the fresh films reviews

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United States of Leland (2003)

Director:
Matthew Ryan Hoge
COUNTRY
USA
GENRE
Drama
NORWEGIAN TITLE
United States of Leland
RUNNING TIME
108 minutes
Producer:
Bernie Morris
Jonah Smith
Kevin Spacey
Palmer West
Screenwriter:
Matthew Ryan Hoge


Cast includes:

CHARACTER ACTOR/ACTRESS RATING
Pearl Madison Don Cheadle ½
Leland P. Fitzgerald Ryan Gosling
Allen Harris Chris Klein ½
Becky Pollard Jena Malone ½
Marybeth Fitzgerald Lena Olin ½
Albert T. Fitzgerald Kevin Spacey ½
Julie Pollard Michelle Williams ½
Harry Pollard Martin Donovan
Karen Pollard Ann Magnusson
Ayesha Kerry Washington
Mrs. Calderon Sherilyn Fenn

 

Review

In the last few years, it seems that Kevin Spacey's only concern when reading scripts and choosing roles has been the message of the movie. Fair enough, but with United States of Leland, it really becomes overkill. Written and directed by second-timer Matthew Ryan Hoge, this is a film that wants so badly to make a point that it buries itself in pseudo-philosophical renderings on life in general and our modern day world in particular. It actually never is close to be working, as Hoge elevates his protagonist to 'Messiahistic' proportions and builds up to a grand disclosure of the mind of Leland P. Fitzgerald. Unfortunately, there isn't much to retract here, other than jabber and prattle. None of the characters are one-dimensional or uninteresting, but Hoge fatally overestimates the importance of the events that he portrays around them. As if he doesn't acknowledge the fact that his audience knows what life is about. It's offending at its worst, and unexceptional at its best.

Copyright © 27.7.2005 Fredrik Gunerius Fevang [HAVE YOUR SAY]