Unhook the Stars (1997)

Actor turned director Nick Cassavetes, son of American independent godfather John Cassavetes, makes his directorial debut with this quietly unpredictable character piece written for Gena Rowlands. Left adrift when her willful daughter (Moira Kelly) leaves home, the polite, poised widow dotes over the darling 6-year-old son (Jake Lloyd of The Phantom Menace) of her foul-mouthed, working-class neighbor (Marisa Tomei). The girls form an unlikely friendship, and the easy way these opposites find a comfortable space is one of the film's pleasures, as is Rowlands's grandmotherly way with the boy and Gérard Depardieu's shy romancing of Rowlands. Cassavetes focuses on the rhythms and relationships of these people, and they make good company, sometimes at the expense of a meandering story, but ultimately the film belongs to Rowlands's middle-aged survivor, who learns to stop wrapping her life around others and start living for herself. --Sean Axmaker Amazon.com

I don't understand.....

I absolutely love this movie. Gena Rowlands really is at her BEST in this one. I just could not understand how they classified it as a comedy. I viewed it with a serious point of view. April 10, 2004

Lovely Character Study

The "mature" years are so often neglected in film, unless it's as the butt of a joke. Not here, however. The incomporable Gena Rowlands plays a character whose intelligence and self-possession seem an extension of Rowlands herself, making it a very good fit. Seeing a woman who has raised her children and is now searching for what to become is a refreshing storyline. Tomei adds marvelous support as the "white trash" neighbor, and I really appreciated how the director never gave us easy answers for these characters. Tomei never turns into a lady, and Rowlands never quite figures out where she is going: she merely decides to take the journey. The character of Tomei's son adds a touching poignancy to the story, highlighting Rowland's search for identity at this late stage in her life. This film doesn't jump up and tell you what it's about; it quietly presents Rowland's life and lets you figure it out--perhaps this requires a little more thinking than some viewers would like. Unlike other films that on first viewing seem obtuse, all the answers are there in "Unhook the Stars" if the viewer takes time to look for them. Every performance is subtly nuanced and adds to the theme (a good example is the luncheon scene with the adult son and his wife. Watch the subtle interplay between those two and you will know all you need to know abou their relationship-and why Rowlands chooses not to live with them.) This is a terrific film that can be enjoyed by thinking adults, and might particularly speak to men or women who have reached retirement age and are beginning to reevaluate their identity. September 23, 2003

Wonderful acting, touching movie

Gena Rowlands and Marisa Tomei star in this wonderful movie about two generation helping each other out through life lessons and love. Rowlands is a lonely lady who helps Tomei watch her little boy, and with that Rowlands comes alive again and the boy brings new meaning to her life. Jake Lloyd plays the little boy and he will tug at your heart strings so perfectly. Superbly acted by these fine Oscar winning ladies, this little-known movie is worth it. Sometimes funny, sad, touching, and honest, it tells the truth about what people can do for one another if we are not afraid to give it a try and look beyond ourselves. Unhook the Stars, be real to yourself and those around you, and don't be afraid to give it a chance. August 29, 2002

This is one of the most screwed up movies I've ever seen.

When I saw this movie with Gena Rowlands and Marisa Tomei on the cover, I thought it must be good! But in all honesty, it really sucks. It doesn't make any sense. And the character Marisa Tomei plays doesn't know too many more words than the "F" word. The only thing this movie will do is make you sad, for the little boy and the old lady (played by Gena Rowlands). January 19, 2001

SEE JAKE LLOYD CAN ACT

I WANTED TO SEE THIS MOVIE BECAUSE OF JAKE. HE CAN ACT AND IS A GOOD ACTOR I THOSE PEOPLE WHO HATED HIM IN EPIOSDE ONE SHOULD WATCH THIS. OH YEAH THE MOVIES PLOT IS GOOD TOO. April 18, 2000

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