Official Movie Website Theatrical Release April 13. 2005 (New York) Home Video Not Available MPAA Rating Not Rated Running Time 1 hour 40 minutes Genre Drama, Black Comedy Directed by Todd Solondz Cast Ellen Barkin, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Richard Masur, Stephen Adly Guirgis, Debra Monk Studio Wellspring |
PALINDROMES
Written and directed by Todd Solondz, this quirky tale is a
puzzling bit of drama, at best. At worst it is an enigmatic
statement that misses its target so completely that the
majority of the audience is left wondering just what
happened. And maybe the truth is somewhere in
between. Aviva, the girl with the palindromic name, is an
awkward thirteen and she is obsessed with the desire to
have a baby. Her parents are normally troubled by this
turn in their daughter's demeanor and react quite as one
would expect. Nothing peculiar in their roles as Joyce and
Steve Victor (Ellen Barkin and Richard Masur), that's
saved for the face and shape of Aviva. Her role is
portrayed by seven actors, ranging from young Caucasian
girls to mature women of color. Go figure.
There's probably a message here, but it may lie so deep
that the majority of viewers won't take the time or trouble
to unearth it. Pedophiles, abortion, Christian foster
homes, sex without meaning and a host of other
uncomfortable topics are tossed out, but not sorted.
Some may feel uncomfortable, and some angry, but all
will at least feel something having met Aviva. Rift with
realism, this is not a story of beautiful people. A fable,
perhaps. A fairy tale, not really. This is one that you will
just have to experience for yourself, and what you glean
from it will be a very personal reaction. Just as Aviva
constantly changed, so does the interpretation from
person to person.
puzzling bit of drama, at best. At worst it is an enigmatic
statement that misses its target so completely that the
majority of the audience is left wondering just what
happened. And maybe the truth is somewhere in
between. Aviva, the girl with the palindromic name, is an
awkward thirteen and she is obsessed with the desire to
have a baby. Her parents are normally troubled by this
turn in their daughter's demeanor and react quite as one
would expect. Nothing peculiar in their roles as Joyce and
Steve Victor (Ellen Barkin and Richard Masur), that's
saved for the face and shape of Aviva. Her role is
portrayed by seven actors, ranging from young Caucasian
girls to mature women of color. Go figure.
There's probably a message here, but it may lie so deep
that the majority of viewers won't take the time or trouble
to unearth it. Pedophiles, abortion, Christian foster
homes, sex without meaning and a host of other
uncomfortable topics are tossed out, but not sorted.
Some may feel uncomfortable, and some angry, but all
will at least feel something having met Aviva. Rift with
realism, this is not a story of beautiful people. A fable,
perhaps. A fairy tale, not really. This is one that you will
just have to experience for yourself, and what you glean
from it will be a very personal reaction. Just as Aviva
constantly changed, so does the interpretation from
person to person.
Mary
Brenda
© 2003 St. Louis Movie Review Weekly. All rights reserved, except where indicated.
All movie titles, pictures, etc...are the property of their respective studios.
All movie titles, pictures, etc...are the property of their respective studios.
| ST. LOUIS MOVIE REVIEW WEEKLY Brenda S. Ladd & Mary K. Morgan |
