Customer Reviews

Limbo

5 star:		(45)
4 star:		(13)
3 star:		(9)
2 star:		(5)
1 star:		(23)

 

 

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.

"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!

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.

When I first saw Sayles film "Lone Star," it touched me on a level I couldn't even fully explain. When I saw Limbo I was amazed that he'd done it to me again! Limbo is painted with rich textures, sounds that haunt you and the earnest feeling that you actually know these people. I felt as if I was there with them, my life threatened and frightened. Who would have thought that a young girl reading from a diary would contain more raw power and intensity than a Schwarzenegger movie?--another masterpiece of filmmaking by a master director.

Attention reader: pay heed to what I say. LIMBO is, perhaps, one of the most well-done films of all time. It's a shame it was only in limited release, damn shame, because it's such a wonderful film. It encompasses every emotion one looks for in a movie, and the ending is not only unpredictable, but totally mind-blowing as well. Buy this film and cherish it always, because a movie this wonderful hardly ever comes along.

I wasn't too impressed the first time this film was "force fed" to me. I'm only human, what can I say. But now this is one of my all time favorite motion pictures. First of all, it satisfied a scant curiosity for me. Namely, what's Alaska like? That question was answered immediately by watching "Limbo." Alaska is one of the most mysterious and culturally rich states in the union. "Limbo" is an extremely rewarding excursion in character development: good acting and believable situations. It brings us a grand assortment of humanity: A duped lesbian couple, their curmudgeon of a landlord; wise native-Americans; an emotionally-starved folk singer (flawlessly acted by Mary Elizabeth Mastrontonio); a crooked bush pilot (wonderfully played by Kris Kristopherson; a saddened fisherman (David Strathairn's lowkey yet powerful performance) and a beautiful, frightened teenage girl (Vanessa Martinez's awe-inspiring debut). I'm only scratching the surface: the texture of this movie's !characters is rich and immeasurable. Like a salmon (Alaskan analogy) you get hooked and trawled in to this incredibly beautiful film.

The plot is simplistic yet intriguing: the singer becomes quickly attracted to the fisherman. Her daughter, a complex and lonely girl finds relief through self-mutilation and story-writing. This performance (perfectly executed by Vanessa Martinez) is the highlight of the film. Her deeply-imbedded sorrow will simply break your heart. I've never seen such an incredible performance by any actress in all my years of movie-watching. Her portrayal of the rebellious daughter Noelle is so rich and convincing that I'll never forgive the academy of motion picture arts and sciences for not giving her an Oscar nomination--It's THAT GOOD. Anyway the three of them ended up stranded on a deserted island after fleeing form murderous drug dealers. Simple yet not-so-simple. (Trust me, you'll see what I'm saying._

Now about the ending. IF YOU HAVEN'!T SEEN "LIMBO" DON'T READ THE REST OF THIS REVIEW. But it's a "brow-raiser." At the beginning of the movie we see salmon trapped in a river during spawing. Just like them we--the viewers--are in a state of limbo wondering the fates of the main characters.
I highly recommend "Limbo." Watching it has changed and enriched my life. (Good soundtrack too!_

An unleashing focus on the main characters is what I felt director John Sayles (Men With Guns, Passion Fish) was aiming for. This masterpiece is so lyrical in its photography - each frame of the film looks like an master work of art. And the title, LIMBO, fits the film perfectly. I had thought why it was called that, but somewhere in the beginning of the film I had grasped its meaning. This characters go throught their lives in a sort of life trap...a time loop...but through time...the painful events in their lives are always with them and they seem to relive them in the most crucial moments of their lives. The actress that interested most in the film is Vanessa Martinez. She plays Noelle DeAngelo with a air of tragic importance. Her pain is excruciating and self-evident and that is what makes the character so amiable. LIMBO reminds me of Piradello's classic SIX CHARACTERS IN SEARCH OF AN AUTHOR with its Mother-Daughter relationship. The scenes between Martinez and Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio (Donna DeAngelo) are well thought out and are easy to relate to by practically anyone who gives the film a chance. A visually stunning masterpiece on DVD, this edition also offers a theatrical trailer, surround sound options, subtitles for the hearing impaired which help out a lot with understanding the storyline, and an unforgetable audio commentary by director John Sayles.

This a pretty incredible film, so take my advice and don't let anyone else spoil its surprises if you haven't seen it. It's a quiet and strange film filled nevertheless with a lot of complexity, chills and heart. But part of its magic does lie in the suspense of simply wondering what will happen next, so keep yourself in the dark if you can before viewing.

That said, this is vintage John Sayles that at the same time explores new territory. Like most of his films, it seems at first to be more about character than plot -- but the plot rears its head, and as with "Lone Star," the story is unexpected and flawless. "Limbo" offers wonderful performances (especially those of the three leads), but it also boasts a knockout soundtrack (who knew Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio could sing?) and moments of quiet and eerie poignance. The ending will leave you thinking (and talking) for some time to come.

This DVD is one of the good ones, by the way -- no paltry "extras" of just a trailer or "more movies to buy!" And what a treat to actually get a chance to listen to Sayles on the commentary track -- unlike many commentaries, this one adds layers instead of stripping them. It's a hard film to forget.

Limbo is an excellent example of how a filmmaker can turn a story into a masterpeice. There is never a dull point in this film. All of the information is relevant to the plot, and most importantly it fits together. The best way to understand this film is to discuss it with a group of people after viewing it. The best part about this film is the ending. The endind truly lives up to its title and leaves you in limbo. It makes you think about the film and form your own conclusion. Currently I am studying film at school and all of my instructors have recommended this film and now I am recommending it to everyone I know.

It's a small film, but delightful and mercifully without characters yammering socio-political history back and forth at each other, it's a welcome departure for sayles. As much as i liked 'Lone Star and 'Men with Guns' i return to this one more often as the characters are more important than the discussion of issues in previous outings, and i dare say better dramatised.

As for the ending, i can't accept that it is 'cheesey' or a 'cop out', to me the inference is the 3 central characters are about to be butchered, i for one wouldn't like to see that or the appearance of the 'paul schrader convention' that it all ends in gun play with straitharn turning superman. And if they are rescued, well surely that is the most predictable and dishonest conclusion, what is resolved? the teenage girl is in dire straights and the drug dealers will surely settle their hash at some point afterwards? Besides, i'm sure many would think such a happy ending would be cheesey and a cop out and cetainly not justified, like a tv movie or studio ending to a fritz lang film. Hey we could have mary elizabeth hugging david, her smiling face raised above his head, freeze and slowly fade out. Like the poster says, Limbo, a state of unknowable outcome. I guess it is an ending that reads us rather than the other way round and i certainly prefer it to the utterly depressing and trite end to 'City of Hope' by the same director.