Reviews (28)

Impressive Work by Steve Buscemi
Steve Buscemi has long been one of the premiere character actors in the business; his resume reads like a veritable Who's Who of interesting, complex characters who run the gamut from psycho hit-man to regular guy, all of whom he has brought vividly to life in film after film. And whether or not a particular project is a hit or a flop, Buscemi is always good, and can always be counted upon to add that extra something to any given film, as he has in "Trees Lounge," an affecting drama he not only stars in, but with which he makes his debut as a writer/director-- and an impressive debut it is.

Tommy Basilio (Buscemi) is an out-of-work mechanic who lives alone above a bar called Trees Lounge in Long Island, N.Y. He's more than a bit down on his luck; not only did he lose his job, but his pregnant girlfriend of eight years, Theresa (Elizabeth Bracco) recently dumped him for his former boss, Rob (Anthony LaPaglia). He wants to pick himself up and get his life back together, but he doesn't seem to know where to start, and the garages to which he's applied for work aren't exactly knocking his door down to hire him. So he gravitates to the Trees, where he can at least interact with others who seem to be in situations not entirely unlike his own, though at different stages and for different reasons. But they all have one thing in common-- they're people just trying to get through the day; they're trying to get through life. If they can only figure it all out.

With this film, Buscemi proves that he is more than just a talented actor, but rather a true artist in every sense of the word, with his chosen medium being film. He has an eye for detail which complements his insights into human nature and enables him to effectively translate his material to the screen. His characters are finely drawn and complex, and with each and every one he manages to successfully avoid the stereotypes to which a setting like this could easily lend itself (and no doubt would, in lesser hands). Even with the minor characters, he succinctly gives you enough of who they are that it allows you to see beneath the surface and know what makes them tick. And he does it imaginatively-- by filling a room with photographs or items that reflect who a certain person is, for example, or simply by training his camera on someone's face and allowing that extra beat that affords the viewer a telling glimpse of what's hiding behind a character's eyes. Buscemi has an innate sense of knowing how to convey what he's trying to say, and he does it in a million small and different ways that are subtle and incisive. Simply put, he knows what works-- including how to get what he wants out of his actors-- and he presents it all with a pace and timing that are right on the mark.

In Tommy, Buscemi creates a character to whom many will be able to relate and identify on any number of different levels. To say that Tommy is a "loser" would be too much of a simplification, because the character is too complex for that tag alone to be accurate. Tommy is blue-collar, down on his luck, and like so many people in real life, just can't seem to put it all together, can't figure out how "life" is supposed to work. And that's what Buscemi conveys so subtly and so well, and it's the key to the success of this character-- it's what makes Tommy believable and real. Obviously, Buscemi knew exactly what he wanted when he wrote this character, and he puts it across with a brilliant, memorable performance which also demonstrates his ability to star in and carry a movie on his own. Certainly, he has a wonderful supporting cast that gives him plenty of help, but few character actors have ever been able to step into a lead role with such facility and achieve the level of success Buscemi has here. And it's work that deserves to be acknowledged.

There are a number of notable supporting performances in this film, as well, beginning with Mark Boone Junior, who as Mike captures the essence of a guy who is successful, but a loser nonetheless; LaPaglia, who gives a solid performance as Rob; Bracco, with a performance that is introspectively revealing; Debi Mazar, who with very little screen time leaves an indelible impression (and her eyes are absolutely mesmerizing); Kevin Corrigan (another of the finest character actors around), as Matthew; and especially Chloe Sevigny, as Debbie, Theresa's mature-beyond-her-years, seventeen-year-old niece.

Rounding out the ensemble cast are Carol Kane (Connie), Bronson Dudley (Bill), Michael Buscemi (Steve's real life brother, playing Tommy's brother, Raymond), Suzanne Shepherd (Jackie), Rockets Redglare (Stan), Seymour Cassel (Uncle Al), Annette Arnold (Sandy), Michael Imperioli (George), Mimi Rogers (Patty), Daniel Baldwin (Jerry) and Charles Newmark (Puck). An involving story presented with a rich assortment of memorable, convincing characters, "Trees Lounge" is a drama about life-- about the things going on in your own neighborhood, or downtown or two streets over, no matter where you are in the world. Wherever people are, there are situations like the ones depicted in this film, problems that have to be solved and life that has to be lived. And that's what makes this film so good; it gives the audience a chance to connect with, or at least examine, things that anyone anywhere will be able to recognize. It may have taken a collaborative effort to make this one what it is, but in the end, it's Buscemi's film from start to finish, and a satisfying little gem of a movie it is. And that's the magic of the movies.

Funny, sad portrait of a man slipping away
Steve Buscemi is one of our absolute finest character actors, but in Trees Lounge he gets a chance to direct himself in a starring role. The result is an excellent movie that doesn't seem to have gotten the attention it deserves.

Buscemi's character is a loser: he's been fired from his job as a mechanic, his long-time girlfriend left him for his best friend, and he spends much of his time as a regular at the local bar, the Trees Lounge. A loser, to be sure, but also a basically decent guy. A funny guy with a quick wit, living in a dead-end, blue-collar Long Island suburb, surrounded by friends and relatives with little vision beyond their dead-end lives.

We watch as this loser tries to do the right thing, but just can't get it right. At one point, he apparently succumbs to a certain temptation, but when confronted about it, he insists that "nothing happened!". We believe him, we even feel sorry for him, but we also recognize the inveitability of the outcome, for he has squandered whatever goodwill he still had coming to him.

The final scene is haunting in the way it echoes the opening scene. Sometimes funny, usually bittersweet, Trees Lounge is a very good character study. As a portrayal of alcoholism, it also makes a fine, understated companion piece to Barfly, its more famous, self-conscious, and, in my opinion, inferior predecessor.

"The ice cubes are too heavy."
Steve Buscemi wrote, directed and stars in "Trees Lounge" He plays Tommy, an unemployed mechanic who lives above a bar, and in fact he spends most of his waking life in the bar, hanging out with the other regulars. Tommy is a lost soul, but he doesn't seem to grasp that fact. He's about to face the middle-age existence of a total loser, and he doesn't know how he got to that point or how he can get himself out of it. He yearns for his past romance to former girlfriend, Theresa (Elizabeth Bracco) who's now married to Tommy's ex-boss (Anthony LaPaglia.) Tommy doesn't really want Theresa back--it's more that he wants that period of his life back. Tommy's lack of direction put the nail in the coffin for his relationship with Theresa, but now that he's facing his 40s, he really looks pathetic. It's no wonder that only a naive 17-year-old girl falls for his tarnished charm.

The cast is loaded by supporting talent--Carol Kane is the long-suffering bartender at Trees Lounge, and there's Uncle Al (Seymour Cassel). Uncle Al is a great character, and Uncle Al is exactly what Tommy will become--somewhat shady but always guaranteed to be viewed as the amusing family scallywag at all gatherings. When Al dies, Tommy uses Uncle Al's ice cream van and takes his place at the wheel. But even this relatively harmless employment leads Tommy into more trouble. Buscemi is right at home in the role of Tommy. We all know people like Tommy, and Buscemi's wonderful script and superb acting breathes life into a character who could all too easily be played as a stereotype--displacedhuman

Where Everybody Knows Your Name
A BIG little film by writer/director/star Steve Buscemi helped by a healthy cast and witty script, TREES LOUNGE is the indie version of CHEERS to a certain degree. A good character study with Buscemi as Tommy, an umemployed car mechanic dealing with his mistakes( past and present) and drowning his sorrows at a local hole-in-the-wall bar. Buscemi's performance is low key yet full of life as the well-meaning lovable misfit who loses his job, girlfriend, an Uncle and gets involved (innocently platonical) with his 17 year old niece, Debbie (Chloë Sevigny). He puts his life together somewhat as he takes over his dead Uncle's Ice Cream Truck business but trouble abounds as he takes on Debbie as an "assistant". There is an intertwined sideplot with fellow barfly Mike (Mark Boone, Jr.)who has just moved out from the city into the Long Island suburbs with his family. He is a bored furniture moving contractor who has ended up "running his business" from the bar much to the dismay of his wife. Some excellent support roles especially Carol Kane as barmaid Connie and some short but weighty cameos from Mimi Rogers, and Samuel Jackson, Debi Mezar, Anthony LaPaglia,Daniel Baldwin, and Seymore Cassel and some great Long Island location shots makes TREES LOUNGE a fun and interesting movie to watch for its characters as the movie doesn't resolve and sugercoat problems, but somehow gives a good portrait of well meaning but empty lives of an existing population in anywhere U.S.A.

