Few
directors have had so much early success as Jason Reitman. From films like “Thank
You for Smoking”, “Juno”, and “Up in The Air” Reitman is no stranger to movies
people just plain enjoy. Maybe growing up the son of Ivan Reitman helped
nurture his love of film, and taught him to make all kinds of movies, not to
just hold out on projects trying to chase a “Ghostbusters” kind of success. Well
it seems Jason has taken his dad’s advice and tried for something different,
and unfortunately that is not a good thing for us. “Labor Day” is no longer just a holiday known
for barbecues, now it is the name of a movie that is like a bad hangover, the
condition not the movie.
Adele (Kate Winslet) is not a very happy woman. Her
husband Gerald (Clark Gregg) has left her and their son Henry (Gattlin
Griffith) for his secretary. Adele can
no longer face the world for certain reasons, so Henry often runs life’s errands
on his bike, except for that one time a month Adele ventures out into the
world. It is on one such venture when their life changes and Henry is
approached by a wounded man named Frank (Josh Brolin) who asks for a ride. Not
having much choice Adele takes Frank back to her house, fearing for her and
Henry’s life. Little did Adele know, but Frank didn't want to hurt anyone, all he really wanted to do is fix things around the house, teach her son how to
play baseball, and teach them both how to make a pie to die for. Adele has been
a shut in for so long having company is a good thing, even if the guy you have
at your house is an escape prisoner. For one holiday weekend, Frank becomes the
man that Adele needs, and the father that Hank deserves.
As is sat and watched “Labor Day” I didn't really know
what to think of it. I mean on paper it has it all, good actors, and written
and directed by a guy who is on a roll. The problem is one of balance, when you
want to laugh at parts that should be dramatic, but just comes off wrong. The
film takes place over the Labor Day weekend, and also uses flash backs to set
up why exactly Frank is in prison. If
you are a fan of talking, this is not your kind of movie; I would call it the
strong and quiet type, minus the strong. Everyone talks in short sentences and
communicates via looks more than actual words, which doesn't work even with the
voice over narration provided by Spider-man, I mean Tobey Maguire. Even that comes off more “Wonder Years” and
less “Shawshank Redemption”. I wanted to
get caught up in the romance of the story, but got distracted by its
clumsiness. So I have to say this one
has to go in the ‘bomb’ column for Reitman much like his dad’s film “Father’s
Day”. Don’t remember that one? That’s okay, you won’t remember this one
either.
Brian Taylor
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