Customer Reviews

Georgia [VHS]

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

What a beautiful family drama this film was! Not only did director Ulu Grosbard give us this story about two sisters and the struggles between them, but also he gave it to us (with the help of writer Barbara Turner) with a surprising twist that you do not see in everyday cinema. Here is a story that is brutally honest and exceptionally real to anyone involved. On the top layer you have a sister trying to compete with the popularity of the other, on another layer you have a troubled spirit controlled by substance abuse, and yet on another layer (and they keep going), you have this sister which isn't a good singer more passionate about the craft than the one that has an ever growing fan base. Wow. With this much structure and substance, you may think that it could get wrapped around itself relatively easy and eventually loose the potential that it has. Well, if you were thinking that ... you would be wrong. Georgia is able to keep us guessing and wanting more from each passing frame. From the tight character work by Jennifer Jason Leigh and Mare Winningham to the powerfully emotional story of sisterhood, this movie will keep you enthralled until the final scene, which will literally knock you off your seat.

I must applaud Jennifer Jason Leigh because I have never been as impressed with her performance as I was as her turn as Sadie Flood. From her passionate portrayal of Sadie to the ability to capture every word with crisp emotion and distinction, Leigh takes every scene and makes it her last. She is brilliant and honest at the same time. She gives so much to the camera and to the role that you move away from that feeling of watching a movie and handed that sensation of being allowed into someone's private life. This feeling could be because the events that happened on screen were "real" to those involved due to the semi-biographical story penned by Barbara Turner. This was also filmed during a time when Miramax was actually making thought-provoking films that featured nobodies giving us performances of a lifetime. While Leigh had worked before, the other breakout of this film was the title character, Georgia. While screen-time with her was considerably shorter than Leigh, it was her strong bond with Sadie that allowed Mare Winningham to even be nominated for an Oscar in 1996. While I to believe that she did deserve it, apparently the Oscar ballots felt that Mira Sorvino was better. Can you hear me shudder? I can honestly say that the reason that this film was such a powerful film about music and family was due greatly to these two anchor actresses giving us more than 100% and pulling at the strings of our hearts. We all know what it is like to have a family member succeed faster than another, and it is difficult. It is also perfectly portrayed by Leigh and Winningham.

Outside of the acting, if you can really keep your eyes on anything else, to fully submerge yourself in this film, you have to listen to the music. While others will argue that it is nothing more than just a secondary ploy to demonstrate the unequal balance between the sisters. I really thought that the songs were what connected these two. There was some equality between them. As I watched this film, and listened to the music, I couldn't help but think that perhaps these two women were one in the same. Think about it. Here you have one, Leigh, who cannot sing, but leads the clichéd singer lifestyle. She is very nomadic, very experimental, and extremely passionate about the craft. While she may not be able to sing exceptionally well, she does harbor this passion that seems to be lacking from the other sister, Winningham. While, on Winningham's side, she has this voice that will pack auditoriums, though she lives a very quaint life with a family and a house. It always felt that Winningham's gift was a burden to her, and she would have rather had the simple life and handed it all over to Leigh ... but she doesn't. That passion to perform is relevant in both sisters, which made me feel we were watching the same person just cut in half.

The only negative aspect that I felt hurt this film from reaching perfection was the timing. The script was great, phenomenal actually, but there were just moments when I felt that either the direction or the timing was off. The entire plane scene (which was my second favorite of the film) was brilliant, yet a bit far fetched for my belief. It was great to see Leigh completely break down in order to get to her sister, but the zaniness of it all was a bit overwhelming. Also, I needed some pre-information if possible. We had one scene of the sisters when they were young that could have been expanded just a bit. It would have been interesting to see when the two broke off and what really forced the two to choose the lifestyle that surrounded them. The concept of Sadie riding on Georgia's coattails was relevant throughout the entire film, but more could have been expanded on it. It wasn't until closer to the end when I completely realized what was happening in the beginning of the film. Just some small housekeeping would have propelled this film into "favorite" land.

