A Família Bartlett

Lymelife is a slice of life. It deals mainly with a family in crisis in suburbia.It addresses themes like love, family dynamics, divorce...and it is one of the most refreshing movies I've seen. Teenager Scott Bartlett played by Rory Culkin is the main character and his life is turned upside down when he finds out that his family isn't perfect,his parents relationship is deteriorating and even his older brother isn't exactly who he though it was.The only positive thing in his life is the perspective of a new love, Adrianna Bragg,played by the lovely Emma Roberts, a girl he's in love for quite some time.But Adriana has some problems of her own too,her father has contrived lyme disease and her mother is involved with Scott's father.Trough the course of the movie Scott tries to hold himself together as everything around him falls apart.As I said, this Indie film is a slice of life,all the characters are layered and complex or in other words, they are real persons, flawed and all.The story although very simple is fascinating because it reflects the every day life.Brilliant direction and great acting,specially by Rory Culkin,Alec Baldwin and Emma Roberts.Some of the themes really hit home and its hard not to relate to something or someone in this movie. Absolutely beautiful film,one of the best Indies of the year and a must-see for everyone.

8/10

Finally, a movie that doesn't take itself too seriously while tackling some serious issues. As an American living in Canada I see the condition of my home country today and this film feels like a prelude, or a humorous set up to the state of the country today. It seems this is unintentional as the screenplay was written during better economic times, but it sure is a strange coincidence. The astute observation of how many Americans become consumed with success that failure becomes inevitable. And the story is told with a raw unpretensiousness that doesn't insult you. It unfolds in a credible fashion, parents bickering, kids flirting, a brutal revenge on a bully then turns as serious as it is funny. the line between serious drama and hilariouis humor is so finely balanced that it's almost surgically seamless. I like when a movie keeps me off balance and in Lymelife you never quite know if you're going to kicked in the stomach or laughing hysterically. According to IMDb the film was made in 22 days for 1 million dollars. This I don't believe. It just doesn't seem possible. But then again, you can argue that the time and money constraints forced some very clever film-making. I especially enjoyed the cuts to little model homes with little plastic people and the characters being seen in reflections, I'm assuming the idea is the people on screen are reflections of who we are. But I don't know because it's not really spelled out. I'm just using my imagination. I recommend seeing it for yourself. I may even go back again for one scene in particular between the great Timothy Hutton and the brilliant Alec Baldwin. their only time on screen together and it is not only the best scene in the film but one of the most memorable scenes in recent film history.

by

ex-patriot who still loves America.

Lymelife is the story of a family in Long Island's suburbia during the 1970's. This movie shows us how half truths and the exclusion of detail are in fact lies and even though we don't mean them to hurt they still do. The father (Alec Baldwin) is so enraptured by the suburbia lifestyle that he's completely forgotten that it's not money that makes you happy, but family. The mother who only wants the best for her children doesn't want to raise them in this judgmental place where she can't be herself. The brother, Jimmy, (Kieran Culkin) has a typical relationship with his father where he wants to be the exact opposite of him and does so by joining the army and running away. Rory Culkin does an exquisite job starring as Scott, the main character, who is the only one who is trying to put things into perspective for everyone else whilst going through puberty and fighting his insatiable love for the girl next door who sees him as a little brother. Although all of their problems seem trivial compared to their neighbor who has lyme disease that is like a constant acid trip and is ruining his life. All in all I would highly recommend seeing this movie because as depressing as I've made it sound it is in fact quite lifting and a great piece of cinema.

I can't wait for my next three-Martini film! If Lymelife can be done in less than a month, let's have at least two more before year's end––the last positioned for awards season. Yes, I worry this remarkable film will be unheralded and forgotten in eight months. I can visualize every member of this excellent cast reading the script and beginning to drool. All this tight, little character-driven story needed was a cast that knew whereof it spoke and a director who could give that cast's instincts and improvisational abilities free rein. Obviously, the Martini brothers with a cathartic, autobiographical exercise in familial dysfunction said, "Hey, the Culkins will know where we're coming from!" And do they ever! The scenes between the brothers are heartbreaking in their awareness of fraternal love and filial disillusionment.

The sexual initiation scenes are tender, funny and soooo real. The floundering, faulty adults, right on the nose! This is Timothy Hutton's best work since Ordinary People.

The 1979 setting is subtly established by the scrupulously selected music and the vehicles of the time. The only effort to tie in current events in this post-Viet Nam war-weary era is an almost subliminal reference to the takeover of the American embassy in Tehran. And this is all so right, because the characters and relationships, which is what we're here for, are timeless.

The symbolism––right up to the real estate baron bearing the cross of a For Sale sign––hits just the right note. if you have a chance to see this film, go.

Had the pleasure of seeing this at Toronto and Sundance. I'm a festival rat and do not usually comment on movies. But this film struck me in different ways on both viewings. The first time I was consumed in all of the performances, which are spectacular. The second time I was wrapped up in all of the symbolism. The reflection shots, the little fake houses, the spiritual references, the overall tone of the movie that was set by the director and his brother. Is this a perfect movie? It's as perfect a movie as you will find on the premiere festival circuit. And when I found out it was filmed on a tiny budget, I was even more impressed. It turns out to be a funny and moving story that makes you laugh a lot. The director is funny, the actors are all funny and the music is amazing. Every scene that had a song in it was completely amazing. Martin Scorsese is the producer of the film and the director is clearly a big fan. There's violence, emotion and a lot of humor. It's not about the mafia but it has a Sopranos feel to it. I can't put my finger on it, but it's there. To sum it up, it has some very heavy scenes but those scenes are peppered with hilarious moments. So it's never too dark or too heavy. It plays like a film from the 1960's or 70's. Heck of a job. I want to see more from this filmmaker.