Product Details

• Actors: David Strathairn, Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio, Vanessa Martinez, Hermínio Ramos, Kris Kristofferson
• Directors: John Sayles
• Writers: John Sayles
• Producers: Maggie Renzi, Sarah Connors
• Format: NTSC
• Language: German (Dolby Digital 5.1), English (Dolby Digital 5.1)
• Subtitles: English, German, Hindi, Swedish, Turkish, Danish, Hungarian, Polish, Icelandic, Dutch, Finnish, Czech, Greek
• Region: Region 2 (Read more about DVD formats.)
• Number of discs: 1
• Rated: R (Restricted)
• Run Time: 126 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (95 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B00004TLAP
• For more information about "Limbo" visit the Internet Movie Database (IMDb)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

There are three unforgettable characters in John Sayles's contemporary adventure-drama set in Alaska. They are never seen but live only in a frontier diary found by teenager Noelle De Angelo (Vanessa Martinez). The life of the diary's narrator is much like everything in this movie: hanging in limbo. The first half of the film focuses on why men and woman turn to Alaska, a land still ripe with opportunity. A small town is at a crossroads, with its pulp mill and canning factory closed and new investors seeing different directions in which to take the area (one even boasts the state is the ultimate theme park). A local (Sayles regular David Strathairn) is just escaping his past, taking up commercial fishing again. He attracts a traveling nightclub singer (Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio in her best role in years) who struggles daily with her daughter Noelle. Like any good theme park, Limbo presents the threesome with an unexpected adventure. In the wilderness, the three relative strangers learn more about themselves than was ever possible in town. Sayles's usual craftsmanship creates a singular blend of drama and suspense with an ending designed to ruffle feathers. Not as accessible as his breakthrough hit Lone Star, Limbo is nevertheless a hearty film from one of America's best storytellers. --Doug Thomas

From The New Yorker

John Sayles's latest, and was there ever a case of so much turning into so little? In Alaska, a gutsy road-tavern singer (Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio) and a stoic former fisherman with a dark secret (David Strathairn) get together and take off in a boat, accompanied by the singer's resentful teen-age daughter (Vanessa Martinez). Through no fault of their own, the trio get stranded on a deserted, rainy island way up north with nothing to do but wait for the cold and listen to Martinez read from a child's diary that she discovers in an abandoned cabin. Mastrantonio is wonderful-if properly framed and supported, her performance might have been a classic. But Sayles can't seem to pull the elements of narrative filmmaking together. He sets up all sorts of tensions-tourism versus native industry, the pride of loneliness versus the pull of family-and abandons them, leaving the audience in a frostbitten mood. The impressively bleak cinematography is by Haskell Wexler. -David Denby
Copyright © 2006 The New Yorker

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Ever heard of a satisfyingly ambiguous ending?, January 24, 2000

By 

R. Rosenkranz "Eno" (near Seattle, WA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Limbo [VHS] (VHS Tape)

I HATE untidy or ambiguous endings. Check that...I LOATHE untidy or ambiguous endings. Whenever I see an untidy/ambiguous ending, I think that either: 1) the writer/director didn't know how to end the movie, so figured he'd just stop filming somewhere along the way; or 2) that the writer/director is going for some deep meaningful ending that is supposed to make us think he/she is a "powerful" director willing to "take risks" to "make a statement".

Well, let's just say that I found the ending to Limbo to be one of the most satisfyingly ambiguous endings I've ever seen. The final shot says so much about where the characters have come from and how they've changed that it was really touching...despite not really learning what happens past the final shot.

This movie is like two movies in one, and the fact that it works is a huge credit to John Sayles. The first half of the movie involves the relationships between people who are basically down on their luck in Alaska. And if you think they are in limbo through the first half of the movie, wait until the sudden shift to the Alaskan wilderness for the second half of the movie.

Beautifully acted, written, directed and filmed. Great dialog and oustanding scenery. Definite 5 star movie all the way.

22 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Limbo is an unexpected delight!, May 24, 2000

By 

Deborah Carter "Deborah Carter" (MI USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Limbo [VHS] (VHS Tape)

"Limbo" is an excellent film. I have only seen one other film by Sayles, "Lone Star." I liked "Lone Star", but the ending of that film creeped me out. Otherwise I felt it was a good movie. So it was with some fear that I decided to see "Limbo."

I'm not sure what viewers who loved "Lone Star" would say about "Limbo." I really enjoyed "Limbo." The actors portrayed the characters well. David Strathairn plays the role of Joe Gastineau well. Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio is fantastic in the role of Donna De Angelo. The young woman who plays Noelle De Angelo, Vanessa Martinez, is incredible.

The movie is character-driven as opposed to plot/action-driven. Expect the style of filmmaking to be more Northern Exposure than ER. We really get to know the characters in this film either by default or through direct contact. The way in which the stories of the characters are woven together is intricate-evidenced by a scene in which several conversations at a bar are occurring at the same time.

The end of the movie, which I will not reveal, is somewhat unexpected and may make some viewers upset. Viewers should keep the title of the movie in mind while watching the film and the end will seem perfect.

One of my pet peeves in movie watching is seeing a film that has a terrible ending. Limbo has a perfect one. The last 30 or so minutes of the movie are the best in the film and need to be seen again. I give this movie two thumbs up and recommend it to those who enjoy seeing excellent acting!

18 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Journey Is The Story, August 1, 2000

By 

John Bowes (Oxford, MA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Limbo (DVD)

One might not like the ending, but damn... the trip was fascinating. Sayles has created a gem, shining thru the pale offerings that pass as adult drama in these days. Is it possible that a young actress reading from a diary can be so fascinating? Is it possible that an actress singing can make you run out and buy a soundtrack? Is it possible not to recognize Bruce? Is it possible that Sayles manages time and again to draw stellar performances from actors and actresses who seem to be under utilized in an industry focused on the next pretty face? Yes to all. Do yourself a favor, spend some time in Limbo.