Overall, I was shocked and delighted with this film. The final scene of this film, which shows the repetitive nature of life, continues to roll around in my mind. Leigh's performance was exceptionally raw and showcased her true talent. The secondary characters in this film could have been a bit tighter (Axel was very flimsy because I wanted to know him better), but it didn't seem to destroy this picture at all.

Grade: **** out of *****

This is a movie for introspective people. It's heartbreaking to watch JJ Leigh's Sadie manufacturing so much hope in believing in herself and her singing. I identify more with Georgia's character because she has more or less the approval from the society. At times I felt embarrassed for Sadie with her tryings and failures. While 'normal folks' see Sadie as a talentless junkie, you have to give Sadie points for trying. Music is a form of self-expression and is very subjective. Nobody has the right to crush a musician's dream. Both actresses gave nuanced performance. Although JJ Leigh's got the flashier Sadie. Without Winningham's emotionally guarded Georgia, there's no contrast to Sadie's desperate plight. The song "No More Hard Times" was so poignant to the story. It broke my heart at the end of the film to see two sisters singing the same song at different settings. You know both women had achieved an understanding for each other's path in life. This movie is for all the underdogs who'd been under the shadow of a seemingly more successful sibling or partner.

This is a tale about a successful singer and her sister living on her coat tails as a untalented singer, addict, and polar opposite. It's clean living success versus struggles and failures. As an author of a book dealing with dysfunction and addiction, I enjoyed this move. The movie is set up to root for the underdog, but the more you want her to make it or to crash and burn (even die), the more she stays the same in her situation. Basically, you can't teach a dog new tricks. Excellant acting by Jennifer Jason Leigh as the overly masscaraed, eye-lined Sadie. At times she looks like she has two black eyes, because in reality she has been beaten (not physically, but beaten in life). I kept waiting for her to be beautiful, but JJL does a great job being unattractive. Why did I prefer her to the Georgia character? Must be a character flaw of mine. I rooted like heck for her and chances are would have seen one of her band's shows instead of Georgia's. John Doe (from the band X) also does a great job acting in this one. Memorable scene was when a messed up on Nyquil Sadie is carried up the stares by Bobby (Doe) and taken care of. "Shut up Sadie," he says repeatedly and then dumps her in the tub. Interesting flick, not a five because Sadie didn't succeed or die.

Georgia is an examination of two sisters who obviously love each other very much, in spite of the fact that one is a talentless junkie and the other a successful musician and mother.

Georgia and Sadie need each other for some very strange, real reasons, and it takes a long while to understand why.

Winningham and Leigh both put on great performances in this film, but the supporting cast also does a great job, especially Georgia's husband and the leader of Sadie's band.

The soundtrack for this movie is also fantastic. It was all recorded live for the film and ranges from blues to rock to country.

This is a very brave film indeed because it tackles a theme that is horribly familiar, and yet not often discussed.

The theme is failure, and the reason for that failure is the most horrifying one of all - no talent.

Better by far to fail through bad luck, or being cheated, or simple bad timing!

But it's failure that's the horrible reality faced by Sadie (Jennifer Jason Leigh), one of life's triers who simply hasn't got enough talent to make it as even a semi-pro singer, let alone the big star that is her elder sister Georgia (Mare Winningham).

Now seeing someone untalented refuse to face that reality (even though they are aware of it) and sink into a mire of drugs and even more delusions isn't the most cheerful evening you'll ever have. But the film is redeemed by some rather lovely music, and some great, really great acting by Jason Lee.

Winningham sings beautifully and plays her part with a slightly aloof sympathy that is utterly convincing for someone who is a major star, relatively grounded, but who left the grubby realities of "normal" life behind her many years before.

But the film really belongs to Jason Leigh - an amazingly sustained piece of acting achieves that seemless quality when you forget you're watching acting at all - Sadie becomes as real as one of your troubled friends at high school, with the same mixture of charm and irritation.

Georgia isn't perfect by a long way. The script has excellent dialogue but a meandering, rather lost sort of plot. Like many films of the 90s, it's half an hour too long. The supporting cast are excellent, but don't have too much to do. Visually the scenes are competantly shot, but there are few great images that directors such as Kuburick produce at will.

But Georgia remains as brave a film as it's heroine - no trite ending here, no homilies, no saving grace.

