the film looked so artistic. It really did look like each frame could be captured on its own to make a great photograph. That's a tribute to both the director and the cinematographer. I really loved when the character of Karen went into the church and you look down at her, in the rich red colors as if you're God looking down on the parishoner. I think the choice in camera angles, the colors, the choice in music, the art direction, and the costumes all made this film like a real piece of art in its own right. Then add that the story really had a unique twist( have they REALLY forgotten? or are they pretending so they can stay lost) was really cool too. Such a really beautifully told story about how who we think we are isn't always who we really are. A+

I liked it

[dotherightthing_231 · 10/10 · 15 September 2004]

I really enjoyed this flick. I think it had some holes in it but all in all it was a really unique story with unique characters and it made you think a lot about life and destiny and what we're supposed to be doing here on this planet. I thought the key elements all came together really well. Like others, I really enjoyed how beautifully shot it was. I really liked the characters and how they ALL had flaws(because all of us do). I liked how every character in essence was "everyman" and "every woman" and that the film was more about tackling the idea of "looking for meaning". All of the characters in their own way were looking for meaning. The female punk singer was looking for meaning in anger and music and drugs. The male punk singer was looking for meaning by sleeping with everybody he could. The lead male character was looking for meaning in making money, and eventually in rediscovering music and the lead female character was looking for meaning in thoughts of suicide and painting. Even the smaller characters all seemed to be searching for something, ephemeral. I found it interesting that there was

a hint of a spiritual figure in all of this played by the grounds keeper "Sam". He seemed to be the glue that held the film together he really put a divine spin on the whole thing that made it feel like someone bigger is calling the shots. Cool movie.

My God what a great picture

[fortheloveof · 10/10 · 15 September 2004]

This is one of those "must see"s for anyone dissatisfied with the current views of our times. It artfully flicks its nose at the popular culture and shows characters forced through the circumstances of modern day American values to flee to the subculture systems in order to escape the screwed up values we have. It reminds me so much of "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" when Jack Nicholson tells everyone in the psych ward that THEY are the sane ones. This film has that 60's revolution vibe but set in modern day. I love how the two main characters, though from different worlds, fall into the same depression from what their lives have become. Him a jingle writer who used to be a great musician. Now he writes jingles to support his money-grubbing wife's spending habits. He feels stuck in a world of suits and Range Rovers. The main actress is also stuck in a world where the subculture isn't a real answer to the problems of the dominant culture, so she paints as her only means to express her angst. I love so much how the only real escape they find is through Divine Intervention. Pretty cool. Even though this movie made me really sad at times, it ultimately was about redemption of the rebellious individual forging their own way in a world of lemmings.

This is a real punk rock film!

[millsertime · 10/10 · 15 September 2004]

I am a big fan of the Foo Fighters and I was so excited to see a punk rock film done right. Such high energy, so realistic, and people who don't give a hoot about what the mainstream culture wants them to do. It has some of the best movie music I've ever heard: All, Mark Lanegan, Foo Fighters, AND Nate(Foo bass player) plays in a punk rock band with his real life girlfriend, Jessica Ballard who has a huge part in the movie. Nate and Jessica play boyfriend and girlfriend in the movie too! It's a MUST SEE for Foo Fighter fans, and an even MORE must see for Nate Mendel fans because there are TWO PREVIOUSLY UNHEARD songs in the film that Nate and Taylor(foo drummer) where Jessica sings that just ROCK YOUR SOCKS OFF!!! That girl can sing AND act!!! I see why Nate is with her. I think this movie tells the establishment to shove it and it does it in a really artistic way. Way cool.

