The two most interesting characters are unfortunately given the least amount of screen time. Husband/father Charlie Bragg (Timothy Hutton) is suffering from Lyme disease. He has difficulty coping alone with an illness others don’t understand. He fools his wife into thinking he goes into the city to look for work, but instead smokes pot in the basement and takes target practice outside. Scott’s older brother Jimmy (played by older brother Kieran Culkin) is on leave from the military and offers Scott some help with all he is going through and confronts his father at an embarrassing night out at the local bar.
Lymelife ends with the sound of a gunshot over a black screen, leaving the audience to wonder if a character committed suicide, murder, or did the gun just fire. The ambiguity of the ending doesn’t add anything to the story or the thematic elements and appears to be the filmmakers trying to be clever by cheating rather than doing the hard work of creating a satisfying ending.
I am not sure what the NBFF saw in Lymelife to make it the opener. It was a pleasant enough experience with a few laughs and a number of well-known actors, but this film like too many others is rather forgettable. There’s no great scene of action or dialogue that stands out. Yes, there are good performances and serviceable direction, and the film will likely do well on cable, but if the NBFF want to make a name for themselves as a festival, they need to choose something bold and original.
Article comments
1 - Amy Stoody
The Newport Beach Film Festival was an amazing event, with 400 films from 45 different countries. I was at the festival and found the opening night comments to be appropriate and inspirational. Both Mayor Selich and Mr. Steinberg honored the volunteers - this is one of the only film festivals which is run almost entirely through volunteer efforts - and offered a brief history on the 10th anniversary of the Newport Beach Film Festival. I, for one, am grateful to Gregg Schwenk, Leigh Steinberg and the City of Newport Beach for their efforts and putting together a wonderful week!
2 - Aaron Peck
One of the few films I missed at Sundance. Sounds like it wasn't worth it.
3 - LA Injury Lawyer
What is a movie (or any story) without great characters? I mostly agree with your assessment, Bicho, but i have to add that Alec Baldwin rarely disappoints me and I enjoyed him in this role as well.