This is a mother/daughter film. Despite the fact
that I am neither a mother, a daughter, nor a film; I
loved it!
Flamboyant Adele August (Sarandon) finally leaves
small town Wisconsin with her daughter Ann (Portman)
for sunny Beverly Hills, California. On the road,
Adele flagrantly curses her "Mayberry" upbringing and
paints grandiose pictures of their new life on the
West Coast. The captive brooding Ann (already missing
her friends) winces at her mother's tall tales, while
cultivating a dream of her own -- escape. After a
quick spat, Adele stops the car in nowhere Arizona,
"Get out! You don't want to be here! Get out!" Ann
steps out into the lonely desert and stands unsure on
the side of the road. Adele drives out of view only
to return thirty seconds later. Those silent thirty
seconds define Ann's conflict. Despite her faults,
mom has always provided a safety blanket; flight will
have to wait.
Strong script, direction, and acting. An oddly
innocent scene with Ann and boy-interest highlights a
film full of rich moments. Natalie Portman glows like
a firefly on the fourth of July! Forget Sarandon,
give Portman an Oscar and a half.
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