It's as though you climbed into an Edward Hopper painting.
"Trees Lounge" is a well made, dark movie about a man in the suburban NY area played by Steve Buscemi who is deeply alienated and is in the process of falling apart, one of Marx's lumpenproletariat. It's very affecting, and I recommend it highly. ... Read more

Reviews (27)

Knife in the head = a stabbing headache
As "Jesus' Son" began, I braced myself for yet one more depressing character study of low-life, substance-addicted losers a la "Panic In Needle Park", "Barfly", "Sid and Nancy" or "(insert name of your favorite Gus van Sant film here)". However,as the movie unfolded I realized that I was watching the kind of subtle yet picaresque tale that has been MIA in American cinema since the 70's..."Scarecrow", "Two-Lane Blacktop", "Rancho Deluxe", etc. The chameleon-like Billy Crudup scores as the chronically underachieving antihero, delivering his first-person voiceover in a non-linear "verite" style. Samantha Morton ("Sweet & Lowdown") gives a notable performance as Crudup's enabling junkie girlfriend. The irrepressible Jack Black continues his reign as the Thinking Man's Chris Farley with a memorable turn as a manic,pill popping hospital orderly with interesting ideas about "prepping" patients. Great cameos abound, including a virtually unrecognizable Denis Leary (who for once goes a little deeper than just playing himself). Quite rewarding for patient viewers.

A Drugstore Cowboy for the '00s
It's hard to believe that Drugstore Cowboy was released as long ago as 1989. Just as Trainspotting was described as a "Drugstore Cowboy for the '90s", it's tempting to describe Jesus' Son as a "Drugstore Cowboy for the '00s". Like Gus Van Sant's now-classic film, the story revolves around two heroin addicts (Billy Crudup and Samantha Morton, both excellent), it's set in the somewhat recent past (the '70s instead of the '60s) and it's based on a previously existing literary source; in this case, Denis Johnson's short story collection of the same name. But despite everything -- mostly bad -- that "FH" (Crudup) experiences throughout the course of the film, Jesus' Son is more of a character study (Crudup also serves as the narrator). Some may still find it just as off-putting as Drugstore Cowboy, which didn't seem to judge its characters. But Jesus' Son isn't as concerned with FH's drug use as much as his very character, his nature -- his "essence", if you will. And if you can't find anything to love about the hapless FH, you'll probably feel the same way about Alison Maclean's striking film (after the well received, but little seen Crush). As in High Fidelity, Jack Black provides much of the humor, although Crudup proves himself surprisingly adept at comedy in a few choice moments. Dennis Hopper, Denis Leary and Holly Hunter (in a well acted, but not particularly convincing role) also star. Fans of The Panic in Needle Park (featuring Al Pacino in his first lead performance), Vincent Gallo's loopy Buffalo 66 and, especially, Drugstore Cowboy should find much to enjoy. Joe Henry's fine soundtrack only sweetens the deal, the highlight of which must surely be Tommy Roe's funky "Sweet Pea", to which Ms. Morton (as Michelle) does *quite* the dance, drawing FH into her dangerously compelling world without saying a word.

Sidenote: The Velvet Underground's "Heroin", in which Lou Reed proclaims that he feels "just like Jesus' Son" when he's "rushing on [his] run", isn't featured in either the film or on the soundtrack.

Dark laughter: tears: redemption
My first take on first viewing was: right, I want to watch a movie about some disgusting, sleazy, young idiots. The sex. The violence. The drugs. And then, you start to pay attention to the narrator's voice, and you begin to understand the intelligence, the attempt at a philosopy of life that lies behind the voice. And you laugh as a dead guy gets beat up in a corn field.
I own two movies--the other is John Huston's "The Dead". I only buy movies that have enough complexity in script, acting, and production, that you can watch over and over and still see new things.
This is a movie that changes gears on you constantly. One viewing will not suffice.
I still scream with laughter when I see it, and I still weep.

"Have your ticket in your hand...
. . .Before it is too late" ~ That line comes from the Woodie Guthrie tune, Airline To Heaven,(performed by Wilco)that plays over the end credits of Jesus' Son. It captures the flavor of this movie, & it sums up the blend of hope, loss, faith & acceptance of life ~ not only for drug guzzling "losers", but for any & everyone.

The late 60's/early 70's didn't exactly corner the market on lost weirdo's who found solace behind a substance-induced mask of happiness. One of my closest friends IS that character that Denis Leary plays ~ sometimes comical, sometimes tragic. Just like this movie.

Jesus' Son offers the really straight, by-the-numbers people a little insight into the people & lives that those folks usually avoid & disregard; "only bad people use drugs".

Not so.

It's also interesting to watch a movie that has character's using a variety of street drugs that was made at a time, currently, that is, when most young people in this culture have been heavily bombarded with anti-drug/"War On Drugs" propaganda, & have been steadily for about twenty yrs or so . . yet the story is of an era where that level of propaganda wasn't as pervasive & all encompassing as it is today.

Well, anyway, other people have already written better reviews of this than I could, or have, but I had to write something about this heartfelt little movie.
"Cheer up my brother, live in the sunshine, we'll understand it all by & by"

"I Feel Just Like Jesus' Son"
If you came of age (or nearly did) in the 60's, you may recall a moment--very likely sometime in the early 70's, unless you were extremely prescient and saw it coming earlier--when all the hippie idealism pretty much just dissolved before your eyes and was replaced by...well, whatever it was replaced by. I recall being actually kind of angry at all these small town stoners whose only countercultural value was, quite frankly, drug taking. Society was not about to undergo a profound spiritual transformation at their hands. Of course, it was scarcely about to at anyone else's either...but who knew back then?

Lost souls like JESUS SON'S "FH" were really not uncommon back in the day. They may not have been uncommon back in any day. But the 60s and early 70s brand was perhaps a little more noticeable and, in some senses, sympathetic because of their vaguely anti-establishment stance. For a brief moment in history, outcasts were almost taken seriously. These people really did exist. As surreal as JESUS' SON sometimes gets, it remains grounded in its very vivid, very authentic characters.

Yes, there were certain junkie truths that ultimately became cinematic cliches. The numrerous OD's, the failed love relationships and the sporadic attempts at redemption are all elements of JESUS' SON. And yet, they come across as less cliched in this particular druggie film than in some others. Perhaps it's because the acting is almost uniformly excellent--with leads, Billy Crudup and Samantha Morton, deserving of particular praise. Perhaps too it's, at least in part, because FH's ultimate redemption is a plausible one. Out of rehab, he gets a job in a different kind of rehabilitation center, a home for sufferers of rare neurological diseases. It is finally there that he realizes that there may indeed be a place in the world for people like him.

Many viewers will find the final, sobered up segment of the film a little weaker dramatically than the drug addled scenes that precede it. That's true, but the end is also something of a relief. FH would surely have joined the ranks of his fallen comrades in arms had it not been for rehab and the chance at a new life in a new city. It's the kind of ending you could call "bittersweet"--if you use terminology like that. It's also one of only two possible endings for someone like "FH"--and, like him, you're grateful for that much.

