Lymelife

LYMELIFE kinda intrigued me for years because of the cast and the subject but was afraid that I would have hated it because it's considered a bit obscure. Yet when I saw it last September I found it ok, nothing more.

When it begins we see Scott Bartlett (Rory Culkin) walking in the woods and risks to be shot by Charlie Bragg (Timothy Hutton) that was about to shoot a deer, and after a while Scott becomes involved with Charlie's daughter Adrianna (Emma Roberts). In the meanwhile there is an outbreak of the lyme disease that scares the town and when Charlie is diagnosed with the disease is unable to work and has to spend days doing nothing while his wife thinks he is at work and becomes more friendly towards Scott. In the meanwhile Mickey Bartlett (Alec Baldwin) will start to have something for Charlie's wife, but he will discover his mistake a bit too late...

I liked the performances. Rory Culkin and Emma Roberts gave very believable performances, and Timothy Hutton was good as the husband who has to avenge his wife's betrayal while dealing with his illness, and in the end he succedds. Alec Baldwin was good as always, even tho I disliked what he did towards Hutton's wife.

If there weren't too much embarassing situations the movie would have earned a higher score but, as it is, it's ok but nothing more.

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.

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.

This is an extremely high caliber movie whose only flaw is improperly dated and unhistorical references to the Falkland War. The performances are superb by each and every cast member and by the ensemble as a whole. It is astonishing that such a film could be made in less than a month and for $ 1 1/2 million dollars. That being said, the quick production time and low budget should not keep anyone from seeing this very important film. It is not just about the 70's but about basic human relationships and characters and truths. The director and cast should all be proud of this fine accomplishment. I urge everyone who loves movies to see this one.

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