Movie Review: Lymelife (2008)

Lymelife is a story about "the American Dream" and how a quiet, well-to-do suburban family is not all the it appears. The story centers around Scott, the younger son in the Barlett family. There is a sort of youthful ignorance in his character that is both somehow endearing and embarrassing. He misunderstands the family situation many times over. His ignorance is highlighted by his older bother, Jimmy, who in contrast to Scott, understands the complicity/duplicity of the relation between husband and wife. In a subplot, Scott has been in love with Adriana, a neighbor's daughter, since was like 8 years old. His struggles to understand her and how she feels about him in return are humorous. Like his ignorance about his family's situation, Scott also does not know how to interact/get with Adriana.

This movie is darkly humorous filled with clever subtlty. The characters surrounding Scott all know what's going on and make sly remarks throughout the movie. The scenes are filled with knowing looks over little Scott's head (even though he in high school and should understand relations better by now). The tension between the older brother (who has his mother's heart, who would not willingly fight out in the open) and the dad I found fascinating, with tension vibrating between them and unspoken words filling the air. The acting was superb on all the characters' parts. Alec Baldwin, who plays the dad, was not actually the funny character, but he was so well rounded and wonderful. The Culkin brothers were also stupendous. 

The only thing that made me want to stop watching, was Scott (Rory Culkin) constantly embarrassing himself unintentionally. It was cringe worthy, how unknowing he was. We all feel it too as an audience, because we don't really know what's going on either. At least he shows a mature grace when admitting he is wrong. I guess this is realistic, as all teenagers are stupid and ignorant about at least one aspect of life. Also, this movie was made with only 1.5 mil and in about a month, which is really impressive. 

Rating: 4/5

- L E E N A

Movie Review: Phoebe in Wonderland (2008)

Phoebe in Wonderland showcases a  9 year old girl (portrayed by Elle Fanning) who seems to always get into trouble. When her school drama teacher decides to put on a play of Alice in Wonderland, Phoebe begins to imagine the characters giving her advice. 

I should point out that I love the Fanning sisters, who are both such dedicated and lovely and down-to-earth young actresses. In this movie, Elle Fanning plays an outcast, a girl who gets teased in school, and who can't seem to control what she says or does. She doesn't meet to create havoc (In the movie, she says she can feel herself "wrecking and ruining" everything but she can't seem to stop). Her younger sibling, Olivia, seems to be far beyond her years (much like the actress playing her, Bailee Madison). She is frustrated with her older sibling and knows that Phoebe can't control it. She often acts as the older sibling, humoring Phoebe's obsessive and irrational behavior while explaining to others that she can't control it.

I absolutely loved this movie. I cannot praise Felicity Huffman (who plays the mother) and Elle Fanning enough. They were committed to their roles, as emotional and gutwrenching as they were. Bailee Madison is a great supporting young actress as well, who portrays a young girl that has to grow up too fast because of her sister's behavior. I would write more, but I don't want to give away the ending. This is a drama, but also a sort of a mystery because you don't find out why she acts the way she does until towards the end.

Rating: 5/5

(I also loved Hounddog starring Dakota Fanning, who portrayed a young girl who is dealing with an extremely emotional drama).

- L E E N A