When I first heard of this movie, I immediately recognized the source of the title as being a line from Lou Reed's "Heroin." I was disappointed, at first, to see that that song was not incluced on the soundtrack. But on further reflection, that actually seemed the better choice. Lou Reed is the quintessetial urban poet. FH never even comes close to New York City or any other real metropolis. The Neil Young, Doug Sahm and Louvin Brothers tracks actually used in the film are actually more fitting. ... Read more

Reviews (35)

Powerful performance from Lauren Holly
"No Looking Back" is an uneven, but engaging movie. Lauren Holly is luminescent as Claudia, a small-town waitress who gave up her dreams of a better life in the big city a long time ago. Now she's trapped in a pointless relationship with Michael (Jon Bon Jovi-surprisingly good), and her life is complicated when her old boyfriend, Charlie (Edward Burns) returns to town. Lauren Holly's performance and Edward Burns' script really bring Claudia to life. There's a little bit of Claudia in everyone, and it's hard not to become involved. The few dull spots are well worth the feelings you'll get when you remember this movie.

NO LOOKING BACK
No looking back was very realistic. The cast was especially convincing. Today I met Edward Burns while filming his new movie Ash Wednesday outside of my house.

He is even more attractive in person, he agreed to take a picture with me. I didn't shake that bad on my wedding day, this man is just too much! Edward Burns is an outstanding actor, director and fantastic man.

If you haven't seen any other of his films get to your video store and rent She's The One, or Brother's McMullen. He is brilliant....

Laura

not nescesarally his worst
five years ago, my wife brought this video home for us to watch,-after having brought the first two home for us to watch. this movie seemed somehow prophetic at the time. it was. she left me a month after we watched it. I found it dreary and depressing at the time,- and needless to say; - Ive had no desire to watch it since. but along with ALL his other movies, Ive ordered it on DVD from amazon[.com]. what I take away from it is that no-wheresville small towns CAN have attributes [its POSSIBLE], and edward burns himself. he plays more or less the same character in all of his films,- cool, detatched yet involved, and AWARELY EXPERIENCING life. above all-solid. his character in every film thinks and feels, yet at root, theres nothing thats going to DESTROY this guy. a man engaged in life for the long haul.

Classics, all three of Ed Burns movies.
If your hesitant in spending $50+ on these three movies all I can say is DON"T BE. It will be the BEST money you spent on entertainment in a long time.

Burns movies are the kind that make you think about the human tragedy. These are movies that you drink coffee and discuss in extreme detail.

My sister sent me the book "Three Screenplays by Edward Burns". I started reading the plays and knew I had to see the movies. What stories, what writing.

I feel his screenplays will become classics, with such plays as Millers, "Death of a Salesman." I can't wait for his next play.

Thank god for Sundance and the opportunity given to let the public have the pleasure of seeing such fine work as Ed Burns.

Being from Rockaway and leaving to make something of my life I can honestly say Burns depicted life in Rockaway in "No Looking Back" true in every detail. Even got the colors in the homes exactly as I remember them. These movies will have a permanent place in my collection.

No Looking Back
Please, please, please release a soundtrack for this excellent film. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Mickey Blue Eyes was crafted as a vehicle for the stammering British charm of Hugh Grant (star of Four Weddings and a Funeral and Nine Months), so whether or not you like the movie will depend heavily on your affection for Grant. He plays an art auctioneer who falls in love with schoolteacher Jeanne Tripplehorn (Basic Instinct, Very Bad Things), who just happens to be the daughter of mobster James Caan (The Godfather, Misery). To protect Grant, Tripplehorn tries to fend off his proposal of marriage, but some miscommunications lead to Grant being embraced by the "family." After the mob decides to launder money through Grant's auction house, an accidental killing results in Grant pretending to be Mickey Blue Eyes out of Kansas City (the sight and sound of Grant trying to say "fuggedaboudit" was undoubtedly what sold the movie in the first place). The plot isn't as well executed as it could be, but the leads are all well cast and there are some excellent supporting performances, particularly Burt Young (Rocky) as a myopic mob boss and Scott Thompson (from the comedy troupe The Kids in the Hall) as a sprightly FBI agent. --Bret Fetzer ... Read more

Reviews (38)

IT'S SLIGHTLY BETTER THAN YOU'D THINK
To tell you the truth, I wasn't really expecting too much from this movie, it IS a romantic comedy, but not expecting too much is the best way to not be dissapointed.

Hugh Grant plays an auctioneer who wants to marry his girlfriend played by Jeanne Tripplehorn. The only problem is she wants to protect him from her family, who happen to be mobsters, most notable James Caan.

Hugh Grant's clumsy, stuttering style serves him well here because he is faced with a number of uncomfortable situations. He and Caan do fine work in the movie although Caan's character becomes weaker towards the second half of the movie. Tripplehorn is ok, in a role that only required her to be ok.

The rest of the mobster cliches, I mean cast, are made up of people who at one time or another have been or will be on The Sopranos.

The movie does have some funny moments, like when Caan teaches Grant to talk like a wiseguy, although that wears thin soon. But in the end the movies uneven tone between lighthearted romantic comedy and some violence ultimately keep it from being too memorable

Nice romantic comedy.
This film combines romance, comedy and the Mafia quite well. Hugh Grant is romantically involved with a beautiful girl whose father (James Caan) is a NYC mob figure. She tries to hide it from him, but eventually he finds out and becomes innocently involved with her father and the mob. Enjoyable flick.

IT'S NO "ANALYZE THIS", BUT FUN ROMP THRU A DOOZY SITUATION
Witty theme, darker than you'd expect and with some dead-serious undertones (Burt Young's character, for example, is *scary* without a trace of humor) but this is totally appropriate in context and gives the movie a punch that many comedies lack. Hugh Grant's comic timing took me by surprise, as did Jeanne T's convincing rendition of a mafia don's daughter. James Caan was actually the reason I picked this DVD up and did not regret it. Very worthy spin for an evening if you like atypical comedies in general or mafia comedies in particular.

Hugh Grant Provides Lots of Light-hearted Fun !!!
Whenever I find an unfavorable review for this film it really mystifies me. This is one of my favorite comedies!! Hugh Grant does his usual excellent job since this story serves as a PERFECT vehicle for his familiar cinematic personna. There are definitely some unforgettable scenes here...I'm talking about the botched up marriage proposal of course, and who can forget the part where James Caan has to teach Grant how to talk like a gangster?! There are soooo many laughs-- never a dull moment and a great bargain for such a fun movie! If you like Grant, this DVD is a must have! If you don't, then you cannot recognize a truly charismatic performer when you see one.

Fun.
Another great movie with Hugh Grant. I loved the parody of the mafia mobsters. All the things that are being played out so seriously in films like 'The Godfather', are being parodied in this film. ... Read more

Reviews (10)

Street of Angel
Sollance Mitchell (writer of Sundance Film Festival's 1992 Grand Jury Prize Winner, "In The Soup") brings us a rich story of redemption and unrequited love. JAMEY MEADOWS (Jon Bon Jovi) is freshly released from Rikers Island prison after taking the fall for his burglar brother, GIL (William Forsythe). Back in Manhattan, Jamey is determined to lead a new crime-free life and to become a productive citizen.

Jamey loses his first job when he stands up to his racist boss. Broke and homeless, Jamey is forced to clean windshields on Houston Street for money. He encounters Gil and his girlfriend, PATTI, driving in their luxury car. Gil, a church-going burglar who prides himself on being non-violent, feels a fatherly responsibility to Jamey desperately needs money, he rejects Gil's pleas to help him rob stores again - but Jamey's weakening.