Truly an inspiration

[vondike4 · 10/10 · 15 September 2004]

Everything about this movie is an inspiration. It praises the life and value of the artist in a corporate culture. It shows the underdogs winning by being themselves. It re-prioritizes American values in a way that is desperately needed in our current society. It addresses materialistic pursuits draining people of their essential humanity and it also addresses co-dependency and how it can stifle a person's life well into their adulthood. It addresses the idea of destiny bringing two people from opposite sides of the tracks together in a mystical way. It addresses how forgiveness is the best thing we can do for ourselves when someone has wronged us. I just can't get over how much integrity was in the story...I rarely see movies anymore with any message besides getting something over on someone else. What an encouraging thing to see young filmmakers actually caring about what kinds of messages they are putting out there. It makes me believe in independent film again. Whatever flaws this movie has, the assets make them inconsequential. You'll leave this movie feeling deeply moved to follow your bliss!

One of a kind

[boris_carlyle · 10/10 · 15 September 2004]

This movie rocked! I too am a Foo Fighter fan and I just loved it! It delivered! Great rock music. Great characters. Totally original story. Really good character development. I thought Nate did an amazing job at composing his first film. It really captured the mood of the film. I hope he scores a lot more movies because he's good at it. I really felt like the writer/director must have lived in this scene at some time because she really caught the "angst" of these kinds of punk folks. I've met a lot of them. Not fitting in but not knowing where else to turn. I thought Nate's girlfriend's acting was AMAZING! I want to see a movie about that character, she was so deep and so good. I think if you are a foo fan you OWE it to yourself to get this film! It's the bomb.

What a cool film

[inthiscorner6 · 10/10 · 15 September 2004]

It's so good to see films that aren't "movie making by numbers". This film took chances. Some of the worked, some didn't but you could feel the willingness on all these guys parts to really take some chances and try something new and groundbreaking. Starting with having two main characters stories completely told separately and then have them collide (literally) in that way. Secondly this movie took the great risk of not being dialog heavy. In our coffee buzz culture we like to talk and we like to hear people talk. It can be unnerving to a mind that's racing and needing the story spoon fed to them with a predictable plot to sit during silences and beautiful images telling the story. It actually felt like a meditation or reading a poem because the movie doesn't TELL you the story it shows you the story and I think it worked on that level for sure. I think that it was missing a couple of scenes that would have made it flow a little better, but all in all I adored how risky it was. How it had a really specific vision and how well it was executed. I admire these kinds of filmmakers who are out there trying to break up the monotony, shake things up a bit. Well done. Keep it up! I would love to see what's next for these filmmakers.

Truly original and really well acted

[roundandround7 · 10/10 · 15 September 2004]

Hey, you just don't see movies like this anymore. It's really a thrill to see people out there taking chances! Sometimes they pull it off, sometimes they don't. This one really delivered. The plot was unusual because it tied together two peoples' lives that were completely unrelated until about thirty minutes into the film...Then, boom, they're brought together in a really intense way. The rest of the film beautifully wove the two story lines together so you felt like you were in a really good flow with the story and with the characters. It's hard to believe these two people from such different walks of life could have so much in common but they did. That really made the theme stand out of how we're all basically alike in our basic human needs to be loved and seen and to creatively express. I really really loved how this film encouraged people to be creative.

Truly lyrical and poetic. Must see!

[jjhomeboy · 10/10 · 15 September 2004]

This was such a pleasant surprise. I can't even begin to tell you how impressed I was with so many aspects of this film: The directing was lovely. I love writer directors because they have such clear visions. I loved the cinematography...they used such richly textured shots the really enhanced the themes of the movie. I loved the subtle acting performances by these really magnetic actors. I loved the choices in music: Dave Matthews Band, Foo Fighters, David Gray, etc. I loved the music performances in the film...But, mostly I just plain and simple loved the story. I felt like if you could combine romance with drama with mystery with philosophical art film, this had something for everyone. I truly thought that the story was so original in having two main characters living two separate lives. I felt like it was very spiritual in its message and sort of a cinematic manifesto for Julia Cameron's "The Artists Way". "Live your dream baby. Go out there and make art and get better and better and don't listen to the critics. They're just stifled artists themselves." Truly powerful and much needed in a culture that doesn't respect its artists...GREAT FILM!

If you like Foo Fighters, you've got to see it!

