Alma Mater (2000)
Since it is established in "Alma
Mater" early in the film that it is set in 1963 and
one of the main characters of the film is supposedly
JFK's college roommate, we have a pretty good idea
what one of the most important incidents in the film
might be. What we have no idea of knowing, however,
is how many desperate and engrossing areas this film
is going to go into.
Now, let me set a few things straight
right off the bat. I liked this film a lot. It has
a lot going for it and I will discuss some of those
things. Also, I would highly recommend seeing the
film before you read anything about it. This is a
film that is hard to talk about without discussing
some key elements of the film. I will try my best
to avoid to much disclosure, but it will be difficult.
All this being said, one of the
main problems of the film is just who is the focus
here. The is no clear-cut protagonist. And that makes
it hard for the film to have a center. Often director
Hans Canosa, working from a script by Gabrielle Zevin,
flip-flops around between the diverse yet inter- related
storylines here and loses momentum. Characters and
their storylines might be off the screen for five
or ten minutes before the film returns to them. It
does not help the film keep a cohesion.
But the storylines are so interesting,
the characters so unique and diverse and the tone
of the film so pitch perfect that it is easy to like
the film and to remain involved. And while this choppiness
might cause problems in other films, here it seems
that the oscillation between stories somewhat works
to a degree. There is nice pacing here and, again,
tone. There is a real interesting notion that this
film takes place somewhat on the brink. Perhaps it
is because we know what is coming that, when it does
come and when the film ends, we see what it has all
been building up to. This is a film set in a time
just before the world seemingly changed forever. Some
ideas in that notion are explored here in a way that
is so subtle, perhaps the casual viewer will not perceive
them. If you are fortunate enough to see the film,
consider what the diverse storylines are about. For
example, one that I can discuss which doesn't give
too much away... one of the ideas here is the way
in which women's lives are about to change. It's no
accident here that one of the plot points has a girl
seemingly about to be forced by her parents to marry
someone she does not love. Women's lives are just
on the brink of changing in the years that follow
1963. Now think about the other characters in the
film and their lifestyles and choices. Think of how
their lives might change in the 10 years that follow
this film. Again, it's no accident that one of the
characters is about to go to Berkley. There's some
really heady stuff in this film but it is explored
so subtly and so wonderfully by the script that, again,
you almost have to look for it. You will definitely
be thinking about it after the film is over.
The acting here is simply perfect.
Alexander Gaberman of "Spin City" makes a wonderful
turn to a more dramatic role in the film. He's flawless.
Character actor Will Lyman, who has of late made a
living as a narrator, is also wonderful as the aging
professor. Lyman and Gaberman have wonderful chemistry
here. Cady McClain, for years best known as Dixie
on "All My Children," is simply awesome as well. Her
early 60's housewife again is perfect at delineating
that "brink" that the film evokes. McClain proves
herself to be quite a talented actress and deserving
of much more film work. And the real find here is
Andrew van der Houten as Charlie Greene. If there
is any doubt, simply watch the one scene he shares
with McClain. It is nothing short of poignant perfection.
Yes, I'll be the first to admit
that this film has problems. But its strengths far
outweigh its weaknesses. The script is beautiful.
The direction is consummate. The period detail is
perfect. The acting is Oscar caliber and the tone
of the film is nothing short of haunting and meditative.
This is a film that will cause you to pause. And reflect
on just how much the world has changed in the last
30 years. That's something that everyone involved
in this piece should be quite proud of.
Notes:
For some reason this film is also
known as "The Living Room Waltz."
Filmed in 2000 at Harvard in Cambridge,
Massachusetts.
