Product Details

• Actors: Diane Lane, Donald Sutherland
• Format: Widescreen
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• ASIN: B001MPWU4G
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #183,633 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

DVD-Taking F. Scott Fitzgerald's adage "The very rich are different from you and me" as his guide, actor-director Griffin Dunne (Practical Magic) paints a poisonous portrait of privilege. When coke-addicted masseuse Liz Earl (Diane Lane) hits rock bottom, she calls in a favor with an affluent client. In exchange for her services, Ogden Osborne (Donald Sutherland in a sly performance) welcomes Liz and her 16-year-old son, Finn (Anton Yelchin), to his East Coast estate. Liz stops drinking and drugging, while Finn bonds with Ogden's grandchildren, Bryce (Chris Evans) and Maya (Kristen Stewart). Though his mother starts dating Ogden's physician, Finn remains convinced her services extend beyond the therapeutic. Nonetheless, he grows fond of the sensitive, if controlling billionaire. Finn's own father, an anthropologist, deserted him years ago to study the Ishkanani, i.e. "the fierce people," of South America. When Finn is attacked by a masked figure, his warm feelings towards the Osbornes turn cold. At this point, the film takes a disappointingly conventional turn as Finn tries to determine who abused him--and to initiate some payback. If the basic premise never quite rings true, the director, son of bestselling author Dominick Dunne, carries on family tradition in trying to understand what makes people like Ogden tick (Dirk Wittenborn adapted the screenplay from his novel). Dunne's sympathies may lie with Liz and Finn, but obvious advantages aside, Ogden runs away with the show. He may indeed be "different," but he's also the most fully rounded character in the entire muddled exercise

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Interesting story and characters, July 19, 2010

By 

Jaded (USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Fierce People : Widescreen Edition (DVD)

This movie struck me from the first time I saw it, as being a cut above. The actors are beautiful to watch, the scenery as well is lush and mesmerizing. I liked the story of the not so well off mother and son spending the summer with the fabulously wealthy on a 10 square mile estate, and the twists and turns keep you guessing. There is a rape scene, which is painful to watch, as are all rape scenes, however it is not distasteful or too graphic. Also, any movie where Billie Holiday is mentioned has a special place in my heart. A little coming of age, a little look into the divide between the rich and poor which blurs but is still there in personal and intimate relationships, entertaining, harsh, and real.