Lonesome Jim (2005)

Truly Dreadful Film

Masterful Movie

Just so...so bad

This is one of the few movies I've ever seen where the whole audience broke into spontaneous, loud applause a third of the way in.

I can personally relate to the main character. He was non-aggressive, liked to write, and didn't have a clue where he could fit into society. Such guys DO exist.This one predictably flops in N.Y. and returns home to his hometown, and his quirky literal "home" in the midwest.There he meets a girl.You may ask why someone as gorgeous as Liv Tyler,(her character), would hang out with such a loser. But she tells you in her own words. "I like to help people." That's why she is a nurse too. Beyond that, her character is not too bright, and she's a single mom, so she's got her own baggage. The best thing about this movie comes in letter form. The mom in the movie is portrayed as perpetually optimistic. Most modern films poke fun at this as pathetically naive. For most of this film, you think it is doing the same thing. But the main character writes a letter to his mom, when he thinks he is leaving town, and he tells her that in fact he admires her optimism, and considers it a sign of strength, and of character. I liked that. The movie doesn't really go anywhere, but that's o.k., because many people's lives don't go anywhere. It's a slice-of-life movie.I liked it, but I would not expect most people to enjoy it. Unless you really enjoy dark, small town underdog studies.At some point this young guy has to realize that it doesn't matter if you are depressed, you still have to find a way to make a living, and get on with life.I don't think it portrayed the Midwest as depressing, or his parents as losers. His dad is a successful entrepreneur, and his mom fills up a room with light, and good cheer. Those are winner characteristics. They live in a nice house. Their town looks clean and safe.Clearly what happened is that the boys inherited their mom's gentle, non-aggressive manner. That makes them ineffectual as men. She smothers them with sweetness, which may hinder them from tapping into the alpha energy that men need to succeed in a brutal world.Why was a nurse so poor? Nurses make a boatload of money. Probably because she wasn't an RN. She was probably either a CNA or LVN.

I am sitting here writing this review and the movie's not even over yet. In fact, I just checked, and there are 45 more minutes to go. But no matter, there's no need to see it through to the end. I'll just write this review and laugh as the film plays in the background and stumbles onward to some kind of presumably horrible conclusion which I don't care to ever see or know.What accounts for my hostility to this movie? The characters are not believable. The plot is not believable. The pretentiousness of the movie is sickening. Basically, every element of the movie rings false. Buscemi obviously thought he had something to add to the dozens of movies which have already explored the well-worn themes of dysfunctional families and the apparent meaninglessness of life. However, Buscemi was badly mistaken, because this movie contains nothing new. It tries very hard to be depressing, but fortunately no one can really be depressed by it, because it's obvious that no people like this exist in the entire world.What IS depressing however is the knowledge that somehow this film was voted several undeserved awards. Disgusting!!!! Bottom line: stay away from this worthless film at all costs.

Jim (Casey Affleck) is a failed writer near his 30's. He decided to go home to Indiana, because he was simply out of money and he was too ashamed to tell his caring parents (Mary Kay Place and Seymour Cassel). Jim ins't glad living back in his parents place, his older brother Tim (Kevin Corragan) is living there as well. Tim is a divorced man with two daughters (Rachel Strouse and Sarah Strouse), who's just as depressed as his younger brother but for different reasons. Which Tim occasionally coaches a basketball team for girls. When Tim tries to kill himself, Jim replaces his brother place from where he works. Especially since it's owned by his parents. Jim is been getting high, occasionally with his uncle (Mark Boone Junior). Which his uncle calls himself Evil. Jim starts an relationship with a kind, unusual nurse named Anika (Liv Tyler) and which she has a young son as well (Jack Rovello). Things turns upside down, when his mother is accused of selling drugs and as well for shipping drugs. Which of course, his uncle is responsible for the actions. Jim can't help his mother, since he open an account for his devious uncle. His uncle will point fingers if Jim doesn't rat him out. Now his parents business is closed for the moment. Now Anika tries to help Jim out of his depression. While Jim starts to fall in love with her and he cares for her son.Directed by Steve Buscemi (Animal Factory, Intreview, Trees Lounge) made an bittersweet dramatic comedy that many moments of truths and for those who had dreams that never came true. Which most people tried to live out their lives that is a always disappointment and tried to live day by day. Affleck offers an excellent performance as a young man living in despair, who tries to make things works for him. But he's surrounded by a good supporting cast. That their performances are memorable as well. This film has many moments of dark funny moments also.DVD has an good anamorphic Widescreen (1.78:1) transfer and an decent Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound. DVD has an amusing commentary track by the director and screenwriter:James C. Strouse (Grace is Gone). Which Strouse wrote the script loosely based on his life and the house in the film, Where Jim lives is actually the real life house of Strouse's parents. Even Strouse's family members have cameos and including his two nieces have bit parts in the movie. DVD has an promotional featurette with the cast & crew. This picture is probably too depressing for some tastes but it's a good well acted independent movie is that certainly worth a look on DVD and it will probably be a cult favorite on the IFC Channel. (****/*****).

Most characters in this film are somewhat neurotic and depressed, yet it is a highly funny comedy; you find yourself feeling for them, yet the film does not resort to sentimentality or clichés. Not everything gets right in the end, though a touch of optimism is present as well; it avoids every cliché about growing up, getting to love life etc. (How I love the basket-ball match scene, a hilarious subversion of the usual cliché.) It's much nicer than that : characterization is very subtle and supported by great performances from everyone. There is not much of a plot, but that's not a problem. So it's a subtle, depressed, hilarious film. Thumbs up for Steve Buscemi.