Jamey lands a job as a New York City census taker and slowly saves money to get out of his homeless shelter. He meets and falls in love with CHUN HUA (Bai Ling), a beautiful, young Chinese woman. To spend time with her, Jamey pretends that he's a successful writer and becomes her English teacher. He discovers that to support her baby, Chun Hua has married LIU WEI-YAN, a cruel, elderly Chinese businessman who treats her only as a showpiece. Chun Hua longs to return to her baby's father, an improverished graduate student in China.

Meanwhile, Gil is trying to save his wife from TONY LO FAT, a Chinese gangster to whom Gil owes $50,000. Gil goes after Jamey to steal Chun Hua's keys and rob her rich husband's townhouse for the money. Jamey refuses and stalls Gil with a fake house key. Nonetheless, Gil breaks in and kidnaps Chun Hua's baby as ransom for the money he owes to Tony Lo Fat.

In the film's thrilling climax, Jamey steals the baby back from Gil, but not without terrible consequences. While escaping with the baby in a dinghy on the Hudson River, Jamey loses his own life. Just before he dies, Jamey hides an airline ticket to Beijing, purchased with his saving money, underneath the baby's clothes. He has given Chun Hua and her baby a way back to China. The film closes poignantly with Chun Hua teaching Jamey's favorite childhood song, "Row Your Boat," to her baby as they board the airplane.

Jon was Great
I purchased this movie purely knowing that Jon Bon Jovi had a lead roll. Being from Australia this movie is not available here, so I purchased it through Amazon blind, knowing very little about it (pretty risky). Jon is pretty convincing as an ex con trying to go the straight and narrow. Mixed in with a soppy love story is always a winner with me. Highly recommended viewing, those dreamy blue eyes just reel you in, if nothing else the perve value was worth the extra cost (with the exchange rate being so poor). I'm happy to have this movie in my home movie collection.

hot
Jon Bon Jovi is soooooooooooooo sexy. Especially in the opening scene where he goes shirtless. And his acting in this movie is really good.

JON WAS GREAT!
All I have to say because so many have said so much, just get it!. I wasn't sure if I would like the film but I did, I really did. Jon's cating has come a long way. He is ready for the big screen. The story line was great, but, because I LOVE JON, I didn't prefer the ending.The only way you could tell that this was a low budget film was the editing. All actors were good, but, I'm throughly impressed with the acting ability of Jon. This film is not just for Bon Jovi fans. Get it today.
Enjoy!!

World class acting from Jon Bon Jovi!
I thought this movie was wonderful. I got it because I'm a huge BON JOVI fan. This movie was very good. You could see based on the past films he had done, his acting has come a long way. Jon was believable the whole time. I suggest this movie to everyone. The acting is so good that it isn't just for the JBJ fan. Go get it .Great story line. The only thing that gave it away that it was a low budget film was the editing, other than that I would see this in the theater.
I like this movie over the movie No Looking Back. Maybe because Jon is the star! Enjoy. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Is it just me...
or do the "girls" in this movie look a bit old to be girls.

UNITY
This is One of my Favoirte movies, next to just another girl, the players club, and eves bayou... It shows that we women are strong, and we ain't gonna take no stuff from no man... No disrespect...

Great Movie!
This is one of the best movies I've ever seen! It is so true in its depiction of young women today. The actresses and the dialogue perfectly capture the issues and limitations facing many young women. Bravo!!!

This movie is excellent!
I love this movie, but the fact of the matter is that I couldn't find it anywhere in stores. It took me forever to find it and I'm glad I did. Now I can enjoy it with friends and family. Thanks Amazon! ... Read more

Reviews (29)

A movie that becomes a discovered treasure.
When I search the video stores, trailers and magazines for critiques on a special film that is not well known and perhaps overlooked, Niagra Niagra is exactly what I am hoping to find. The only other movies I've seen Robin Tunney in were The Craft & Empire Records and never took notice of her performance as anything special, rather quite average. Tunney blew me away with her performance in this movie. She is deserving of much more recognition than she received. Niagra, Niagra touched me in such a way that I continue to go around telling friends/family, "Have you seen this movie called Niagra Niagra?" I usually follow up with a visit to my local video store and an invite to watch a movie that touches myriad range of emotions such as laughter, shock, empathy, anger and inspiration. Niagra Niagra becomes your own personal, discovered treasure....

Robin Tunney's best performance, so far...
"Niagara, Niagara" is a movie about sporatic lovers on the road, with the backdrop of a young woman who has, let's say "a more than mild" case of Tourette's Syndrome, which can cause strange and erratic behavior. Robin Tunney plays this character in a most chilling fashion, and saves this motion picture from mediocraty. {she won a "best actress" award in Italy for her role} Henry Thomas does an adequate job as the male lead, but Tunney is the star, here. Honorable mention goes to Michael Parks as a country bumpkin the couple meets who gives them aid and shelter. The ending is an anti-climax that the viewer does not expect, and may make one feel uneasy, but it is a realistic scene that one will not find surprising. The screenplay is a good idea that has different variations than other "road trip movies". Once again, watch this one for Tunney, because she is an impressive, young actress whose performances are improving with each role. flymanmt@hotmail.com

Niagara, Niagara
Remember the boy who once tried to free an alien from the US Government back in the early 1980's? The tender and sweet alien that made believers out of so many people and influenced everything from "ALF" to my own fasination with aliens. Grossing to be one of the all time money makers, "ET" paved the way for the young Drew Barrymore but what ever happened to Henry Thomas?

Henry Thomas seems more at ease choosing roles that are less commercial from the over budgeted "ET". 1997's indie film "Niagara, Niagara" proved more about his ability to perform then anything he has done. He plays Seth, a local shoplifter who dreams of a better life and accidentally runs into his significant other while in the process. Robin Tunney's perfomance as Marcy is unbelievably clever and very well acted. I probably would have gave her a shot at "The Exorcist" with a performance of such potency. Offbeat but intensely realistic, "Niagara, Niagara" showcases love and relationships at its most eccentric. Characters locked by fate with a ghostly foreshadowing of life with pain and heartbreak.

Bonnie And Clyde With A Psych Twist
I love indie type movies, so when a friend of mine told me about this one I decided it was worth a try to check it out. I'm a fan of Robin Tunney from "The Craft" and "Empire Records" so I knew this was going to be a good movie. I definitely loved it. Robin's and Henry's performances made it well worth the watch. I would definitely reccommend this movie to those of you who like off-beat, kinda quirky movies. The movie starts off with the two main character's Seth and Marcie shoplifting from the same store. They end up meeting in the parking lot and so begins a...well... I'm reluctant to call it a love story. There's a lot of action in here as well as the "love story". Guys would like it for the periodical violence and girls would dig the quirky, off-beat romance. In all, this movie is definitely not a waste of money.

