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11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
In the dark we're all scared..., March 27, 2005
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 *****
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9 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Rags to Riches,NO, Greek Tragedy,NO (minus one star because), October 18, 2002
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.
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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Heartbreaking, August 26, 2002
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.
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