Moonlight Mile

Believe it or not, this is an upbeat story about grief and truth. The film follows four strong characters and their interaction after the accidental shooting death of a young woman, Diana Floss. It begins with her burial and her death is the basic plot problem.

This is a period piece set in the 1970s in a small Northeastern Massachusettss town on the coast. Diana is an innocent bystander in a restaurant when shooting starts. Her death is a tragedy but in its aftermath life goes on with its adjustments, stress, humor, romance and routine. All of that is in this story.

In addition to the title tune Moonlight Mile by the Rolling Stones, youll hear other 70s recorded music, original compositions played live by Hot Tuna and a chamber orchestra. Its also interesting to notice how the director uses telephone interruptions to increase the emotional tension.

Brad Silberling wrote and directed this film and the commentary about his work on the DVD is almost as interesting as the film itself. Similar to Shakespeare and other good playwrights and directors, he uses the expertise of his actors to shape the story and the dialog and to build the value of the story. He also treats the location and the music as characters therefore integrating actors, plot, venue and music into a single whole product. Silberling began directing TV series; LA Law (1986), Doogie Howser, M.D. (1989), NYPD Blue (1993), Felicity (1998) to name a few. This is his third film and his first screenplay. Hes a director to watch.

The primary protagonist in this story is Jake Gyllenhaal who plays Joe, Dianas fiance. Ellen Pompeo, plays the mail clerk, bartender and his love interest, Bertie Knox. Dustin Hoffman and Susan Sarandon play the parents, Ben and Jojo Floss and Holly Hunter has a small part as the attorney, Mona Camp. Its a very strong cast. Hoffman originally rejected the role, but later saw Silberings work and changed his mind.

Hoffman, Sarandon and Hunter are all known stars and it would be redundant to include more detail about them. Gyllenhaal appeared in The Good Girl (2002) as Justines love interest Holden and I first saw him in October Sky (1999). He has an innocence style of delivery that reminds me of Patrick Fugit in Almost Famous (2000). Pompeo is a newcomer. This is only her fifth film role and she was good. After this film she appears in Catch Me If You Can (2002) and Daredevil (2003).

Sarandon becomes her character so completely that I forgot her as a personality. Hoffman has too many unique and specific personal characteristics that come through and into his character. Its the only minor flaw that bothered me. Gyllenhaal and Pompeo where absolutely convincing with their chemistry. This is not a great film, but it is very, very good.

Reviewed April 2, 2003

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