Terrific, Terrific - A quirky "on-the-road", dark triumph
Tunney plays a well-to-do, shoplifting misfit who is constantly trying to maintain while living with Tourettes Syndrome. Thomas is an equally awkward misfit (who coincidently also has a propensity for shoplifting), plagued by the tirades of his abusive father. Tunney and Thomas meet in a store and begin a friendship/romance as they venture out on a journey to acquire a "black Bobbie head" (i.e. comparable to the Barbie busts that you apply cosmetics to). This is one of those "on-the-road" type movies where the two main characters learn about each other through a series of mishaps, conversations and situational involvements. Thomas seems to tolerate Tunney's bizarre outbursts and fits of violence as much as she tolerates his embellishment of truths, his creepy quietness and his evident depression. In a nutshell, what started out as a well-intentioned and sweet-spirited quest, ultimately snowballs out of control and causes both characters even more grief and heartache than they started out with. Though they contemplate returning home, they carry on. Throughout the film, Tunney's symptoms grow relatively worse and her and Thomas find it increasingly difficult to acquire the medicines she needs to remain even - at one point they attempt to rob a pharmacy which faces them with a terrifying, narrow escape. They also meet a senile and somewhat eccentric gentleman who tries to help them out but Tunney's rage and illness (my guess is mostly fueled by jealousy as Thomas is extremely partial to the man)overtakes the situation sending the two into another downward trajectory. Admittedly, the ending was sort of a surprise (one which I digress to give away), but on the other hand, truly complimentary to the way the entire story was structured. If you are looking for something to warm your heart or tickle your funny bone, please don't pick up Niagara, Niagara. Actually, if you are easily disturbed or highly sensitive, this may also not be the best choice for you. I rated this movie "4 stars" out of five. I remember going into a little arthouse theater near where I live and seeing it with a boyfriend for the first time. I came away with that dumbfounded sense of startled excitement and wonderment that left me speechless some time afterwards. Mostly because this isn't one of those "happy" films that just glazes things over to make us as viewers feel better and being of the more misanthropic variety, I found this to be somewhat of a triumph. Tunney does one he** of a job as a serious actress. So if you like those quirky little cinematic masterpieces that offer more substance than filler - this might be one to add to your wish list. ... Read more

Description

From award winning director Rebecca Miller comes this poignant coming-of-age story about a young girl caught between the harsh realities of a difficult family life and the fantasy world she escapes to inside her head. Winner of the Grand Jury Prize at Sun ... Read more

Reviews (5)

A Cinematic Masterpiece
This movie sent chills down my spine even after the twentieth time of seeing it. Excellent architecture, this movie portrays imagination in a light that leaves you a little unsure of the diagnosis. It left me wondering if the magical things that happened to these girls was real or really in their imaginations.

It also allowed me to see a wierd, dark side of childhood again, like what I went through, circumstances that made survival and coping palpable and no longer hidden. I reccommend everyone see this movie at least once. Maybe the things hidden in this movie were unintentional, but there are layers to sort through.

Very Interesting
I came accross this movie in a movie store and it caught my eye because my name is Angela as well and after reading the back of the movie cover, the part that said she came from a deranged family was interesting because that was like me as well. After watching this movie, I thought about it a lot and I couldn't seem to understand it. I watched it again and it came clear to me that the girls made up their own fantasy worlds to escape the very depressing or overly happy mood swings of their mother, and they search for a way to heaven and Angela dies when she succeeds. This movie was very interesting, and very well directed.

through the looking glass
so i ran across this film by accident, or by fate, but all i can say is wow. it shows the other side of children, the side we all fall in love with without truly understanding. the devotion and love these girls possess results in fear and exhaustion due to their circumstances, and yet it still remains so selfless, so perfect. the film is beautiful to look at. it has a very 'dancer in the dark' rhythm that captures an almost raw and living beat. and the girls are captivating, with personalities that outshine the sun.

Very Pleased
Although the above reviewer kind of spoiled the ending for me, the movie definately held my complete attention from start to finish. Very well written and directed, and the actors demonstrated and incredible awareness of their charachters. The relationship between the two sisters appears real in every aspect, and the mother actually reminds me of someone I used to know. Altogether, I was very impressed...

Angela-Good Or Bad?
I was totally blown away by the freedom of expression in this movie. All the actors in the movie, especially the two children were just works of art in motion.There were so many things going on in this movie--yet--somehow the characters all stood out in their own way at the right time. I was completely impressed with the mood of the movie. One that could have been very depressing, was somehow, magical and so loving. The movie also brought out how children can survive through many things and sometimes...when all they have to reach out to is Heaven....God answers......I loved the ending, which at first look was sad, but then after rethinking for a few seconds, I realized that Angela had found her way......This movie is bold, not afraid to show how life really is without censorship attached, and therefore is refreshing and will be very easy to watch many more times.... ... Read more

Amazon.com

In this period family drama set in the Depression-era world of organized crime, director Abel Ferrara (King of New York, Bad Lieutenant) weaves a dark and impressive morality tale of revenge and family loyalty. Christopher Walken plays Ray Tempio, a low-level mobster who with his unstable younger brother Chez (played by Chris Penn) plots revenge for a rival mob's assassination of their younger brother. As they contend with their families--Ray's wife, Jeanette (Annabella Sciorra), who pleads with Ray to forego avenging his brother's death, and Clara (Isabella Rossellini), who has to cope with the unraveling and increasingly paranoid Chez--the struggle between family loyalty and the insatiable drive of revenge leads to tragic consequences. This is a raw, stark, and affecting film with fine ensemble acting and powerful direction from one of the independent film world's most original voices. --Robert Lane ... Read more

Reviews (16)

Now what the hell is this?
WOW! that's all i have to say... For me being a huge fan of movies especailly strange one... This one i thought was unusual...
It was Christopher Walken in one of his best! Chris Penn was outstanding! Benicio Del Toro well, maybe when we didn't know him, hiding his accent would have been a little more unoticeable... And VIncent Gallo is great...
This movie (and I love mafia movies.) was great. But filmed strange and had a strange story or at least it flowed weird... But i reccomend this movie to anyone who is a fan of the genre or actors...

powerful performances
an all star cast led by Christopher Walken and Chris Penn,this movie is a classic and a rare work of art.Annabella Sciorra,Isabella Rossellini,Benicio Del Toro all give powerful performances is this gangland epic.

The (...) scene
I enjoy almost every thing that Christopher Walken is involved in so too this mob film. However, does anyone else remember that when this film was released, there was a rumor, that the (...) scene was....................real?

Quiet Is The New Loud
Although slow and somber, "The Funeral" is also an unsettling, intense, captivating and impressive movie. The story focuses the relationship between three brothers from the mob, and their reaction to the death of one of their own.

This isn`t a typical picture about the mafia, one that focuses multiple chase sequences, gun shootings and random betrayals. Instead, director Abel Ferrara prefers to showcase the dramas and flaws of the characters, presenting a powerful cinematic experience about guilt, family, loyalty, union and choices.
It`s not an easy movie to get into, but it`s surely an original and worthwile one. It`s also way too depressing, still very well crafted, managing to be moving, poignant and emotionally heavy without getting melodramatic or over-sentimentalized.

Ferrara creates a gritty, realistic and claustrophobic atmosphere, making for an addictive and memmorable movie. The cast is first rate, including Christopher Walken, Chris Penn and Vincent Gallo (creepy as always) among others.
Don`t be afraid to enter this funeral.

Very good movie, though Goodfellas it ain't
I love movies like Goodfellas and Casino and Carlito's Way and Scarface and the Godfather series and the rest of THAT kind of mafia movies. And so The Funeral was a surprise to me. There actually are American-made movies with unlikeable mobsters who get everything wrong, kill the wrong people for wrong reasons and themselves, too! Picture that!

But it was a good surprise at that. I can sympathize with another reviewer's unliking of the acting of Chris Penn and Walken's hair, but those are minor flaws. First and foremost, this is a drama of the Italian American culture. You've seen all the same stuff in the more popular movies, but they weren't honest about it. They were just brutal. As good as Scarcese and Coppola and De Niro and Pacino are, they make it their first priority to make the mobsters likeable. Sure, they got their bad sides (as in, wacking people), but come on, they are people, too. Well, they are people, but that doesn't mean they aren't cruel, bloodthirsty vigilantes.

