In the Gloaming

IN THE GLOAMING (1997/MTV) *** Glenn Close, David Strathairn, Robert Sean Leonard, Bridget Fonda, Whoopi Goldberg. Christopher Reeve (shortly after his debilitating horse riding accident) directed this HBO Films story about a WASP family coming to terms with their gay son's decision to return home to die with dignity and decidedly to heal some old wounds. Effective acting especially Close as the mother and Leonard as her boy.

Glenn Close's character speaks about movies that make you laugh and cry. This is one of those, although tbh it makes you cry a lot more than it makes you laugh, or even smile. I cried buckets.

A TV movie, but those can be really good and with this cast it's almost impossible to fail. There's something magical about Danny and his mom and their quiet talks outside. Directed by Christopher Reeve. A short movie but very touching. It's very predictable but the beauty is in the dialogue and the chemistry that the characters have or do not have. All actors contribute here, even those with minor roles. Bridget Fonda's is thankless and limited but she does well too. I guess it could've been longer and probed more into dad and sis. But it's fine.

I rented "In The Gloaming" mainly because I am an avid fan of the brilliant young actor Robert Sean Leonard. However, I was happily surprised to see a film that not only highlights Mr. Leonard's acting talents at their finest, but also a film that was a touching and brutally real look at an imperfect family and their struggles to cope with having to be around one another while crisis and tragedy tear their family apart. I believe this film is a must-see for anyone who has ever been a part of a family that has been tormented by the demons of its members.

A son spends his last months at home while dying of AIDS. In doing so, he helps his family come to terms with his life, and brings his parents to an understanding of the unsaid things that caused them to drift apart over the years. This short movie expresses the deep and gentle love that tragedy reveals to those who live dutiful, busy lives.

Glenn Close played her role with a master's delicacy. Christopher Reeve used the beauty of sky, trees, and grounds surrounding the house where he filmed "In The Gloaming" with affecting skill. All of the cast and crew worked together to create a perfect small film.

I saw this film when it first aired on HBO and came across it recently on Logo. Logo added 28 minutes of commercials to make a 90-minute film, and what a slog those were to sit through.

So I went to Amazon to buy it, only to find out it wouldn't be available on DVD until last July, then September, and now November.

So this review is written a long time after seeing the whole thing.

Enough griping. This film is superb, though I speak with a bias toward sad movies. Christopher Reeve's direction is marvelous. He gets perfect performances from Robert Sean Leonard and Glenn Close as the son and mother. David Strathaim as the father is very good. Whoopi is good, but I thought her "love him" speech sounded forced.

The film's emotional impact is huge. There are three very sad moments: when Glenn Close sings "Danny Boy," when Danny dies, and when the mother and father embrace at the end. For me, Danny's death was the least sad of the three. Glenn Close's singing of "Danny Boy" is beyond perfect ... the way she can't sing the last word ... it rips me apart.

The scenery is so gorgeous. The pullback from the house at the end is very well done. The final credits are great with the song sung by Reeve's wife -- another teary moment -- except Logo ruined them.

Reeve was a great director.

(2014) I was going to post a review of the film, only to find I already had. I upped the rating from 9 to 10 stars. I just checked Amazon. It's still not available on DVD, only VHS. I don't get it.