Loggerheads

This isn't a tidy little movie with a predictable end, predictable characters nor script— rather this is a compelling, profoundly moving film refreshing in how delicate it is. The performances are nuanced and the dialogue and story lines have a verisimilitude that left me feeling touched by the characters. They felt "real." That is rare in any film— that quality where you stop watching actors and start watching characters and feel their pain, hopes, dreams. I only saw this movie by accident as my boyfriend and I got to the theater to see another film which happened to be sold out and seats were available for this film. Lucky for me.

I caught this film at RiverRun Film Festival in NC. I enjoyed Kirkman's earlier film, "Dear Jesse," and I was amazed at how his filmaking had matured in such a short time. This is one gorgeous film, and it was well received at RiverRun. I love Kirkman's writing, and I was impressed with how he balanced the complexity of the three story lines. He could have dumbed down the script to spoon feed information to the audience, but instead he chose to use sound and dialogue to reveal the time line of the three story lines to the audience.

The cinematography was well done and showed the beauty of Asheville and the Carolina coastline. The performances by Kip Pardue, Bonnie Hunt, and Tess Harper were excellent. Most of the reviews I've read have emphasized Hunt, perhaps because of her name recognition and the fact that this is a first dramatic role for her, but Tess Harper's performance was equally riveting, and I hope she gets more attention for it.

This is a rare film, one which moved me tremendously, but whose greatest power I felt as the haunting music of Mark Geary played over the end titles. Though I'd been a bit teary as several of the characters finally met at the film's conclusion, it was after the curtain went down, so to speak, that I really found myself crying as the impact of what I'd seen sank in. As another reviewer stated, this film shows how far the "gay movie" has come in just over a decade. The sophistication and complexity of the story, the depth of the performances, and the artistry of the writing/directing make Loggerheads a truly outstanding film. One comment: let's stop saying that an actor like Kip Pardue is "brave" for playing a gay part. He's an actor, and a good one at that, who chooses a part for what it offers him as an artist, and more power to him for that. The truly brave actor is an openly gay one who plays a gay role without concern that this will prevent him from playing straight parts in the future. No matter how many times Kip plays gay, assuming he is straight, he will have no trouble being cast in a straight role, not in 2005.

First - let me say that I am not associated with the movie in any way and I paid $10.75 to see it. (I was reading the other comments and the only negative one I saw decided that all the other glowing comments were shills.)

I loved the way the stories intertwined. The acting was superb. Tess Harper and Bonnie Hunt were particular favorites for me. Like others have mentioned, I was very impressed by Ms. Hunt's dramatic work in this movie and hope she'll get to do more of it. The movie was quiet and thoughtful. Some might think it was slow, but I didn't feel that way. I was totally involved with the story and interested in the characters every step of the way.

A really wonderful film.

I thought 'Loggerheads' was wonderful. I saw it at the River Run Film Festival in Winston Salem, NC. The director/writer attended the screening as well. Afterward, he talked about the making of the film and it was very interesting. He indicated that the film may not be released nationwide. He seemed to think that it would play on the Sundance Channel and then be released to DVD. What a shame. It should be released nationally, in my opinion.

The actors were amazing and the story was so interesting. I loved the overlapping, intertwined stories. Bonnie Hunt was GREAT. She should do more dramatic work, because her performance was beautiful. The film itself was slow and deliberate in its pacing (kinda like the South) but it needed to be that way to develop the characters. I was riveted the whole time. Check it out, if you get a chance.

By the way--contrary to what one poster said, I know no one involved in the making of this film. I paid the ticket price and got more than my money's worth.