Thoughtful viewers are in for a treat.

Rarely will you see an actress commit herself so deeply to a role as Miss Leigh does in this film. She is a terrrific actress with a fine body of work, and is proof positive of mainstream Hollywood's lack of commitment to true art. John C. Reilly is dead-on, and John Doe is perfect. In addition to terrific perfomances, you also get some great music. Lots of Velvet Underground stuff as performed by Doe with Leigh singing backup, Leigh sings "Almost Blue" very touchingly, and a great rendition of Van Morrison's "Take Me Back". This is a magnificient film (a bit trite in the plot, sure) that lends itself to repeat viewing.

This is one of my favorite movies.

Sadie Flood wants fame and, just as important, approval by her older sister, Georgia. Sadie has the need for attention that I sense will never be satisfied. Georgia seemingly has natural talent whereas Sadie has to scrap for crumbs in her own very self-destructive way.

It's almost schaudenfraude watching Sadie in this movie. It's a strange feeling, as this is a fictional character. However, the movie brings all of the characters alive in such a way that they may as well be living next door - they're that real.

Firsly this film is def worth buying. The music is really gritty and haunting. Also have the soundtrack JJL has a great voice. The way Sadie is always on the edge and Geogia is very balanced is very interesting. Plus Jennifer Mum (Barabara Turner) wrote and produced with Jennnifer. It is also about what it was like growing up in Jennifer life. Her sister(Carrie Morrow) was the one with the drug problems. Jennifer was the balanced one.The stage shows also are first class. At the beginning Sadie(JJL) goes to see her sister at a concert and she is crying because the music is so balanced, also she is very pround of her sister. DEF ONE TO BUY. kevin

I keep trying to write reviews about this movie, and they either get lost, or I get interrupted. But I'm determined to add my 2 cents about this great movie because I feel so strongly about Jennifer Jason Leighs miraculous performance. She is touched by God (or Satan), because she so totally immerses herself into her role as "Sadie", that there is not a hint of "acting." She so perfectly captures those downed-out girls I saw in punk clubs in the '70's & '80's (where are THEY now??), and her slide down the gutter of addiction is so real, you may find yourself trying to wipe the droul off your t.v. screen. Sadie's pathetic attempts to "be somebody", in light of her sister, "Georgia", who not only has "respectable" fame, but, a seemingly stable family..etc, is heartbreaking to behold. The nuances of her portrayal are newly un-covereed at each viewing, leaving you just shaking your head in amazement at her performance. I'm surprised some viewers found her interpretation "mannered", to put it kindly. Because I recognized her mannerisms, her sad creation of a "Sadie" to hide the real hurt inside,as traits I have seen in many troubled people I have known. Hey, you either get it, or you don't. I have always admired Ms. Leighs work, always thought she was an exceptional actress, but this role just "blew me away", for want of a better phrase. I don't want to take anything away from all the other actors, stars, superstars, commercial draws, etc..., out there in "La-La Land", but this girl is SO much more of an artist, wonder, PRESENCE, that 99% of the others should just forget it. She makes you realize what true talent is, not just a bunch of hype.I almost feel bad about going on about her, because this movie also has one of my all-time favorite actresses,the incredibly gifted Mare Winningham.Her "Georgia" is a very subtle, perfect contrast, to J.J.Leighs "Sadie."I've always hoped Oliver Stone would make a film of another one of the handful of people who had true, God-given talent, Janis Joplin, and that Mare Winningham would star. She would be perfect. If you can ever get your hands on her early work "Off The Minnesota Strip"(?), do so, as it is a precursor of J.J.Leighs role as Sadie.She is miraculous in it. The supporting players are all very good also in Georgia, especially John Doe, of "X" fame. (One of the best bands EVER!!)They all contribute to make a film which will take you on an emotional ride, no...it's not "happy", but, it's worth the trip.You will be in awe at the wonder of the living, breathing, "Sadie."

this movie is so good that i am unable to pick the exact words to describe it. jennifer jason leigh is awesome. her acting ability shows the audience time and time again what a wonder she is, yet she is always ignored by the academy. i've seen this movie many, many times and never tire of it. watch it, you'll love it too.