Aurora Boreal

This is a great film, very moving as well as funny. I got a chance to see it at its premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival in April, 2005. Donald Sutherland and Louise Fletcher are extraordinary as the grandparents. I didn't realize how much I had missed seeing them act. Personally I think it's the best thing I've seen Josh Jackson do, and I plan to buy the soundtrack if it gets released. The director is James Burke - I've not seen any of the other movies he directed but he's really good. The pacing seemed just right, he did a great job casting the major parts and I felt he got a lot out of the secondary actors as well. I think it's miscast as a family picture by Tribeca - it's much better and edgier than the standard family fare and there's language use and sexuality not always appropriate for the under 13 crowd. Please note that my 12 year old son saw it with me and loved it. I just had the urge to cover his eyes twice but I resisted. :-)

I had never seen Joshua Jackson before. What a talent, and what a nice surprise. His is a masterful performance of a young man turning the corner from being mired in his thinking to one who awakens before our eyes. This cast is absolutely perfect, from Juliette Lewis' free spirit, to Louise Fletcher's supportive, but somewhat helpless grandmother, to an absolute, don't-miss-this Oscar performance by Donald Sutherland as the aging grandfather whose illness is getting the best of him. Roger Ebert & Richard Roeper have talked about their hope Sutherland gets another good role, because he's such a fine actor. This is the role, this is the year, and I hope the world discovers this little gem of a movie in the glut of big studio releases and marketing. It's rated R for language, but it's barely an R. Because of the discussion of suicide, it's really just a PG-13. Find this movie. You'll have to look for it, because it's being released in the small indie art house market. It should be in every multiplex in America.

i caught this at Tribeca 2005 and i was not expecting what i got - a realistic portrayal of a family in a drama film which wasn't melodramatic or preachy.

instead of distilling the personalities down to identifiable quirks, the cast and crew of aurora tackled the near impossible task of fully fleshing out the majority of the film's characters.

the result was a window into the life of a family that was fascinating to watch. this is also one of the few films I've ever seen which portrayed strong elderly characters. catch this when it hits theaters and video.

Aurora Borealis

The Indie film, "Aurora Borealis" directed by John C.E. Burke has created a fair and moving picture with sensitive undertones and subtle cultivation. The film tells the story of Duncan Shorter, a young twenty-something with poor work ethic, an underlying affliction, and an ill-conceived perception of life. Joshua Jackson or better known as "Pacey" portrays the young passive Duncan. Since the untimely death of his beloved father, Duncan has been quite engulfed and comfortable in his small town in Minnesota. A town where all your friends have been around since elementary school and everyone wallows in their entity and sheer irksome lifestyle with Duncan being no different. From adulterous brother that uses his apartment to his unsupportive circle of friends, Duncan is in no way progressing or moving forward to a dissimilar lifestyle that is destined to take over. The only sanctity of his life is his grandparents, Ronald and Ruth played exquisitely by Donald Sutherland and Oscar winner, Louise Fletcher. Ronald has grown ill over the years with his battle with Parkinson's disease and his steady decline of fragility. Ruth has been the sole caretaker of Ronald but as Ronald becomes more ailing and developing thoughts of suicide, the family must face the choice of a home for him or the inevitability of Ronald attempt at ending his existence. Duncan must now face not only the choice of losing another family member but past demons that surface throughout the film. The sheer tenacity that director Burke has to tackle such a sensitive subject as euthanasia and elderly anguish is electrifying and at times heartbreaking. The volume of humanity expressed throughout the film alone is worthy of viewing consideration. When Duncan meets the nurse of his grandfather, Kate (Juliette Lewis) we see Duncan's world start to be challenged for the first time. Only in the subtlety of sacrifice that the film shows could the film illuminate fully. Joshua Jackson breaks away from his television-type personality and gives a befitting performance. This is the first time he has taken am admirable first step into a leading character. His "Duncan" is tortured and multi-layered but during the approximate two hours of film length it's not always clarified. With perhaps a bit more research and shedding some insecurity, Jackson may have nailed the pivotal role. Louise Fletcher returns to glorious form as Duncan's grandmother, Ruth. Since her Oscar Win for 1975's "One Flew over the Cuckoo's Nest" she's been missed from the silver screen with exceptions of cameos in "Cruel Intentions" and "A Map of the World." Ruth is the champion of the family with her constant understanding of Duncan's insecurities, pain and misguided life to loyalty, passion and care for her feeble husband. There is excellent movie magic being made indeed for the veteran actress. The standout of the cast is coming from the too often ignored and phenomenal veteran actor, Donald Sutherland; who is just waiting for that little bit of buzz to hurtle him into serious contention for a supporting bid from critics. The film has been flying under the radar with the low budget and lack of advertisement but rest assure if enough people see the film Sutherland could be a threat to many men seeking Oscar gold this season. Sutherland's "Ronald" is hilarious, completely likable and a beautifully written character. The courage that Sutherland shows in his character is just cutthroat fire of the film. Leave no mistake, "Ronald" fragility may seem like his weakness but the vulnerability he leaves you after a riveting speech or antithesis will leave you absolutely enthralled. All technical aspects of the film are your average "Plain Jane" kind of independent film but Burke does capture the essence of the culture that we are thrown into. A beautiful musical score coming from Mychael Danna and a crisp clear cut editing style coming from Richard Nord known for his Oscar nominated editing in "The Fugitive." Burke gladly invites the audience into the screen along with a family of heartache and sorrow. I felt compelled and satisfied with the outcome when the credits started rolling. The "northern lights" are evident in "Aurora Borealis" and are gladly incontestable. Post-experience will leave you in disposition and wonderful serenity.

Grade:***/****

I saw this film at the Watefront Film Festival in Saugatuck, Michigan. Directed by James Burke, the film is about unemployable Duncan Shorter (played by Joshua Jackson, making an impressive break from his usual teen and college aimed roles) who gets a new job as a handyman so he can be near his grandparents Ronald and Ruth (Donald Sutherland and Louise Fletcher). Juliette Lewis plays Kate, the home assistant of the grandparents, helping Ronald deal with his Alzheimer's disease. Duncan and Kate meet and quickly form a relationship. Set in the winter of Minnesota, the film is a touching story about a man trying to cope with the death of his father and trying to break free from his fears of the past, present, and future.

I really enjoyed this movie, the acting was wonderful. Donald Sutherland gives a heartbreaking performance as the deteriorating grandfather, it's not over the top, it's just true and believable, proving again why he is one of the greatest actors working today. It's nice to see Louise Fletcher in this giving another one of her great role, even if she doesn't get much screen time. Juliette Lewis also does a nice job, even though it does seem like a typical Lewis performance. And I really enjoyed Joshua Jackson, this is the first adult role I've seen him play and was very impressed. I'm really looking forward to seeing Jackson's future roles, now that I know he has this kind of range.

Overall, it was a nice film, worth watching just for the performances. I wish everybody involved with the making of it the best of luck.