Plot Details: This opinion reveals major details about the movie's plot.

Preamble
Billy Crudup....What a hunk! I passed by this video many times at Blockbuster. Each time, I would pick it up, read the box, and put it down. I am THRILLED that I finally rented it. And actually, I was so stunned by the first viewing that I waited an entire month to rent and watch it again.

Pre-Plot
Part of me wants to tell you every nook and cranny of the plot. I want you to be there with me, through every emotional upheavel. See, I can't do it. That would ruin the experience for you. Trust me when I say, don't read any more of this - just go rent it.

Short Plot
Thirty-two year old Fielding Pierce (Billy Crudup) is the Tom Cruise of the political arena. He has it all. Good looks. Good reputation. He knows how to work the crowd. If he's got every thing going for him, why does he suddenly think that he sees his dead girlfriend roaming the streets? Is she dead or just a figment of his imagination.

Critical Commentary
I want to just tell you that this movie was sheer perfection in every aspect - writing, directing, and acting. Why it was overlooked in the Oscar arena is a mystery to me. Maybe one of our favorite Movie Advisors here can explain that oversight to me.

Writing: Scott Spencer wrote the novel (and now I need to find it) and Robert Dillon turned it into a screenplay. Now I cannot pinpoint for you who is responsible for the brilliance of the writing. Generally, in order to write a good screenplay you have to have a solid novel. So, think about that for awhile.

First, good writing starts with memorable dialog. I have at least two dozen new quotes that I have added to my list of unforgettable quotes. Examples include:

"Sometimes meaningless gestures are all we have."
"Ambition is the ice on the life of emotion."
"I want to protect the best of what's left in us."

Second, the conversations that take place between Sarah and Fielding are a road map of where their characters have been and where they think they want to be. We learn through dialog with each other (either in conversations or through letters) some of their innermost thoughts. They're strong yet vulnerable people who in the end, want to leave their mark on the world. The letter Sarah wrote to Fielding while he was away embodied every thing about her character - her passion, her vulnerabilities, her ambition, and her needs. You had no problems embracing the love that the characters had for one another.

Overall, the twists and turns of the story kept me emotionally on edge. I wanted Sarah to be alive and SO BAD! Mr. Dillon takes us on a rollercoaster - she's alive, she's not really alive, she's alive, she's not really alive....In the end, we never know if Sarah faked her own death for "the cause" or if she was truly dead.

Directing: I have no idea who Keith Gordon is but at this point, I'm willing to say that he is a most excellent director. I looked at his credits on IMDB and nothing rang a bell for me. Let me give you a couple examples of his directing brilliance. First, there is a scene where Fielding and Sarah are getting to know each other over lunch. At first, you're a little weirded out because the camera is very distracted. It's focused on Fielding (during his monologue where he's describing the state of the state and why he wants to be part of the state of the state) then it cuts out. It didn't take me too long to understand that the camera was supposed to be Sarah and like the camera, she was having difficulty staying focused on Fielding. Mr. Gordon breaks the tension between the two characters by Sarah stepping in and saying, "Should I be taking notes?" and the camera returns to a normal state. It was quite funny - guess you had to be there :).

Second, at Sarah's funeral, Fielding is so overcome with grief that he is unable to process any of the noise going on around him. We hear all of the voices muted in the background. We see the looks and stares of both strangers and loved ones. We see Fielding going through the motions, trying to make sense, on a very basic level, what has happened. At this point and time, he never really resolves it. This is great foreshadowing of things to come (oops - this is also a great example of writing excellence too!).

Acting: Billy Crudup is an amazing actor. If you didn't know this before, this movie will leave you with no doubt in your mind. His range of emotions blew me away. When he was teetering on the edge of reality, gosh, I was right there with him. When he was going through the motions of life, I completely understood. You could tell that he was a passionate individual caught between doing what was expected of him and what he wanted to do.

I can point to many scenes where he shined as an actor. I'll limit myself here to two :). The first was when he was learning about the death of Sarah. As he was watching the television and the events unfold, he went from disbelief to shock. That was 30 seconds into the film and without knowing the relationship between him and Sarah, I still got goosebumps and teary eyed.

The second was when he fell apart right after the election. His stream of dialog could have fallen flat so easily. It didn't. You knew where he was coming from and it was like the words were coming from your own mouth. Can I just say one more time - brilliant actor!

Jennifer Connelly did not disappoint. She has officially won me over as a fan. I think in the past, the fact that she is an attractive woman detracts from the overall perception that she is a good actress. In this film, she should have silenced any and all critics. Jennifer portrayed a strong woman who didn't give an inch on her convictions. The writing left us wondering whether or not she died. How she handled all of those scenes is a key to what made you question her life status.

Social Commentary
When a movie gets under your skin like this, it's time to take a moment, step back, and figure out why. When you scrape away the brilliant writing, acting, and directing, what you're left with is the messages.

Life is Short: This we know. The movie should give you a greater appreciation for the things that matter to you in life.

Fate Exists: Things happen for a reason.

Passion and Love: Are two forces that can move immovable objects.

Closure Is Critical: Otherwise, you will continually wonder about the what if's and shoulda beens.

Special Bonus - The Opening/Closing Song
Snow Come Down by Lori Carson is gorgeous. It does a fantastic job at setting the mood at both beginning and end. How? The song is very reflective - much like the film. I have no clue who she is but I intend on checking out more of her music.


Recommended: Yes

Viewing Format: VHS
Video Occasion: Better than Watching TV
Suitability For Children: Suitable for Children Age 13 and Older