I felt that The Funeral portrayed the mobsters with much more humanity. It's a fact that most people don't have all-rounded personalities. This movie shows that perfectly. ... Read more

Amazon.com

"Queen of the Indies" Parker Posey (Dazed and Confused, Waiting for Guffman, The Daytrippers) shines in this lightweight comedy about a romance between a floundering downtown party girl and a falafel vendor set in Manhattan's trendy loft and club scene. Posey is utterly charming as Mary, the 23-year-old whose talents are pretty much limited to "partying, flirting, making stuff up." Her penchant for partying gets her evicted from her apartment, whereupon--unable to pay her fine or decide what she wants to do with her life--she receives financial and career help from her godmother, who gets her a job in the New York Public Library system. Does the Dewey decimal system hold the key to Mary's future? Director Daisy von Scherler Mayer went on to direct Madeline (1998). --Jim Emerson ... Read more

Reviews (38)

Imitate a Cat Puking!
I first saw this movie on HBO and I loved it ever since. It is certainly one of the most funniest movies I've ever seen and Parker Posey, who is now, because of this film, one of my favorite actresses, is simply charming as the paranoid party girl Mary. One of the funniest scenes I've ever seen is where her roommate Leo goes to talk to a big club owner and he is just hilarious with the whole "imitate a cat puking" thing. Im not going to give anything away! There is a few instances where she uses drugs, and there is very very brief nudity. But, other than that, its a great indie film and deserves to be seen. One of my favorites for sure!

A Side Order of Babaganoush
This has got to be one of the most innovative and tongue-in-cheek independent films of all time. I didn't know anything of the film until last year, and totally got the reason why it was revered as a cult classic among those with brains and a sense of humor.

The great thing about this movie is the leading lady, Parker Posey. Anyone who doesnt crack up the moment she opens her mouth has obviously had a seriously deprived childhood. Among all contemporary actresses, theres not one that has the instinctive comic likeability and timing that Posey has. Well, maybe Lisa Kudrow, but shes busy wasting away her life on 'Friends'.

Parker plays Mary, a Party Girl to reckon with ('I'm a girl who parties like a man', the film's soundtrack tells us). However, with bills to pay and the feeling of self-worth to satisfy, Mary falls at the feet of her godmother, who gives her a job at the library. While the film itself is irreverent, the wondrous job it extracts from its' leading cast is superb. Parker's Middle Eastern lover, her gay best friend, and her English DJ room-mate, all spicen up the proceedings, as Mary works her way through this thing called life, only to discover that the only thing that really matters is the ability to party the best you can.

Aside from spouting some of the most unfortgettable one-liners, Parker's sullen performance as a librarian, and her transformation into a care-a-hang nightlife girl is extremely watchable. I personally preferred her performance here to the more respected one she gave in the dark 'The House of Yes'. Its also far better and substantial than the one she gave us in 'Henry Fool'.

The film also has a stunning soundtrack. The only pity is that it is not yet available on DVD. While other Parker flicks such as 'Best in Show', 'Clockwatchers' and even 'Guffman' are all getting the DVD treatment, its high time someone woke up and put this to digital disc.

Highly recommended.

Funny Flick
Mary is not a librarian but a library clerk who later aspires to be a librarian. It was nice to see the professional get a little bit of respect in such a humorous way.

library propaganda with a side of romance
Mary wants nothing more out of life than to party 'til she drops. Unfortunately, she lands herself in jail and needs her godmother's help for the bail. However, she draws the line at giving Mary more money, and a penniless Mary finds herself agreeing to work at the same library her godmother works at. For a while, Mary exists as a Party Girl at night and a librarian by day. None of her friends see her as anything other than the Party Girl, and it's only after she starts working at the library that she starts to see herself as someone with a future.

Granted, this movie definitely has problems. The romance with the falafel salesman is weak, and it's not exactly a subtle movie. Mary and her friends can be absolutely clueless (everyone's mentioned the "Imitate a cat puking" bit, but I'll mention it again - I discovered that it was possible to laugh and cringe at the same time). As someone who works in the library, however, I have to say that some of the library humor is really fabulous. I can't count how many times I've wanted to do what Mary did and give the people who reshelve things just anywhere a piece of my mind. All the librarians I know who've seen this movie have loved it, so, if you work at a library, I would definitely suggest seeing this. If you don't work at a library, there's still a lot here that's worth seeing, although the movie may rate more of a three for you.

Very stupid!
Rated 1 star. As low as it gets at rating these movies. I am trying to resell this at another website. Best to rent or borrow from local library. ... Read more

Reviews (9)

Woods is wacky!!
I liked it. woods was wacky as Corrigans uncle and it was funny to see Woods get hit y that bus at the end, hilarious. Michael Rapaport is absolutely awesome in this too. funny part is when Corrigans in Rapaports place with his girlfriend and his girlfriend is telling about how she raided some place that had a bunch of vibrators

Worth a Look
"Kicked in the Head" ain't brilliant, but it does unfold with an energy that is both youthful and honest, the way movies about young people should be. Kevin Corrigan's Redmond finds himself criss-crossing paths with gangsters, stalker girlfriends, and even a terrier tied to a shopping cart in his quest to find true love (in the guise of Linda Fiorentino as a smoky stewardess who's been around the airport a few times). Less ably plotted than heartfelt, the movie sometimes lets its hit-and-miss comedy get in the way of the better moments, like the confused Redmond's attempts at a Graduate-style reconciliation with what he thinks is the love of his life. Still, it's sincere in feeling, and any movie that can work the remake of Louis Armstrong's Bond song "We Have All the Time in the World" can't be bad. Check it out if you need to be reminded of the breezy angst of young love.

The blackest of the black comedies
Man, I hate to say anything good about a film with James Woods in the credits, my personal choice as Hollywood's most irritating and unlikable actor since Victor Mature. However, he's only got a bit part, thank god, and he plays a consumate loser(not much of a stretch) so I will gleefully throw this one a prop. It's too bad this one got so much bad press. I guess people tuned out early from all the existential angst our main character, Kevin Corrigan, is bleeding all over the place. Michael Rapaport is hysterical as an enthusiastic Irish gun toting beer distributor at war with more ethnic gun toting beer distributors. Basically the same role he played in True Romance but this time he's on crack. I think I counted about 700 beers in his refrigerator? I also noticed that nobody in this movie can shoot worth a [dime]. Spoilers ahead: Have you ever seen anybody empty an entire clip from a Desert Eagle at 3 feet and hit nothing but the sky? This movie is inventive, witty, and just downright hilarious. Worth a second look. The final scene had me simultaneously rolling on the floor and searching for an airsick bag. Funny funny funny! A solid 9 beer salute.

This is the funniest indie film ever made!
Filmed in the lower east side of new york, the story tackles complex emotions and the struggling life of a writer. It has a great cast with Michael Rappaport's best performance doing what he does best: acting like a beefy thug. I'm not sure why Matthew Harrison never made more movies.

MUST SEE MOVIE OF THE CENTURY
For some reason all of those stuck up critics didn't like the movie. I, however, loved it. Kevin Corrigan is perfect for his role, his acting is so low key that he makes some of the funniest lines even funnier. "You pay the rent" "no" "yeah, see that could be a problem" The main reason this movie is so great is all the minor characters we meet along the way and there is at least one line you will remember from every scene that will make you laugh whenever u think about it. The best scene in the movie is when Redmond is talking with some drunk guy about the stewardist (?) ... Read more

Reviews (38)

IT'S SLIGHTLY BETTER THAN YOU'D THINK
To tell you the truth, I wasn't really expecting too much from this movie, it IS a romantic comedy, but not expecting too much is the best way to not be dissapointed.

Hugh Grant plays an auctioneer who wants to marry his girlfriend played by Jeanne Tripplehorn. The only problem is she wants to protect him from her family, who happen to be mobsters, most notable James Caan.

Hugh Grant's clumsy, stuttering style serves him well here because he is faced with a number of uncomfortable situations. He and Caan do fine work in the movie although Caan's character becomes weaker towards the second half of the movie. Tripplehorn is ok, in a role that only required her to be ok.

The rest of the mobster cliches, I mean cast, are made up of people who at one time or another have been or will be on The Sopranos.

