Film Review - Labor Day

Last night courtesy of the fine people at Gofobo, I was able to go check out the advanced screening of the new Kate Winslet, Josh Brolin film Labour Day.   This film was directed by Jason Reitman (Juno and Young Adult) and based on a book written by Joyce Maynard.   It is a sweet melodrama that looks at a long weekend in the life of the three main characters.    The stand out in this film....Gatlin Griffin as young Henry Wheeler,  he is brilliant!

The movie is sweet and has some gasp worthy moments but does not make it to the top of my list!   If there is not much else on or this comes on VOD...check it out!    The acting is well done, the story is odd and sweet but im not totally sold that its the kind of movie you want to run out and throw $40 bucks at in ticket and popcorn!  

this is a 3.5 out of 5 for me saved by good acting and some good cinematography.

Don't like spoilers.....then head off now, I will give you a second to take off:

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gone?  

The story is set in a sleep little town somewhere in the middle of America, it really doesn't matter.   The film is narrated by the main character Henry as an adult, looking back on the labor day long weekend that changed his life.   He tells the story of how is mother and father split and his mother fell deeper and deeper into a depression, he did what he could as a 13 year old boy to step in and fill that husband void all the while knowing he was not able to do it.

Reitman uses Henry as a way to see the world...and we truly see it the way a child would.   When the voice switches to adult we glean more vital info about why things are the way they are.  Adele (Henry's mother) has agoraphobic tendencies and on a particularly stressful trip out to the store, we are introduced to Frank (played by Josh Brolin).  

Frank is an escaped convict who convinces Adele to take him back to her home, with vague threats to her sons safety and this sets the tone for the next 4 days in their lives.   Frank alternates between stern, standoffish, helpful and loving.   He fixes things up around the house, teaches them to bake, and throws a ball with Henry.   As you would predict, love starved Adele, falls for Frank as he steps gracefully into that missing space in their family.

We hear whispered bits of conversation, see bits and pieces of remembrances and slowly put together the back stories of the three characters.    All leading us down the path to the natural conclusion of events and a sweet ending I had not expected (but probably should have).

I won't tell you what it is....just in case sweet melodramatic girly movies are your thing.   Again I did not dislike this movie in the least, in fact I actually really liked it...but its not a blockbuster!   I enjoyed it and I hope you will too, either now or later on VOD.

Let me know if you go and what you think!

T