Box of Moonlight

Everything in this film is about subtlety... I think that's why it has such a lasting effect.

It's definitely one of those "mischievous" films... sort of an escape from reality that makes you wonder why you and others take themselves so seriously. It's something that will most likely linger with you for a while. This film made me re-evaluate the seriousness of my life. I think this is among the only films that actually has changed my life somewhat.

1996's "Box of Moonlight" is the very best motion picture I have ever seen in my life. It is a highly symbolic, extraordinary masterpiece of a film. Viewing it is a pure magical experience, and the unique thing is that for every viewing, I have found something I didn't find before. Always something great. (Maybe this is the reason it is so underrated, because there is so much to discover about this film that actually requires a second, or even third viewing). Tom Dicillo's follow up to "Living in Oblivion" has Turturro playing Al Fountain, a strict by the books engineer who, as one character says, "goes through life like a robot". He doesn't know how to enjoy life, and is lost in a world of clockwork. But everything is about to change when he meets a free-spirit named Bucky (AKA Kid) played by Sam Rockwell who gives the performance of his career. They learn from each other and discover, before, unseen elements of life. It succeeds on many levels, but most importantly has such a rich, multi-layered character study. This includes its characters': sprititual growth (maybe even without finding God yet as the film suggests)self discovery, and setting loose of life's boundaries and morals. There are excellent performances all around (notably Rockwell and Turturro, and Katherine Keener). Not to mention Dicillo's brilliant writing/direction, and outstanding cinematography and music.

Due of my obsession for Sam Rockwell i found this wonderful piece of film, knowing absolutely nothing about it, and...what can I say....it's well as we would say it in German: einfach wunderbar.....

Tom DiCillos Film describes in very brilliant scenes how a boring typical American father and husband discovers what life meant to be.... This film has several great scenes in it...the all-American-way of life is present throughout the whole story, showing for example this really fat boy jumping around the pool, or the incredible friendly woman of the car-renal-station....

John Turturro is brilliant as this empty man, who seems to never had any joy in his whole life, accept as a kid at this lake where he travels to, as the had some days off after work.... On his way he meets Buck alias The Kid, a young man who lives deep in the woods far away from every society..For seven days now these very different people get together...and it's so inspiring to see them become...well....some kind of friends.

Sam Rockwell is absolutely gorgeous as The Kid, i had this weird feeling - whenever he's in – i have to embrace this grown-up kid ever and ever again, never let him go.... His face in this scene when Turturro's Character wants to get back the key for his car.... indescribable...wow.... Well....surely i only want to intimate that this film is acting at it's purest.... In the end Turturro's Character as changed, in a little not so obvious way...an me to.

One of my favourite Films of all time. Top notch performances all round especially turturro and Sam rockwell.

Sad,funny,inspiring and always entertaining this is a film that stays in your mind forever and one to watch over and over again.

The Cinematography is sublime, while the screenplay is spot on.

For Film fans who like their films with a great story .

Not for the blockbuster merchants.

In short : A Classic.

Do yourself a favour and rent this movie out.

Tom dicillio at his best.

I suppose I have the right sex, the right age and the right background to absolutely love this movie. It is full of beautiful pictures, romantic and humorous scenes. The balance between dream and reality is aptly kept, the use of colour is deliberate and aesthetically sound (green and shades of blue predominate), the soundtrack is memorable and supports the pictures very well. Box of Moon Light has a pleasant slow pace, and all is well orchestrated into a good, coherent story and a single statement: You have to look for the poetic side of life wherever you are, in whatever situation you find yourself in.

All characters are three dimensional: John Turturro is simply brilliant (the quality of his performance here equals the one he gave in Quiz Show) as the conscientious, morally uptight middle class Mr. Everyman who is sent to a nowhere place in the rolling hills of Tennessee on a futile mission. Sam Rockwell is equally well cast in his role of a totally carefree present day Huckleberry Finn/Davy Crockett who rules supreme in his own little junk-kingdom. Catherine Keener was certainly never lovlier than here. She plays a shy girl from the backwoods and is surprisingly convincing in that role.