Shooting Livien (2005)

just watch it!

The performances transcend the film's tropes, grounding it in characters that feel more complete than this subgenre often produces.

The film makes a home in your brain and the only cure is to see it again.

I think this is a new genre that they're all sort of working their way through it and haven't got all the kinks worked out yet but it's a genre that works for me.

A great opportunity for and Indy director to make an interesting film about a rock musician on the brink of stardom. It could have been a decent film if it would have dealt with John Livien's traumatic past and how it is torturing his psyche. Instead, it is a ridiculous attempt to identify John Livien's life with John Lennon's. John Livien's suicida mother's hero was John Lennon and she wished for him to become as powerful and prolific as Lennon himself. Instead of focusing on John Lennon's musical brilliance, and his wonderful ability to bare himself for others to learn something about their own life, it showed Lennon's legacy to be that of a confused, drug addicted soul, who should looked upon as a God instead a man. I am a huge John Lennon fan and this movie reminded me of another "crazy" person obsessed with Lennon, Lennon's killer , Mark David Chapman. Lennon was a man who was brutally murdered by someone else who had an identity crisis with Lennon. Do we need to be reminded of that? John Lennon gave so much to the world with his music and honesty and I was repulsed to see another disturbed person, as the main character in this movie obsessed by Lennon, and not show his beautiful contributions to the world. Yoko Ono graciously honored John Lennon's memory,by making the memorial in Central Park to give his fans a chance to pay their respects, and remember John. Instead the director of this movie chose to use that site to have the killer attempt to commit suicide. I found this so disturbing and disrespectful to Lennon's memory. He was a man of peace who died a brutal senseless death, and to see such violence near this site felt like a revisiting a terrible wound for any Lennon fan. It ruined the movie completely for me . It could have been a decent movie, but it left me with a bitter taste in my mouth. Let John Lennon, and his family rest in peace and not be reminded of his vicious murder by this irresponsible movie.

I bought my DVD because i like Jason Behr and want to follow his career. I read the previous comment and found it interesting so...after seeing it...this is mine: It's a different movie. You must stay tuned from the first second until the last one so you don't miss any important fact.You'll also enjoy it if you're the kind of person that likes very different movies, the type that you have to get into the character mind and try to think like him. If you're looking for a romantic, normal, and relaxing movie; this is not the one. It's a complete different plot, far away form Roswell or Dawson's Creek, you will see a very grown up J.B. in a very different roll...so don't be mistaken if you're hopping to see anything like that.My advise to you?, see it and get your own conclusions...but don't miss it.

I just got "Shooting Livian" in the mail, & it was every bit as good, if not better than, I expected. While everyone did a truly professional job, I have to credit Dominic Monaghan for the most colorful, believable performance, though I am bias ; ) I don't know, you just got the feeling he wasn't even acting, he was just being his usual self. He seemed easy and natural. I can really see him as Owen in another life. Loved the Lennon accents. It was little touches like that, the glasses,and the "Peace Bed", that helped make the show for me. The father was sympathetic, I liked the drummer, girlfriend, etc. Lovely soundtrack. The only fly in the ointment was Ally Sheedy, which surprised me as she is such an experienced actress. I just felt she was "phoning in" her performance. I think she could have made more of an effort.Regardless, good ending. Hopeful, realistic, satisfying, without being saccharine.Over all, I greatly enjoyed it, give it a thumbs up, & am so glad I own it on DVD : )Peace, Juli"Living is easy with eyes closed." - John Lennon "Life is what happens when you're busy making other plans" -- John Lennon

I saw this movie in Philly on Saturday, April 16, and it was absolutely amazing. It was a very dark movie and it was unlike any other movie I have ever seen. I really liked the camera effects that the director used as well. It made it seem more like a documentary and it made you feel as if you were right there with the characters. The music was awesome too. I can't get the songs out of my head! :o) I loved that the actors were all actually playing their instruments. The whole cast was amazing (especially Jason). I'm going to Boston in September to see it again. I really hope a national distributor picks it up and that it comes out in theaters soon. It was so amazing, I can't wait for it to come out on DVD. It's my new favorite movie. It was so great...i absolutely LOVED it!