Loggerheads

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.

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 loved this movie. The cinematography, direction, and acting are fantastic. The NC shoot is exquisite (particularly the scenes at the beach). Using three different story lines that ultimately converge is a great way of drawing the viewer into the story and making it much more intimate and meaningful. There is a certain level of shock at how antiquated adoption laws and mores have been (and still are).

The ending is uplifting without being a "Hollywood" saccharin sellout. The bittersweetness of the closure is a wonderful way of reminding one that we can always do a better job of being human to each other - even when we don't understand each other.

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.

Three stories start in this film-- 40ish Grace (Bonnie Hunt) is living with her mother (Michael Learned) but can't forget the baby she was forced to give up for adoption when she was 17; Mark (Kip Pardue) is a young man obsessed with saving loggerhead turtles--he falls for sweet, gentle George (Michael Kelly); a minister's wife (Tess Harper) misses her son who abandoned her because of her husband's (Chris Sarandon) religion.

These three stories are all absorbing with excellent acting--just look at that cast! They all slowly come together at the end and leads to a very moving and truthful conclusion.

This is a character study but a very good one. It was a little too quiet for me (that's why I'm only giving it a 9) but I was never bored. Also it was shot on location in North Carolina which helps a lot. There's some stunning, absolutely beautiful cinematography here (one sequence toward the end with Hunt and Harper took my breath away). This is not for everybody but it is quiet, intelligent, beautiful and very moving motion picture. Recommended.