The movie does have some funny moments, like when Caan teaches Grant to talk like a wiseguy, although that wears thin soon. But in the end the movies uneven tone between lighthearted romantic comedy and some violence ultimately keep it from being too memorable

Nice romantic comedy.
This film combines romance, comedy and the Mafia quite well. Hugh Grant is romantically involved with a beautiful girl whose father (James Caan) is a NYC mob figure. She tries to hide it from him, but eventually he finds out and becomes innocently involved with her father and the mob. Enjoyable flick.

IT'S NO "ANALYZE THIS", BUT FUN ROMP THRU A DOOZY SITUATION
Witty theme, darker than you'd expect and with some dead-serious undertones (Burt Young's character, for example, is *scary* without a trace of humor) but this is totally appropriate in context and gives the movie a punch that many comedies lack. Hugh Grant's comic timing took me by surprise, as did Jeanne T's convincing rendition of a mafia don's daughter. James Caan was actually the reason I picked this DVD up and did not regret it. Very worthy spin for an evening if you like atypical comedies in general or mafia comedies in particular.

Hugh Grant Provides Lots of Light-hearted Fun !!!
Whenever I find an unfavorable review for this film it really mystifies me. This is one of my favorite comedies!! Hugh Grant does his usual excellent job since this story serves as a PERFECT vehicle for his familiar cinematic personna. There are definitely some unforgettable scenes here...I'm talking about the botched up marriage proposal of course, and who can forget the part where James Caan has to teach Grant how to talk like a gangster?! There are soooo many laughs-- never a dull moment and a great bargain for such a fun movie! If you like Grant, this DVD is a must have! If you don't, then you cannot recognize a truly charismatic performer when you see one.

Fun.
Another great movie with Hugh Grant. I loved the parody of the mafia mobsters. All the things that are being played out so seriously in films like 'The Godfather', are being parodied in this film. ... Read more

Reviews (27)

Knife in the head = a stabbing headache
As "Jesus' Son" began, I braced myself for yet one more depressing character study of low-life, substance-addicted losers a la "Panic In Needle Park", "Barfly", "Sid and Nancy" or "(insert name of your favorite Gus van Sant film here)". However,as the movie unfolded I realized that I was watching the kind of subtle yet picaresque tale that has been MIA in American cinema since the 70's..."Scarecrow", "Two-Lane Blacktop", "Rancho Deluxe", etc. The chameleon-like Billy Crudup scores as the chronically underachieving antihero, delivering his first-person voiceover in a non-linear "verite" style. Samantha Morton ("Sweet & Lowdown") gives a notable performance as Crudup's enabling junkie girlfriend. The irrepressible Jack Black continues his reign as the Thinking Man's Chris Farley with a memorable turn as a manic,pill popping hospital orderly with interesting ideas about "prepping" patients. Great cameos abound, including a virtually unrecognizable Denis Leary (who for once goes a little deeper than just playing himself). Quite rewarding for patient viewers.

A Drugstore Cowboy for the '00s
It's hard to believe that Drugstore Cowboy was released as long ago as 1989. Just as Trainspotting was described as a "Drugstore Cowboy for the '90s", it's tempting to describe Jesus' Son as a "Drugstore Cowboy for the '00s". Like Gus Van Sant's now-classic film, the story revolves around two heroin addicts (Billy Crudup and Samantha Morton, both excellent), it's set in the somewhat recent past (the '70s instead of the '60s) and it's based on a previously existing literary source; in this case, Denis Johnson's short story collection of the same name. But despite everything -- mostly bad -- that "FH" (Crudup) experiences throughout the course of the film, Jesus' Son is more of a character study (Crudup also serves as the narrator). Some may still find it just as off-putting as Drugstore Cowboy, which didn't seem to judge its characters. But Jesus' Son isn't as concerned with FH's drug use as much as his very character, his nature -- his "essence", if you will. And if you can't find anything to love about the hapless FH, you'll probably feel the same way about Alison Maclean's striking film (after the well received, but little seen Crush). As in High Fidelity, Jack Black provides much of the humor, although Crudup proves himself surprisingly adept at comedy in a few choice moments. Dennis Hopper, Denis Leary and Holly Hunter (in a well acted, but not particularly convincing role) also star. Fans of The Panic in Needle Park (featuring Al Pacino in his first lead performance), Vincent Gallo's loopy Buffalo 66 and, especially, Drugstore Cowboy should find much to enjoy. Joe Henry's fine soundtrack only sweetens the deal, the highlight of which must surely be Tommy Roe's funky "Sweet Pea", to which Ms. Morton (as Michelle) does *quite* the dance, drawing FH into her dangerously compelling world without saying a word.

Sidenote: The Velvet Underground's "Heroin", in which Lou Reed proclaims that he feels "just like Jesus' Son" when he's "rushing on [his] run", isn't featured in either the film or on the soundtrack.

Dark laughter: tears: redemption
My first take on first viewing was: right, I want to watch a movie about some disgusting, sleazy, young idiots. The sex. The violence. The drugs. And then, you start to pay attention to the narrator's voice, and you begin to understand the intelligence, the attempt at a philosopy of life that lies behind the voice. And you laugh as a dead guy gets beat up in a corn field.
I own two movies--the other is John Huston's "The Dead". I only buy movies that have enough complexity in script, acting, and production, that you can watch over and over and still see new things.
This is a movie that changes gears on you constantly. One viewing will not suffice.
I still scream with laughter when I see it, and I still weep.

"Have your ticket in your hand...
. . .Before it is too late" ~ That line comes from the Woodie Guthrie tune, Airline To Heaven,(performed by Wilco)that plays over the end credits of Jesus' Son. It captures the flavor of this movie, & it sums up the blend of hope, loss, faith & acceptance of life ~ not only for drug guzzling "losers", but for any & everyone.

The late 60's/early 70's didn't exactly corner the market on lost weirdo's who found solace behind a substance-induced mask of happiness. One of my closest friends IS that character that Denis Leary plays ~ sometimes comical, sometimes tragic. Just like this movie.

Jesus' Son offers the really straight, by-the-numbers people a little insight into the people & lives that those folks usually avoid & disregard; "only bad people use drugs".

Not so.

It's also interesting to watch a movie that has character's using a variety of street drugs that was made at a time, currently, that is, when most young people in this culture have been heavily bombarded with anti-drug/"War On Drugs" propaganda, & have been steadily for about twenty yrs or so . . yet the story is of an era where that level of propaganda wasn't as pervasive & all encompassing as it is today.

Well, anyway, other people have already written better reviews of this than I could, or have, but I had to write something about this heartfelt little movie.
"Cheer up my brother, live in the sunshine, we'll understand it all by & by"

"I Feel Just Like Jesus' Son"
If you came of age (or nearly did) in the 60's, you may recall a moment--very likely sometime in the early 70's, unless you were extremely prescient and saw it coming earlier--when all the hippie idealism pretty much just dissolved before your eyes and was replaced by...well, whatever it was replaced by. I recall being actually kind of angry at all these small town stoners whose only countercultural value was, quite frankly, drug taking. Society was not about to undergo a profound spiritual transformation at their hands. Of course, it was scarcely about to at anyone else's either...but who knew back then?

Lost souls like JESUS SON'S "FH" were really not uncommon back in the day. They may not have been uncommon back in any day. But the 60s and early 70s brand was perhaps a little more noticeable and, in some senses, sympathetic because of their vaguely anti-establishment stance. For a brief moment in history, outcasts were almost taken seriously. These people really did exist. As surreal as JESUS' SON sometimes gets, it remains grounded in its very vivid, very authentic characters.

Yes, there were certain junkie truths that ultimately became cinematic cliches. The numrerous OD's, the failed love relationships and the sporadic attempts at redemption are all elements of JESUS' SON. And yet, they come across as less cliched in this particular druggie film than in some others. Perhaps it's because the acting is almost uniformly excellent--with leads, Billy Crudup and Samantha Morton, deserving of particular praise. Perhaps too it's, at least in part, because FH's ultimate redemption is a plausible one. Out of rehab, he gets a job in a different kind of rehabilitation center, a home for sufferers of rare neurological diseases. It is finally there that he realizes that there may indeed be a place in the world for people like him.