[peters702 · 10/10 · 15 September 2004]

I am a huge Foo Fighters fan and I have heard about this film on Foofighters.com forever. Nate Mendel(Foo bass player) not only acted with his girlfriend Jessica Ballard but they both perform two NEW SONGS IN THE MOVIE! The soundtrack has to be released because these two songs rule! They are great punk rock songs that Nate, Taylor(Foo drummer) and Jessica perform and they rock. They sound like one of the great punk bands "X" and Jessica can really sing. I love how they play boyfriend and girlfriend in the movie. That must have been fun. Also, Nate did the score of the film which is really moody and emotional and reminds me of his "Sunny Day Real Estate" days. This film reminded me a lot of "American Beauty" in it's mood and message. I heard that Nate is even one of the producers of the film. This film is a MUST OWN for ANYONE WHO LOVES THE FOO FIGHTERS!

This is good

[beeenice · 10/10 · 15 September 2004]

Hey there! I heard that one of our own(from Georgia) was in this movie and I was so excited to see it. This is one of the best films I've seen in a long time. I'm so proud of Nathan Webb, the lead actor, because though he doesn't have a lot of dialog, his body language and eyes tell the whole story. He's got such a great screen presence and is so cute! I feel like he carried this film in many ways. I loved all the scenes where he was rolling his eyes at his wife's superficiality and how he always needed to be drunk when he was around her, but when he met the artist lady, and they fell in love, he didn't drink once. Really good subtle details in this movie. You've got to watch it more than once to catch all the subtleties. I found that the way the story was like two stories was really cool because it made it seem like people don't have to have the same educational, economic, or gender, ethnic background in order to have things in common. I especially liked how it made you believe in soul mates and how the Universe will bring soul mates together eventually. I want to show this movie to my students just so they can see how this movie was effective in its artistic elements. Great work.

Such a great flick

[johnnybeegoood · 10/10 · 15 September 2004]

I can't say enough about this wonderful film. It's definitely not for those who like to escape for two hours at a movie theater. It's a thinking person's film about redemption, memory, identity and art as sacred kind of movie with the idea of destined love thrown in as well. The movie tells its story mostly in pictures and music(which isn't this what MOVING pictures is all about?) Each frame was like a beautiful photograph and they somehow even made the interior of punk rock clubs look beautiful(how they did that I don't know) but it was truly appropriate for the film. I thought the actors were spot on with their performances. The two leads had great chemistry together and the lady who played the lead actor's wife was really good as well. I thought the best scene was when the homeless guy was acting as the voice of reason. I think that says a lot in this age of gimme mentality. I love when the male lead tries to give the homeless guy money and the homeless guy doesn't want it!!! What a loud message about how the capitalistic society just assumes everybody wants money to make them feel better! Really gets you to think about your life. I recommend highly to those who aren't sucked into reality television and who wants to be a millionaire mentality.

Wow!Wow! Wow!

[honeypie_111 · 10/10 · 15 September 2004]

I'm thoroughly impressed with this film. There was so much to like about it. Everything about it. Story, acting, cinematography, message, directing, and music. I felt like I should be watching it at a museum it was such a beautiful piece of art. I feel like movies like this don't usually get the praise they deserve because we have been trained by video games and must see T.V. to have attention spans the length of a fingernail. This movie isn't for the ADD society. It's got a pace that lingers on images and the score delightfully mingles with the beautiful symbols. A perfect example is when Kyle, the main actor(great performance by the way) is leaving his stifling 9-5 job in his business suit and he's wanting to find some escape he goes down to the playground and sets down his briefcase and gets on a swing and starts swinging and laughing like a child. It's so great to see a grown man in a business suit playing on a swing. This scene had NO DIALOG just score but it told the whole story. I love movies that tell VISUAL stories. Especially admirable is that if this was a low budget movie it was AMAZING at visual story telling since most low budget movies rely on talk talk kinds of story telling in order to keep within budget. I would recommend this movie to anyone.