Many viewers will find the final, sobered up segment of the film a little weaker dramatically than the drug addled scenes that precede it. That's true, but the end is also something of a relief. FH would surely have joined the ranks of his fallen comrades in arms had it not been for rehab and the chance at a new life in a new city. It's the kind of ending you could call "bittersweet"--if you use terminology like that. It's also one of only two possible endings for someone like "FH"--and, like him, you're grateful for that much.

When I first heard of this movie, I immediately recognized the source of the title as being a line from Lou Reed's "Heroin." I was disappointed, at first, to see that that song was not incluced on the soundtrack. But on further reflection, that actually seemed the better choice. Lou Reed is the quintessetial urban poet. FH never even comes close to New York City or any other real metropolis. The Neil Young, Doug Sahm and Louvin Brothers tracks actually used in the film are actually more fitting. ... Read more

Reviews (28)

Impressive Work by Steve Buscemi
Steve Buscemi has long been one of the premiere character actors in the business; his resume reads like a veritable Who's Who of interesting, complex characters who run the gamut from psycho hit-man to regular guy, all of whom he has brought vividly to life in film after film. And whether or not a particular project is a hit or a flop, Buscemi is always good, and can always be counted upon to add that extra something to any given film, as he has in "Trees Lounge," an affecting drama he not only stars in, but with which he makes his debut as a writer/director-- and an impressive debut it is.

Tommy Basilio (Buscemi) is an out-of-work mechanic who lives alone above a bar called Trees Lounge in Long Island, N.Y. He's more than a bit down on his luck; not only did he lose his job, but his pregnant girlfriend of eight years, Theresa (Elizabeth Bracco) recently dumped him for his former boss, Rob (Anthony LaPaglia). He wants to pick himself up and get his life back together, but he doesn't seem to know where to start, and the garages to which he's applied for work aren't exactly knocking his door down to hire him. So he gravitates to the Trees, where he can at least interact with others who seem to be in situations not entirely unlike his own, though at different stages and for different reasons. But they all have one thing in common-- they're people just trying to get through the day; they're trying to get through life. If they can only figure it all out.

With this film, Buscemi proves that he is more than just a talented actor, but rather a true artist in every sense of the word, with his chosen medium being film. He has an eye for detail which complements his insights into human nature and enables him to effectively translate his material to the screen. His characters are finely drawn and complex, and with each and every one he manages to successfully avoid the stereotypes to which a setting like this could easily lend itself (and no doubt would, in lesser hands). Even with the minor characters, he succinctly gives you enough of who they are that it allows you to see beneath the surface and know what makes them tick. And he does it imaginatively-- by filling a room with photographs or items that reflect who a certain person is, for example, or simply by training his camera on someone's face and allowing that extra beat that affords the viewer a telling glimpse of what's hiding behind a character's eyes. Buscemi has an innate sense of knowing how to convey what he's trying to say, and he does it in a million small and different ways that are subtle and incisive. Simply put, he knows what works-- including how to get what he wants out of his actors-- and he presents it all with a pace and timing that are right on the mark.

In Tommy, Buscemi creates a character to whom many will be able to relate and identify on any number of different levels. To say that Tommy is a "loser" would be too much of a simplification, because the character is too complex for that tag alone to be accurate. Tommy is blue-collar, down on his luck, and like so many people in real life, just can't seem to put it all together, can't figure out how "life" is supposed to work. And that's what Buscemi conveys so subtly and so well, and it's the key to the success of this character-- it's what makes Tommy believable and real. Obviously, Buscemi knew exactly what he wanted when he wrote this character, and he puts it across with a brilliant, memorable performance which also demonstrates his ability to star in and carry a movie on his own. Certainly, he has a wonderful supporting cast that gives him plenty of help, but few character actors have ever been able to step into a lead role with such facility and achieve the level of success Buscemi has here. And it's work that deserves to be acknowledged.

There are a number of notable supporting performances in this film, as well, beginning with Mark Boone Junior, who as Mike captures the essence of a guy who is successful, but a loser nonetheless; LaPaglia, who gives a solid performance as Rob; Bracco, with a performance that is introspectively revealing; Debi Mazar, who with very little screen time leaves an indelible impression (and her eyes are absolutely mesmerizing); Kevin Corrigan (another of the finest character actors around), as Matthew; and especially Chloe Sevigny, as Debbie, Theresa's mature-beyond-her-years, seventeen-year-old niece.

Rounding out the ensemble cast are Carol Kane (Connie), Bronson Dudley (Bill), Michael Buscemi (Steve's real life brother, playing Tommy's brother, Raymond), Suzanne Shepherd (Jackie), Rockets Redglare (Stan), Seymour Cassel (Uncle Al), Annette Arnold (Sandy), Michael Imperioli (George), Mimi Rogers (Patty), Daniel Baldwin (Jerry) and Charles Newmark (Puck). An involving story presented with a rich assortment of memorable, convincing characters, "Trees Lounge" is a drama about life-- about the things going on in your own neighborhood, or downtown or two streets over, no matter where you are in the world. Wherever people are, there are situations like the ones depicted in this film, problems that have to be solved and life that has to be lived. And that's what makes this film so good; it gives the audience a chance to connect with, or at least examine, things that anyone anywhere will be able to recognize. It may have taken a collaborative effort to make this one what it is, but in the end, it's Buscemi's film from start to finish, and a satisfying little gem of a movie it is. And that's the magic of the movies.

Funny, sad portrait of a man slipping away
Steve Buscemi is one of our absolute finest character actors, but in Trees Lounge he gets a chance to direct himself in a starring role. The result is an excellent movie that doesn't seem to have gotten the attention it deserves.

Buscemi's character is a loser: he's been fired from his job as a mechanic, his long-time girlfriend left him for his best friend, and he spends much of his time as a regular at the local bar, the Trees Lounge. A loser, to be sure, but also a basically decent guy. A funny guy with a quick wit, living in a dead-end, blue-collar Long Island suburb, surrounded by friends and relatives with little vision beyond their dead-end lives.

We watch as this loser tries to do the right thing, but just can't get it right. At one point, he apparently succumbs to a certain temptation, but when confronted about it, he insists that "nothing happened!". We believe him, we even feel sorry for him, but we also recognize the inveitability of the outcome, for he has squandered whatever goodwill he still had coming to him.

The final scene is haunting in the way it echoes the opening scene. Sometimes funny, usually bittersweet, Trees Lounge is a very good character study. As a portrayal of alcoholism, it also makes a fine, understated companion piece to Barfly, its more famous, self-conscious, and, in my opinion, inferior predecessor.

"The ice cubes are too heavy."
Steve Buscemi wrote, directed and stars in "Trees Lounge" He plays Tommy, an unemployed mechanic who lives above a bar, and in fact he spends most of his waking life in the bar, hanging out with the other regulars. Tommy is a lost soul, but he doesn't seem to grasp that fact. He's about to face the middle-age existence of a total loser, and he doesn't know how he got to that point or how he can get himself out of it. He yearns for his past romance to former girlfriend, Theresa (Elizabeth Bracco) who's now married to Tommy's ex-boss (Anthony LaPaglia.) Tommy doesn't really want Theresa back--it's more that he wants that period of his life back. Tommy's lack of direction put the nail in the coffin for his relationship with Theresa, but now that he's facing his 40s, he really looks pathetic. It's no wonder that only a naive 17-year-old girl falls for his tarnished charm.

The cast is loaded by supporting talent--Carol Kane is the long-suffering bartender at Trees Lounge,